BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Ben F

re-sizing digital pics

Hey all,

I been taking some cool pics with my new 30d and 100mm macro, and im thinking some of them would look really nice being SQUARE, instead of the rectangle shape.

Is there a way to make the image square and retain the full frame, or is it just a matter of cropping and losing some of the image.
Whichever it is, can someone pretty please try explain to me how I might do this using photoshop?

thanku so much :)

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March 16, 2006

Paul Tobeck

Unfortunately, you'll have to crop the image to attain a square format. When you shoot new images, keep in mind the square format you like, and take 2 versions of the image, 1 normal and 1 zoomed out a little more (or in your case, back off a little) keeping your main subject in the center of the frame. This gives you a little more leeway so you can crop off the edges and have a square image.

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March 16, 2006

Ben F

Thanks paul...

Im just wondering now HOW I do it? To get a perfectly square sized image????

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March 16, 2006

Dan Smith

in photoshop elements 2.0 you click on the shape tool then click the polygone a drop down will appear and ask how many sides type 4 and then click on the image and drag the + it will make a perfect square....

if you try to use the rectangle box/looking thing it will dirve you crazy trying to even it up....
hope this helps..

D.J.

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March 16, 2006

Paul Tobeck

In the newer versions of Photoshop (7-CS2) and Elements (3,4) you would open the crop tool, then up at the top of the window is an options bar. You can enter the specific size you want the square to be, 8x8, 10x10 etc. Then, when you drag out the crop tool it will stop at the size you specified. You would then just position the new crop box where you desire, and click on the check mark in the options bar. Hint, unless you want to resize you're image when you crop it, leave the resolution box empty.

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March 17, 2006

Craig m. Zacarelli

hi ben, my suggestion would be to trade me your 30D and lens for my 350D and then you can have square shots... ( shhhh, dont tell him the 350 D wont take square shots, I just dont wanna wait for the 30D to come to the USA..lol)
Just kidding Ben. Yeah, what Paul T said...the only way, if you just re-size and use a square dimension, youll distort your shot to death!
you can "Pull" back as you shoot so you can square crop later and not lose any of the subject.
hows that set up? 30D and 100MM macro? its what im wanting too!
Craig-

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March 18, 2006

Ben F

Hey craig, IM LOVING IT!!!

my first REAL digital and its taken a bit of getting used to from using a film rangefinder (xpan)..

I got the 100mm macro and the 14ex ring lite flash and handgrip, and it is one big unit!!!
Very solid, quite heavy, but feels comfortable and very well balanced....
Im gonna try upload a pic so see how we go...

This is after 2 days of using :)