Sync crop based on subject size or position?

[uncleoat]

Is it possible to crop a photo of a portrait, then sync the same aspect ratio crop to other portraits but customized to the size and/or position of the other subjects? The idea is to have all cropped people look consistent in size without having to adjust individually.

[JohanElzenga]

No, that option is not in Lightroom.

[richardplondon]

"Sync the same aspect ratio crop" yes it is possible to pick up just the aspect ratio of one cropped image, and repeat that onto other, already cropped, photos so that they take on the same aspect ratio too. Their positioning and sizing are more or less respected, I think reducing the prior width or the prior height to achieve the new shape - not increasing either of those.

Here's four different shaped, different positioned crops from the same photo: 

and here are versions 1, 2 and 3 again, after syncing onto those just the aspect ratio from crop 4:

One way to do this is using a selective option in Sync or in Copy/Paste Settings;

another method: after adjusting or choosing an aspect rato on one image, you can hit Shift+A on some other image and it will adopt that same remembered aspect ratio for its own crop - while still preserving the centring and sizing it had before.

[richardplondon]

So the upshot of that is, you would need to get your different portraits more or less cropped to the right size first so perhaps this is not a lot of help. The only aspects you can be selective about are the crop angle and the aspect ratio. Otherwise you must sync the crop position, size, shape and angle all together.

Therefore, how about a different working sequence: crop one image first to the general end result you want. Repeat that crop fully onto the others knowing they will need to be individualised further - check the "Crop" parent option as above, or use AutoSync, various methods are possible. But at least each other photo will get a crop of the desired shape; and of a standardised starting position and size. Then you can pan each image underneath this 'template' as needed - not using the corner handles, drag the picture that's within the crop area. Now you can resize the crop if needed, from there. Use the padlock ('A' key toggles this) to retain the aspect ratio or else holding Shift key ensures the same. To resize the crop from its centre: hold Alt / Option key as you drag a corner.