free transform

[Once Upon A Dream]

I'm new, haven't posted before but have a question about free transform.  If I start with the full length shot and then use free transform to get the up close image, how do I know if it will print ok?  I tried the multiplying the h x w in pixels, but the pixels didn't change when i used the regular marquee on them after i free transformed.  Is it ok to use free transform to "zoom" in on a pic instead of cropping it with the crop tool? I put one example and then the free transformed example. 

[Damien Symonds]

NEVER use the Free Transform method. It's a very dangerous myth.

[Once Upon A Dream]

so, i can't use free transform at all in editing images?  Does it destroy the images?  Thank you for your reply.

[Damien Symonds]

Yes, it's incredibly destructive. Never use it.

Only use the Crop Tool, and NEVER during editing.

http://www.damiensymonds.net/2011/09/cropping-tutorial.html