How to · 6 min
Crop, straighten, and correct perspective
Clarify the composition without confusing crop ratio and output size.
A crop changes the photograph’s composition. A layout canvas changes its presentation. Begin with the former: decide what belongs in the picture before choosing a border or print layout.
The method
Step by step.
- Open Crop and choose Original or a ratio such as 3:2, 4:5, or 1:1. Adjust the crop around the subject.
- Use Angle Tool and drag along a horizon or a vertical reference. Alternatively, use Rotate for a small angle correction.
- Use Rotate 90° or the flip controls only when the composition calls for them.
- For architecture, make small Vertical or Horizontal Perspective moves. Amount controls the correction strength; Aspect changes the resulting proportions.
- Inspect every edge. The constrained crop keeps the result inside the photograph, so stronger geometry corrections cost usable image area.
Keep this close
Control reference.
- Crop ratio
- A shape constraint, not a pixel-resolution preset.
- Perspective
- Bounded correction of converging lines.
- Reset Perspective
- Remove the keystone correction.
- Reset Crop
- Return the crop to its starting state.
Closer to the controls
See the settings, not a reconstruction.
This detail is cropped from the real application capture above. Click to enlarge, then choose actual pixels to inspect the labels and sliders.
At your own pace
Try it.
Use the cottage’s doorframe as a vertical reference, while checking that nearby tree trunks still look believable.
Watch for
A perfect rectangle is not always the right interpretation of a building. Overcorrection can stretch objects and remove too much of the frame.
Monochrome Lab Pro workflow guide. Interface details may evolve. Example settings are creative starting points, not automatic corrections.