What is the purpose of clipping/cropping in image editing?

The primary purpose of clipping or cropping in image editing is to remove unwanted areas from an image. This technique allows the editor to focus on the central subject or to create a more balanced composition by eliminating distracting elements that may be present around the edges of the image. By refining the image's framing, cropping can significantly enhance the viewer's attention on the relevant details without altering the actual content within the desired area.

While adjusting color balance, reducing file size, and enhancing overall image quality are all important aspects of image editing, they are not directly related to the concept of cropping. Color balance adjustments pertain to the tonal properties of the image, file size reduction involves compression and quality considerations rather than framing, and enhancing overall image quality often encompasses various techniques beyond just removing parts of an image. Cropping specifically serves the purpose of decluttering an image and improving its visual impact by focusing on the most important elements.