Abstract: A variable photographic cropper for maintaining multiple constant proportions of a visible area includes a pair of masks situated within a housing having a central window. Each mask is capable of rotational and translational movement within the housing, and includes a pair of linear edges which intersect and form a right angle at an apex located at the center of rotation of the respective mask. One of the masks is superimposed over the other such that the linear edges of the masks cooperatively define a variable, generally rectilinear aperture within the housing window. Four cables interconnect the masks to control movement of the masks relative to one another whereby the height-to-width proportions of the rectilinear aperture can be selected, and then the size of the aperture varied without changing the selected proportions. A locking mechanism is provided to selectively fix the masks within the housing to prevent rotational and/or translational movement therein.