Finished PrintsIntroductionYou may not need to use the entire image in a photograph. You should knowhow to select portions of or scale photographs inside and outside thedarkroom.CroppingCropping is the procedure of defining a desired image area within a largerimage area. Crop photographs when the original image contains moreinformation than desired and select a specific portion of the image to enhancethe finished print. Photographs may be cropped in the darkroom or outsideof the darkroom.Cropping in theTo crop photographs in the darkroom requires a negative. The negative isdarkroomnecessary to project and enlarge the image before exposure to paper. Placethe negative in the enlarger and raise the enlarger head until the selectedportion of the image appears in the desired size on the print frame. Turn offthe light in the enlarger, place the print paper in the print frame, and expose.The developed print will be cropped as you desired. One of the advantagesof cropping in the darkroom is less paper waste. A disadvantage of croppingin the darkroom is that by increasing the image in the enlarger, grain alsoincreases in the print and lessens resolution.Croppingoutside of thedarkroomIndicating cropmarksIf you have been given prints to work with instead of negatives, you mayhave to crop images outside of the darkroom. A simple method of croppinginvolves two pieces of white cardstock, each cut in an “L” shape. Bymaneuvering these two pieces of angled paper, called cropping arms, youmay frame the desired portion of the image in many ways. If possible,mount photographs on cardstock. Place the cropping arms on the image andmove them until you have framed the desired portion. Indicate crop markson the cardstock border.Indicate crop marks on photographs by lightly marking the borders aroundthe photograph, marking an overlay attached to the print, or cutting awindow in opaque masking paper to expose the desired portion of the print.If you must mark on photographs, use a grease pencil so that the marks maybe easily removed. Do not mark more than one set of crop marks on animage.Continued on next page7-44
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