3 Practical Ways to Help You Crop a Picture in Mac

Did you know 3.2 billion images are uploaded on the internet each day? The first and foremost priority is its accurate aspect ratio to make your picture stand out. You can achieve it through cropping. For Mac users, cropping images is a fundamental skill that enhances the visual impact of their work. This article delves into various methods to crop Mac images using built-in tools like Preview and Photos. It explores the capabilities of the free online platform, such as CapCut. Whether you're a professional designer or looking to improve your photos, this guide offers valuable insights and step-by-step instructions to crop image in Mac.

What's best to do before cropping on a Mac

1. Make a copy

Before altering any image, it's wise to create a backup. This simple step can save you from irreversible changes or accidental loss of the original file. On a Mac, duplicating an image is straightforward. Select the image and press Command + D. This creates a copy, allowing you to experiment with cropping and other edits without risk to your original photo. Keeping a backup is fundamental in image editing, ensuring you always have the original to return to if needed.

2. Adjust before you crop

Optimizing your image before cropping can significantly enhance the final result. Adjusting elements like lighting, contrast, and color balance can bring out the best in your photo. On a Mac, these adjustments can be made using tools like Preview or the Photos app. By tweaking these settings, you ensure that the area of the image you choose to focus on is displayed in the best possible light. This step is crucial if the photo is underexposed or overexposed, as it allows you to correct these issues before focusing on the composition.

3. Make some changes

Personalizing with edits before you crop image in Mac transforms everything. It could involve applying filters, adjusting saturation, or even adding annotations. These edits can be done using Mac's built-in tools or other photo editing software. The idea is to bring your creative vision to the forefront, ensuring that the cropped image aligns with your desired aesthetic. Whether it's a subtle change or a dramatic transformation, pre-crop editing plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect final pic.

Way 1: Crop picture on Mac with the Preview (Official way)

Preview, the default image viewer on Mac OS, is a tool for viewing and editing images. It offers a straightforward and efficient way to crop image previews, making it a go-to option for quick edits. Whether you need to crop a picture in Mac for professional work or personal use, Preview provides an interface that integrates seamlessly with the Mac ecosystem. Its cropping tool is handy for basic image adjustments, allowing users to modify photos without additional software.

Steps of Mac crop image in Preview

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1. Open the image in "Preview" by double-clicking it in Finder.
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3. Click the markup button (pen-like icon) at the top.
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5. Select the selection tool and choose a shape to crop image in Mac.
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7. Drag to select the part of the image you want to keep.
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9. Click the crop button to execute the action and crop picture on Mac.
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Way 2: Crop image in Mac with photos library (Official way)

The Photos app, integral to the Mac OS ecosystem, is more than just a photo storage solution; it's a powerful tool for image editing, including the ability to crop photo on MacBook. This app is handy for iCloud users to sync their images across Apple devices. With its robust editing capabilities, the Photos app makes cropping and adjusting images a seamless experience. It's an excellent choice for those who want more control over their edits compared to Preview, especially for personal photo collections.

Steps of crop a photo on a MacBook with the photos library

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1. Launch the "Photos" app, double-click the image to open it, and click "Edit".
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3. In the editing window, select crop from the toolbar to crop image in Mac.
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5. Drag the borders or corners to adjust the crop area as desired.
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7. Click "Done" to apply the crop and save the changes.
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Way 3: Use the free Online tool CapCut to crop images in Mac

CapCut, a versatile and free online tool, offers a comprehensive solution for cropping and editing images on Mac. Its advanced features and user-friendly interface stand out, making it an excellent choice for those who seek more than just basic cropping. CapCut is ideal for users who want to enhance their images with creative edits and is easily accessible from any Mac with an internet connection.

How to crop picture in Mac with CapCut

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1. Open CapCut and log in.
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   Try it online

   
   
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3. Upload your image.
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5. Select the cropping tool and adjust the crop area. Apply the crop and explore other editing options if desired.
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7. Export the image in the desired format.
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Additional features of CapCut

Now that you know how to crop image in Mac, let's explore the additional perks of CapCut. Before diving into the other features CapCut offers, it's important to note that this tool goes beyond simple cropping. It provides many editing options that can significantly enhance your images.

• Add text to the picture

CapCut allows you to add personalized text to your images, offering various fonts and styles. This feature is perfect for creating memes, adding captions, or conveying messages through your photos.



• Add stickers to pictures

With a wide array of stickers available, CapCut lets you add a fun and creative touch to your images. Stickers can transform your photos into engaging visuals for a playful addition or to convey emotions.



• Add filters to pictures

Filters can transform the mood of your images. CapCut provides a variety of filters, allowing you to experiment with different aesthetics and find the perfect look for your pic.



• Improve picture quality

The image upscaler feature in CapCut is a boon for enhancing the resolution of your pictures. It's handy for improving the quality of low-resolution images.



• Change picture style

The image style transfer feature allows you to apply artistic styles to your photos, turning them into unique art pieces. This feature is excellent for experimenting with creative and artistic image transformations.



Which way is the best choice for cropping a picture in Mac

Determining the best method for cropping a picture in Mac depends mainly on the user's specific needs and the nature of the project at hand. The Mac Preview crop function is ideal for primary, quick edits where simplicity is critical. It's integrated into the Mac OS, making it readily accessible and easy for straightforward tasks. The Photos app becomes more suitable when more advanced editing features are required, such as color enhancement or applying filters. It balances ease of use and a more comprehensive range of editing capabilities, which is especially beneficial for personal photo editing.

For users seeking a more comprehensive editing suite with creative flexibility, CapCut emerges as a strong contender. Although it requires an internet connection and is not a native Mac application, its extensive range of features, from adding text and stickers to applying artistic filters, makes it a versatile choice for enhancing images. Ultimately, the selection of the tool should align with the user's proficiency, the complexity of the task, and the desired outcome of the image editing process.

FAQs

1. Can CapCut Online crop HEIC image formats on Mac?

As HEIC is a standard image format used across Apple devices, you may wonder if CapCut online supports it. CapCut online is a versatile tool that accepts multiple formats. Thankfully, one of those supported formats is HEIC. So, you can easily import your iPhone pictures inside it and crop them into specific ratios. Other supported formats include Webm, PNG, and JPG.

2. Are there any hidden charges to crop images in Mac using CapCut Online?

Unlike other image editors, CapCut Online does not charge a single penny from its users. You can crop, add filters, improve resolutions, and use many more features for free. The best part is that it gives you access to ready-made images and video templates. You can utilize them all without additional cost in just a few clicks.

3. Can I crop multiple images at once on a Mac?

Yes, you can crop multiple images at once on a Mac using the Preview. But all of them must have the exact resolution. Select all the pictures you want to crop, and click Tools in the top horizontal menu. Then click Adjust Size and crop them as you desire.

Conclusion

Cropping an image in Mac is a task that can be accomplished through various methods, each catering to different needs. Whether it's the simplicity and accessibility of Mac Preview, the enhanced features of the Photos app, or the extensive editing capabilities of CapCut, users have multiple options. Choosing the right tool to crop image in Mac is based on the requirements of the task and the user's proficiency. Understanding these tools and their functionalities ensures that your cropped images meet your expectations, enhancing your work's aesthetic and practical aspects.