Avoid Cropping... And Try This Instead (Photoshop)

Matt's Photoshop System Course: mattk.com/phot...
Sometimes the Aspect Ratio of your photos doesn't match the ratio in which you want to print or share it online. In this tutorial, I'll cover some tips on how to extend your photo's edges in Photoshop using Content Aware Fill and other methods.

[@SteveStrummerUK]

Interesting stuff Matt. There is a #4 method that should work for increasing the 'height' of a sky in some images (but as with all these types of corrections, probably only when used in moderation). Using Photoshop's ever-improving 'Select Sky' feature, one should able to split the image into two layers - one with just the foreground and the other with just the sky. First ensure the sky layer is below the foreground layer, then create the canvas size you want to print at. Now using the transform tool on the sky layer, constrain-expand it until it meets the top of the new canvas size. Alternatively (for arguable better quality), scale the foreground down until the correct canvas ratio is achieved. I think of this method as very much like the 'Sky Replacement' tool in PS, only you're using the actual original sky from the image.

[@carriehannigan6480]

This is exactly what I needed to hear...sometimes the methods work (with some more editing) and other photos just can't be changed without noticeable differences from the original. For those who want prints of my photos, I thought there was a secret way to get the exact same photo to print at a different aspect ratio and I just didn't know the secret. This became a big question for me when I wanted to sell my prints and offer buyers a five different ratio sizes to choose from...each ratio needs to be a little different in order to print edge-to-edge with the print. I appreciate you affirming this reality (and that it isn't a secret or magic for just the professionals).

[@debramercaldo4945]

Excellent recap of these methods. Still refer back to your Photoshop System when I get stuck somewhere. Thanks Matt!

[@MattKloskowski]

Happy to help!

[@robertputtock9767]

I'm finally getting back into CC learning curve after a long serious illness. Found this Tip email and wish to say: super good job Matt, loved the great tips. Keep them coming, Robert P.

[@joelwexler]

Been there. When laying bed, KZbin is my savior. Wireless trackball, onscreen keyboard, all I need is a couple fingers to work.

[@dinsiep]

Great to know the different options available. Many thanks, Matt.

[@alanm.6096]

A very good demonstration and one I have book marked. For those not using PS, there is another way to 'crop' your photo when using an outside service like a Costco for printing. The Costco site actually allows you to send your full, original jpeg or Tiff file and then 'crop' it within a window that provides the right aspect ratio for the print you want. So lets say you want 11x14 print...you tell the site thats the print size, you visualize the image within the provided viewing box, and simply move it around in the box until the composition meets your needs. True, you may lose out on getting the perfect composition that you intended for the print, but it is easy and quick and doesn't require PS to fill in edges. In fact, it would be great if the pro shops offered the same capability as an option.

[@MattKloskowski]

Hi Alan. Most online print services offer something similar. But cropping the photo to fit the aspect ratio is exactly the opposite of why I created this video :-)

[@rogeriolemos7331]

In the first photo, the landscape, i'll align to the bottom (trees are tricky) and using content aware only in the sky. I think no need to work top and bottom always, align the top, work on the bottom, or vice versa. Sometimes both. Nevertheless, Nice Tut as usually. Cheers, and thanks!

[@sclarkaz]

I'm a production graphic designer and must add bleeds to most customer supplied art. I alfready use your first technique a lot. Content-aware fill was a godsend. But I really appreciated learning about content-aware scale. There are so many times being able to drag out the background would be the right solution, so thanks. As far as the cut and paste technique, i use that for gallery wraps to allow all of the image on the stretcher and still have a reflected image on the edge. I wouldnt use it for bleeds, however,

[@wRAAh]

Great advise to 'shoot loose' and allow cropping afterwards. In the photo of the cat, I made a copy of the grass part on the bottom right, next to the paw and below the whiskers, and pasted that in a new layer. Then scaled that layer with a bit of overlap and did a rough erase on the seam, leaving the paw intact. That filled the bottom. Then I did the same for the top part: copied the full width above the cat's ears and shift-scaled that up a bit, but stopped before it started to look unnatural. After that, I only had to scale up the merged layers a little bit. In this way, I had to crop the image way less than you had to.

[@mrdennischapman]

*** Always love your videos and greatly appreciate them. I have found an alternate way that I think works (on the first 3 photos) better than the methods you use. There is no right or wrong way...just other options and ways of doing it. At time 5:34 after you copied the selection at the top of the photo rather than moving it and flipping it I left it in place and then used the transform tool to slightly stretch it. And that worked perfectly because clouds are not a certain size and it precludes a repeating pattern. I used the same method for the original girl in the bed of the truck and it really worked well. Just wanted to pass along this suggestion. Have a Blessed Day.

[@SusanmolnarPhotography]

Great information and presentation, as always, Matt! Thanks!

[@NickNoblePhotography]

Awesome. Can’t wait to get home and try this!!

[@MattKloskowski]

Have fun!

[@rolsonn]

Thanks Matt; good stuff and yes, I learned a couple of things!

[@jeans5558]

Thank you Matt, good tips and tutorial as always.

[@gyrgrls]

This might work for some agricultural photos. One could have a lot of fun uploading crop shares.

[@lynneroberts4854]

Very helpful thank Matt. Another great tutorial, as always 🙏.

[@dorispage9361]

This tutorial was very helpful!

[@chipcurry]

Excellent tutorial. Good explanation, good examples, A+! Oh yes and one more thing not a lot of extra words. Many KZbin videos get way too wordy.

[@aaronperkinson8314]

Thank you. Great tutorial.

[@andersphansson8335]

Great video new to me, must try. Q, last one with the cat how did y activate photo so you could crop?

[@BABBRANTECH]

Good Information, Thanks.

[@leniehulse1621]

Great tutorial. You said cropping when in fact you were stretching the photo? To crop means to cut off a part of something.

[@MattKloskowski]

Hi…. That was still considered cropping the photo. Just because you don’t use a tool named “crop” doesn’t mean it’s not cropping. By fitting the photo into the 11x14 space, it cut off part of the image which is cropping.

[@SinaFarhat]

That was great information!

[@tomdewittefoto6701]

make the selection you want to use to fill up the space (then command-j (put it on the next layer)) then command-T (free transform) then drag the lower controll point up so it fills the whole space. Flatten to the lower layer. If there are any anoying mirror-like spaces. drag them away (wisely) with the patch tool. It works like a charm ;) This is when you want to fill the upper space, if you want to fill the lower space, just do the opposite ;)This is my method, but of course there is no absolute one ;)

[@cnicolo]

Lovely … “is not gonna put a new cat”…. ❤️

[@isoawe1888]

Great info as always Matt. Reddish Egret at North beach? 😊

[@TheZ3roCool]

When you stretched the image up in 3rd one it still cropped the edges out (lost image) If you hold space down when you drag the image up and the bottom down the image does not crop at all.

[@stevenholt824]

Cameras have been around all my 60yrs of life unlike social media, pity the inventors of social media didn't take photographic formats into account .

[@Pandybelly]

When you used the content aware scale option, did that not crop the photo as if you transformed the image to fill the available space? I don't think that's a valid option.

[@MattKloskowski]

Hi… It did not. No part of the photo was removed.

[@Pandybelly]

@@MattKloskowski Did it not stretch the photo so the width changed, essentially "zooming in"? It didn't just add to the top and bottom, it moved the sides outside the edge of the frame. My query could [possibly be worded better.

[@MattKloskowski]

Hi. I'm not entirely sure what you're asking. But either way, the tutorial shows some ways to add to the area and fill the empty space. Give them a try and if it works for you - great! At that point it won't matter what word you use to describe it.

[@chrisdrew4530]

@@MattKloskowski You can see both the mountain and the bird changing position in the frame as you scale. You could avoid that by making a rectangular selection across the sky (in the mountain pic) and then hold shift & grab the top middle of the selection - you will only stretch the pixels within in the selection. No need to use the protect selection feature then either.

[@bradwgaines]

Hey Matt! I know it’s not your normal thing do this but I thought I’d ask! Could u do a desk tour of your office/setup? I see all the drives in the background. Might be a cool video to do. Anyways love your vids man!

[@jeffellis6544]

Second that request. Also- which display are you currently using? I know this is off topic, but I have to make a decision soon on a new one... thx!

[@MattKloskowski]

Hi. I’ll do one but it’s super simple. One drive for photos and the other is a backup (using carbon copy). One drive for my work stuff/video courses and the other is a backup. Tour complete :-) Joking aside, great idea. It’ll be super short and quick but definitely a fun idea. Thanks

[@bradwgaines]

Yea and maybe mention those sound proof things U have on the wall too. Those are slick

[@gillianrobertson3917]

thank you

[@waldoh027]

Great!!

[@LarryFasnacht]

I’ve never used content aware scale. Interesting.

[@grega9220]

Similarly,... If I have an image that is 4800x7200 pixels @300dpi (i.e. 16"x"24") and want to print it on 8"x12", do you rezise in PS for the smaller? Namely, is there any benefit keeping it larger or making git smaller?

[@MattKloskowski]

Hi. It doesn’t really matter. You won’t get any reduced quality print if you print a photo that’s larger in PPI.

[@tomdewittefoto6701]

content aware cropping could also be a great tool

[@jpaden8515]

Either I missed a few videos, or did you get new frames?

[@MattKloskowski]

Last year :-)

[@pdschu6599]

The content aware scale looks to me the same as cropping. you lose some of the sides of the image with both techniques.

[@MattKloskowski]

Hi. It is not the same. It will fill the blank areas with similar texture/pixels - rather than forcing you to crop those areas out.

[@TrevorMatthews]

I was going to say the same. I can see the genius of the tool, but you are still cropping out a little information

[@pdschu6599]

The sides look cropped to me.

[@charlescecil7213]

Looks interesting but I couldn't duplicate the operation because you lost me at the beginning with "I created a new document..." I opened an image having a 2x3 aspect ratio (actually 12 x 18 inches), went to Image, Image Size, entered 16x20 to get the 4x5 aspect, but never got the white bands at top and bottom that you got. Don't know how to get the white, empty space above and below, so couldn't do the next step, "...just pasted in their photo." A little more help at the beginning and I would have been able to try your various methods.

[@MattKloskowski]

Hi. I pasted in the photo and fit it into the space available with free transform.