Ste p by ste p Crop rotation

From portraits to landscapes, the Crop Overlay tool can be used to improve all sorts of photos

01 Use a preset crop

Import TYLR33.dng into Lightroom’s Library. In Quick Develop you can use the Crop Ratio menu to apply preset crops. Some of these (such as 5x7) subtly change the photo’s shape. Others (such as 1x1, or square), make a dramatic change.

04 Create a portrait crop

Click the Crop Overlay icon to reveal the Crop Frame tool’s overlay. Drag the top-left handle up to the right, and the overlay will change to a portrait orientation. Drag the corner handles to create a tighter crop and hide the distractions on the left. Click Done.

02 Choose an overlay

For more control, take the photo into the Develop module. Click on the Crop Overlay icon on the left of the tool panel. You can summon different overlays to help you crop subjects. Go to Tools> Crop Guide Overlay and explore the options.

05 Create a crop Snapshot

Go to the Snapshots panel. Click on the + icon. Name the new image and click on Create. It will appear in the Snapshots panel. Click on the Crop Overlay icon. Click on the As Shot dropdown and choose 1x1. Click Done. Create a new Snapshot. You can toggle between the versions.

03 Create a landscape crop

Make sure the padlock icon is in a locked position so the cropped photo retains its original shape. Drag the top-left handle of the Crop Frame tool to remove the lamp. Drag inside the overlay to show more of the model’s head. Click Done.

06 Straighten an image

Import TYLR24.dng and take it into the Develop module. Click on the Crop Overlay icon. Choose Tools>Crop Guide Overlay>Grid. Click on the Straighten tool icon. Draw a line that follows the tilted horizon. The tool will rotate the overlay to counteract the tilt. Click Done to crop.