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Cropping photos in Photoshop


Jacki

Jacki

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I'm trying to crop a picture for a website I'm doing don't really like the rectangle crop (too boxy) and the client doesn't really like the oval. I mean, they like it alright, but they were wondering if I could do it any other shape...but I don't know how and was hoping to find someone who did and could help me.

Also, I do all my work on my laptop, so I just have a touchpad. I don't know if this will affect anyone's suggestions....

Thanks!
 
Or you could use the eraser and make it what ever shape you want, then save it as .png to keep the transparency of the edges. I only use my touchpad, and have never been hindered, though I do have a mouse that I can not be bothered plugging in.
 
OK...I will have to try those. Part of the problem is I don't have a lot of space to work with - the photographer zoomed in pretty close, so there's not really a lot of extra to work with on the edges. That and I don't really know what shape they want it. But thank you for the suggestions!

EDIT: SpruceMagoo - you did that with your eraser!? Wow... that's really neat!
 
If you use the polygon tool to select what you want, copy and paste that selection, it will show in a new layer, and just hide the background.
 
Also - how do you manage to make a straight line with your touchpad? Mine are always shaky...
 
Im using cs4, but I'm sure there similar enough.

On thew left hand toolbar where the brush and paint icons are, the third icon from the top should be a lasso tool. You cam right click to choose which one you want.

Also straight line are easier with bigger brushes, and I've had a lot of practice.
 
Spruce: OK, thank you!! I'll give that a try!

KRF: I'm not sure that's exactly what I'm looking for in this instance, but that is really neat, and definitely something I'll try messing with, so thank you for sharing it!
 
You want to make a crop right? That means you want some parts to be deleted. (just making sure I am getting you).
Okay, so what you do is :
° 1st, make a copy of the original. Always the 1st thing to do in any photshopping/manipulation work.
° Make a selection. Of any shape. Marquee tool, lasso tool, pen tool, anything.
° If you want to use Custom Shapes, then 1st draw the shape on the layer. You will now have a shape on a new layer (in black is that the foreground color) & the new layer will be named Shape 1. You will see a colored box & another box with a thumbnail of your custom shape.
° Ctrl + (Lt.) click on that thumbnail. You will see the custom shape selected (marching ants).
° Now hit Delete.
° You will see the Shape 1 layer gets deleted but the marching ants selection still remains.
° Select the Rectangular Marquee Tool (shortcut M) and then Right Click on the selection.
° Then, Layer Via Copy. You have the shape cropped out on a new layer.

I have attached a set of images showing the process.
1.-Copy.jpg2.-Custom-Shape.jpg3.-Select.jpg4.-Marching-Ants.jpg5.-Layer-Via-Copy.jpg7.-Cropped.jpg

I tried my best to explain. if you have any problems, please let me know.
Good luck! :)

-DMB
 

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Actually there is an even easier way, goto the Shape tool select the shape you want, set the shape mode to Path, make your shape, goto Paths, right click, Make Selection and wala!!
 
Dezigns Unlimited said:
Actually there is an even easier way, goto the Shape tool select the shape you want, set the shape mode to Path, make your shape, goto Paths, right click, Make Selection and wala!!
Click to expand...

Didn't know this. Thanks.
IMO, it's slightly complicated than my method., but hey, the more complicated steps you use, the more professional you look! :wink:
 
Nothing is complicated, by the time you try and make your shape perfect, you can already have your selection cut and done imho.. Of course i don't know your skill level, but my method is fairly beginner level stuff.. It's all about knowing the tools and how to use them.. I can't stress enough how important it is to learn what every tool does!!
 
Thanks guys!! I love these ideas - and they sound like a ton of fun to try. However, I'm still running into the problem of not having enough space. I will post the picture, so that you can see what I'm talking about. Maybe I'm just too beginner as of yet to figure it out....

familyphotosm.jpg

I having trouble not cutting heads off.... :confused:
 
Well, not really. I have it cropped in an oval right now, and they asked if I could do a 'different crop.' So....I'm trying to come up with a creative crop. I've considered removing them from the background, so that it's just the people standing in my header...and a few other things, but haven't really come up with anything that 'wows' me that I can do....

I do have the site uploaded to a temporary location, if it would help to see where it's going.
 
I have it cropped in an oval right now - they don't really care for it, though. I hadn't thought about a drop shadow - that might look really good... thanks!
 
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