What is the term for the removal of unwanted areas from a photographic image?

The term for the removal of unwanted areas from a photographic image is cropping. Cropping involves selecting and removing portions of an image to improve its composition, focus on specific subjects, or eliminate distractions. This technique allows photographers and image editors to enhance the overall effectiveness of an image by modifying its framing and aspect ratio according to the desired outcome.

In contrast, clipping usually refers to limiting or truncating a part of an image or data that goes beyond certain parameters, often resulting in loss of information. Reducing often pertains to decreasing the size or quality of an image, such as lowering pixel dimensions or resolution, rather than removing specific areas. Resizing simply involves changing the dimensions of an image without necessarily altering its content or composition significantly. Thus, cropping accurately captures the process of refining an image by cutting away undesired portions.