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In this episode of CREATE. PHOTOGRAPHY, we will discuss image aspect ratios, and why they are important.
Photo by meriç tuna on Unsplash
The table belows summarizes some of the most common aspect ratios
|
Aspect Ratio (AR) |
AR in Decimal |
Common Print Sizes in Inches |
Cameras using this aspect ratio |
|
1:1 |
1.00 |
5×5″, 8×8″, 10×10″, 12×12″, 16×16″, 20×20″ |
Medium format cameras, cropping option in modern digital cameras and smart phones |
|
5:4 |
1.25 |
4×5″, 8×10″, 11×14″, 16×20″ |
Large and medium format cameras |
|
7:5 |
1.4 |
2.5×3.5″, 5×7″ |
|
|
3:2 |
1.50 |
4×6″, 6×9″, 8×12″, 10×15″, 12×18″, 16×24″, 20×30″, 24×36″ |
Most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras (full frame and APS-C), 35mm film cameras |
|
4:3 |
1.33 |
6×8″, 9×12″, 10×13″, 12×16″, 18×24″ |
Medium format, Micro Four Thirds, most smartphones and some point-and-shoot cameras have 4:3 sensors. |
|
3:1 |
3.0 |
4×12″, 5×15″, 8×24″, 12×36″ |
|
|
16:9 |
1.78 |
Computer monitors and modern wide-screen TVs, most common video format |
Not native to most stills cameras, but often selectable in modern digital cameras including smart phones |
2 Comments on “Episode 055: about image aspect ratios”
Why do photographers continue to define images by the limitations of legacy print technology? In modern times, I think very few photographs are printed. Most photographs are shared online. For example, here are the non-print aspect ratios for Instagram and Facebook.
Instagram Landscape Photos have 1.91:1 aspect ratio
Facebook Profile Cover Photo have 2.7:1 aspect ratio.
Facebook Photo Post have 1.91:1 aspect ratio.
When will we let go of the past and free photographers from these constraints?
Thanks for the comment. I hope you didn’t get the impression I suggest to be limited by print aspect ratios only. The point was to understand your input (camera aspect ratio) and output (aspect ratio whatever media you are using, whether print or digital).