Maximize Your Image Size with These 3 Essential Techniques

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Technique 1: Changing the Composition with Crop Tool
   1. Increasing the Size of the Background
   2. Filling in the Blank Areas with Content-Aware Fill
3. Technique 2: Changing the Composition with Content-Aware Scale
   1. Increasing or Decreasing the Background Size
   2. Using the Protect Skin Tones Option
4. Technique 3: Changing the Composition with Lightroom
   1. Cropping the Image in Lightroom
   2. Merging Images with Photo Merge Properties
5. Bonus Technique: Creating a Fake Skirting Board
   1. Adding a New Layer and Drawing an Oblong Shape
   2. Adding Highlights and Shadows for Depth and Dimension
   3. Applying Layer Mask for a Seamless Blend
6. Conclusion

Changing the Composition of Your Photographs

In this article, we will explore three different techniques for changing the composition of your photographs. Whether you want to increase the size of the background, Create a square crop for Instagram, or add a fake skirting board to fill in gaps, these techniques will help you transform your images and create captivating compositions.

Technique 1: Changing the Composition with the Crop Tool

Increasing the Size of the Background

Often, due to space limitations during a photoshoot, we may not be able to capture the entire subject and background in the desired composition. In such cases, we can use the Crop Tool to increase the size of the background and give our image more breathing space.

1. Unlock the layer containing the image.
2. Select the Crop Tool and choose a one-to-one square aspect ratio.
3. Hold down the Shift key and drag the corners to increase the size of the background.
4. Press Enter to Apply the crop.
5. Use the Content-Aware Fill feature to fill in the transparent pixels on the sides.

Filling in the Blank Areas with Content-Aware Fill

If the Crop Tool leaves transparent pixels on the sides, we can use the Content-Aware Fill feature to automatically fill those areas with content from the image.

1. Make a selection of the empty areas on the sides using the Rectangular Marquee Tool.
2. Go to the Edit menu and choose Content-Aware Fill.
3. Modify the settings to indicate which parts Photoshop can use to fill the blank areas.
4. Click OK and Photoshop will fill in the blank areas with content from the image.
5. Flatten the image to complete the composition change.

Technique 2: Changing the Composition with Content-Aware Scale

Increasing or Decreasing the Background Size

Content-Aware Scale is a powerful tool that allows us to resize the background while keeping the main subject's proportions intact. This technique is useful when we want to change the composition without affecting the subject's appearance.

1. Unlock the layer containing the image.
2. Select the Content-Aware Scale tool and hold down the Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows) key.
3. Drag to the left to increase the background size or to the right to decrease it.
4. Review the preview to ensure that the background is growing while the subject remains unaffected.
5. Click OK to apply the changes.

Using the Protect Skin Tones Option

In some cases, using the Protect Skin Tones option can help preserve the subject's skin while resizing the background. However, it's essential to check the results carefully, as this option may not always yield the desired outcome.

1. Enable the Protect Skin Tones option in the options bar.
2. Use the Content-Aware Scale tool to resize the background.
3. Observe how the background grows while the subject's skin tones remain protected.
4. Evaluate the results and compare them with and without the Protect Skin Tones option.

Technique 3: Changing the Composition with Lightroom

Cropping the Image in Lightroom

Lightroom offers a convenient way to crop an image and adjust the composition before exporting it. This technique is especially useful when You want to quickly make square crops for platforms like Instagram.

1. Open the image in Lightroom.
2. Select the Crop tool and drag to create a square crop.
3. Adjust the crop to exclude unwanted areas and focus on the subject.
4. Click Done to apply the crop.

Merging Images with Photo Merge Properties

If you have multiple images that you want to blend together and adjust the composition, you can use Lightroom's Photo Merge feature.

1. Import the images into Lightroom and select the ones you want to merge.
2. Right-click on the selected images and choose Photo Merge.
3. Select Merge to Panorama in Photoshop from the options.
4. Lightroom will open Photoshop and automatically blend the images together.
5. Customize the blend by selecting the desired layout in the Photo Merge properties.

Bonus Technique: Creating a Fake Skirting Board

Adding a New Layer and Drawing an Oblong Shape

If you need to fill gaps between the background and floor in your image, you can create a fake skirting board using Photoshop.

1. Add a new blank layer on top of the layer stack.
2. Zoom in on the area where you want to create the skirting board.
3. Use the Rectangular Marquee Tool to draw an oblong shape.
4. Fill the shape with a 50% gray color.

Adding Highlights and Shadows for Depth and Dimension

To make the fake skirting board appear more realistic, we can add highlights and shadows to create the illusion of shape, depth, and dimension.

1. Select the Dodge and Burn Tool from the toolbar.
2. Use the Dodge Tool to add highlights on one side and the Burn Tool to add shadows on the other side of the skirting board.
3. Vary the size of the highlights and shadows for a more natural look.

Applying Layer Mask for a Seamless Blend

To seamlessly blend the fake skirting board with the image, we can use a layer mask.

1. Ensure that both the skirting board and the subject are selected.
2. Add a layer mask while holding the Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows) key.
3. The skirting board will now appear to go behind the subject, creating a convincing composition.

Conclusion

With these three techniques for changing the composition of your photographs, you can enhance your images and create unique visuals. Whether you need to resize the background, crop for specific platforms, or add elements to fill in gaps, these techniques will help you achieve your desired results. Experiment with different tools and explore the possibilities to unleash your creativity in photography.

Highlights:

• Three techniques for changing the composition of your photographs
• Using the Crop Tool to increase the size of the background
• Filling in blank areas with Content-Aware Fill
• Resizing the background with Content-Aware Scale
• Protecting skin tones while resizing the background
• Changing the composition in Lightroom using cropping and photo merging
• Creating a fake skirting board to fill gaps
• Adding highlights and shadows for depth and dimension
• Applying a layer mask for a seamless blend
• Enhancing your images and unleashing your creativity in photography

FAQ

Q: Can I use these techniques on any Type of photograph?

A: Yes, these techniques can be applied to any photograph, regardless of the subject or genre. However, the effectiveness of each technique may vary depending on the specific image and desired outcome.

Q: Are these techniques reversible?

A: Yes, all the changes made using these techniques can be adjusted or undone as they are applied non-destructively. You can always revert to the original image or modify the composition further as needed.

Q: Do I need to have advanced Photoshop skills to use these techniques?

A: While some basic knowledge of Photoshop tools and functions is helpful, these techniques can be learned and applied by photographers of all skill levels. Following the step-by-step instructions will guide you through the process, and with practice, you can master these techniques and make them part of your photographic toolkit.