Aspect Ratios and Cropping Images

This post is designed to cover some of the standard print aspect ratios (like a 4×6, 5×7 and 8×10 crop).  It can be a little overwhelming trying to understanding aspect ratios and what print size will best suit your image.  A photo that looks great printed as a 4×6 may not look so great printed as an 8×10.  This is because most digital cameras produce an image with an aspect ratio of 2:3.  Prints that are best suited with the 2:3 aspect ratio are 4×6, 8×12, 10×15, etc.  These select prints will allow you to keep the entire frame without any losing parts of the image due to cropping.  Let’s look at some visual examples below.

This first image was shot with the camera being held horizontal.  If we print this image at anything other than a 2:3 aspect ratio we will lose detail that’s close to the left and right sides of the frame.  This image offers a lot of versatility.  With the subject having space around her we could safely print this photo as a 2×3/4×6, 5×7 and a 4×5/8×10.  We won’t lose any important details relating to our subject.

This second image was shot with the camera being held vertical.  If we print this image at anything other than a 2:3 aspect ratio we will start to lose detail from the top and bottom of the frame.  As you can see, we start to lose the most detail if we choose to print this particular image as a 4×5/8×10.  If we want a larger print similar to the 4×5/8×10 but don’t want to settle with the close crop then we should look at the print options that fit within the 2:3 aspect ratio (8×12, 10×15, 12×18, etc.).

As you can see, not every photo will fit perfectly into the “standard” print sizes.  A lot of people want to stick to the traditional print sizes, but sometimes it’s best to deviate from the norm.  With the multitude of frame options available online, you should be able to find the perfect frame that will fit your budget and let you stick with the best aspect ratio for your image.  It is always a good idea to meet with your photographer to discuss their recommendations.