38 | MACFORMAT | DECEMBER 2019 macformat.com @macformatCrop and recompose
How to improve composition and remove unwanted objects
iT will TAke
15 minutesyOu will leARn
How to use the
Crop, Straighten
and Content-Aware
Move toolsyOu’ll need
Adobe Photoshop
Elements 2019/2020it can be a challenge to capture
a well-composed shot. Without
a telephoto lens your subject may
look too small in the frame. You
may accidentally tilt the camera and create a
sloping horizon. And you can’t always control
the presence of unwanted people or objects
in the background of your photo.
Fortunately, Photoshop Elements has a
collection of powerful pixel-pushing tools to
help you overcome common composition
problems and improve your pictures.In this walkthrough, we’ll show you how
to straighten tilted horizons and crop to focus
closer on your subject. You’ll learn how to use
the intelligent Content-Aware Move tool to
quickly reposition an object for a more
balanced arrangement.
We’ll finish off with tips on removing ugly
objects, such as hanging electricity cables,
courtesy of the Spot Healing Brush and the
Clone Stamp tool. You’ll then be able to create
cleaner and more considered images.
George CairnsHow to Crop and straighten >
1
Straighten tool
Open your photo in the Expert
mode. In this example, our subject is
too small in the frame and the horizon
is tilted. Pick the Straighten tool, then
in the Options bar, tick the Rotate All
Layers and Autofill Edges boxes.2
Measure the tilt
Drag the Straighten tool along the
tilted horizon. This measures and then
counteracts the angle of the tilt, creating
a straight horizon. Any transparent
edges are automatically filled with
appropriate pixels of sea and sand.3
Crop and zoom
Grab the Crop tool. In the Options
bar, choose Use Photo Ratio to preserve
the shot’s shape. Draw a crop box. Drag
the corner handles to tighten the box
and zoom in on the subject. Drag inside
the box to recompose the shot.PART 3 OF 4BeFORe AFTeR