Hi, friends…
This post is the continuation of “Connect Homepage, Thumbnails, Cover Photo, Aspect Ratio & its Importance” discussed in the previous post (Part -1) - Here:
Many of you may be knowing many of these points; I shall be happy if I’m able to share even one point; your feedback will help me to publish more tutorials in the future.
Here, we are discussing two topics:
A. Create 16:9 Images
B. Crop Images
A. Create 16:9 Images:
In this post, let us discuss some simple methods (there are many other ways also) to create images with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
1. Capturing 16:9 images using your mobile camera:
In most mobile cameras, the highest resolution is available in a 4:3 aspect ratio (‘Aspect Ratio’ is explained in the previous post - Here) and the cameras come in this resolution as default. However, most of the cameras offer a 16:9 aspect ratio, also.
To select the 16:9 aspect ratio: Open the Camera App → then go to the ‘Camera Settings’ - here, select 16:9 aspect ratio.
In the above collage, Image -1 shows the ‘Camera Setting’ icon on an opened camera screen. Images -2 & -3 show the selection option but from two different mobiles. (This screen may look different in other mobiles).
2. Using Applications:
- PowerPoint:
On PC:
Open the application → select the ‘Design’ menu → then the ‘Slide Size’ Menu → next select the ‘Widescreen 16:9’ option (sample image). Create your image and save it as JPG.
On Mobile:
Fortunately, the default aspect ratio is 16:9; so, you can open the app, create your image, and save it as JPG.
- Google Slide:
On PC:
Open ‘Google Slide’ → select the ‘File’ menu - then, scroll down (full page) → select the ‘Page Setup’ option (sample image) → select the ‘Widescreen 16:9’ option (sample image).
On Mobile:
Here too, the default aspect ratio is 16:9; so, you can open the App, create your image, and save it as JPG.
- Canva:
On PC:
Log in to Canva and click on the “Create a Design” menu; in the drop-down menu you will get the option “Presentation (16:9)” [sample image]. Create your design and save it as JPG.
On Mobile:
Install the App and open it; right on the first row of the menu, you will get the option “Presentation (16:9)” (sample image).
General:
In all the above cases, we have just created/selected the ‘Template/Canvas/Paper Size’ of 16:9 only. You have to add your graphics/clipart, photos, text, etc. to create the actual image (then ‘Save as’ JPG); create your first image by adding simple text, then add your photos, subsequently add graphics, etc. - practice makes you perfect.
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B. Crop Images to 16:9:
The benefit of manual cropping over the ‘Auto-cropping’ done by Connect.
(kindly read this post (Part -1) before proceeding - this will give you much better clarity).
You know that the first photo of your post is considered the ‘Cover Photo’ and is displayed on the home page as a ‘Thumbnail’ with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Photos with other aspect ratios will be automatically cropped to 16:9 (from the centre of your photo); the resulting thumbnail may not carry the required details or sometimes, be meaningless.
Solution:
Try to have a ‘Cover Photo’ captured in the ‘Landscape’ mode in a 16:9 aspect ratio; in case you have only a photo other than 16:9, then it is better to crop it manually - because, using manual cropping, we can select the best suitable part of your photo to be displayed as the thumbnail.
Consider this collage: The 1st image is auto-cropped (by the Connect) which renders it meaningless; whereas the manual cropping possibilities 2 & 3 definitely are better than the auto-cropping…right?
How to crop manually:
Any ‘Photo Editor’ can be used for manual cropping.
PC:
Almost all PCs will have some pre-installed editor and almost all editors can be used for manual cropping. I use a simple but efficient app FastStone Image Viewer, which is freeware. Install this app and open the image; move the mouse and the menu opens on the left side (sample image). Select ‘Crop Board’ → select 16:9 in the ‘Paper Ratio’ box (sample image), select the most suitable area of your photo & crop/save.
On mobile:
Almost all mobiles have pre-installed Editors and they can be used for this cropping; also, there are numerous free/paid editors in stores.
Hope this simple tutorial will be helpful to many LGs; in case you have any doubts, kindly tag me in the comments, please.
Experienced LGs:
More inputs are always welcome.
@PrasadVR @RaviSharma111 @HinalLad @Anannya_19 @AnubhaBangia @ModNomad @jakiripsc @Nachiket_methre @Trail_blazer @Prince_Kumar
