Avoid Cropping at Limbs, Losing Fingers, Etc.

This is one of those things that make people uncomfortable when they look at an image, even if they can’t articulate what it is they don’t love about the photo (but, sometimes they’ll tell you straight-up, “Too bad you cut off her fingers”). When you’re framing up your photo (or cropping it later in the Photos app) be careful not to cut off digits or crop off anyone near any joints. For example, don’t crop at the knees. Go well above the knee when you frame your shot for a more natural-looking shot. Also, don’t cut your subject off at the ankles (leaving them without feet), and don’t cut off the ends of their feet, or any toes, etc. Another place not to crop: right at the elbow. Either go well above the elbow or well below it when you’re framing up your shot, but don’t go so low that you cut them off at the wrist (another big no-no; as seen above left). Stay away from the joints (as seen above right), and keep all their digits and toes intact, and you’ll sidestep something that could potentially ruin a great portrait.