Creative pages begin with cropping. Creative Memories consultant Nanci Bottcher demonstrates cropping techniques and offers tips that will make the most of cherished photographs. - Avoid cropping heritage photos -- ones taken before 1950 (figure A). These photographs were printed on fiber-based paper and have no resin coating to protect them during cropping. When cropped, the edges will fray and become fuzzy, causing the photos to begin deteriorating.
- Photos taken with instant cameras shouldn't be cropped. These photos are a composite of 23 different layers that will separate and peel apart when cut.
- Avoid cropping artistic elements (figure B) from photographs, such as an antique car, historic architecture or things that indicate place, time or mood.
- Don't crop photos that indicate perspective, such as a person sitting near a large vista, canyon or monument
- Bottcher advises the use of a personal trimmer (figure C) to create straight edges, or a corner rounder (figure D) to soften corners and create a unique look.
- Use a ruler, pencil and scissors to crop empty spaces or landscapes.
- Trace around a mug for circular pictures, or use a clear template. When using a template, use a slightly larger template at first, so that content isn't lost.
- People can be removed from unattractive backgrounds through the use of "silhouetting" or cutting around people's outlines (figure E) to eliminate the background.
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