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Shoot wider than you need

March 22, 2025 in journal

Whenever I have a composition I like framed in my camera, before pressing the shutter I like to either zoom out, or take a step back.

While you can always crop in post (especially with a high-resolution camera), you can never “zoom out” after the fact.

By shooting wider than I need, I give myself room to fine-tune the framing later. Sometimes, I realize the composition needs more negative space; other times, a slight shift left/right, or up/down, makes for a stronger image.

Whenever possible, give your future self some wiggle room to experiment in post. They’ll thank you.

Tags: composition, camera gear, photography
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