5 min read
2026-02-14
In portraits, leave more space to the side where the person is looking. This creates a feeling of depth.
Leading lines (roads, fences, rivers) should lead the viewer's eye to the main object. Take them into account when pruning.
Don't limit yourself to standard 4:3 or 16:9. Sometimes a 2.35:1 panoramic crop creates a cinematic effect.
A tight crop in a portrait can be more expressive than a full-length shot. The main thing is not to cut at the joints.
Always work from a copy. Cropping is irreversible - the original may be needed for another format.
| Problem | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Portrait for social network | 1:1, tight crop |
| Landscape for the site | 16:9, Rule of Thirds |
| Product for catalog | 1:1, centering |
| Cover | 2:1, left emphasis |
See also: Image filters, Image compression