Why a cropped photo looks blurry

Why this happens

Cropping discards pixels; it does not create additional detail. Enlarging a small crop can make the remaining image look soft.

What to try first

Start with the highest-resolution original, crop less tightly, or use a smaller final display size. Resize only after the crop is settled.

Try it on a fresh copy

1. Open the photo and choose an aspect ratio if your destination requires one.
2. Move and resize the crop area. Everything outside the selection will be removed.
3. Save the crop and check the edges. Resize afterward if you also need specific pixel dimensions.

How to tell whether it worked

Look at the edges for cut-off faces, text and logos before saving.