Aspect Ratio: The Reason Standard Frame Sizes Don’t Perfectly Fit Your Digital Photos

Aspect ratio

The aspect ratio of a photograph is the proportional relationship between two sides of a rectangle; the width pided by the height and then converted to its fraction form. It is usually defined with two numbers separated by a colon instead of slash. For example, to figure out the aspect ratio of a photo taken at the resolution of 3600 x 2400 pixels you will pide 3600/2400. This equals 1.5. Next, convert that to a fraction and take the decimal format and put it over 1 and then multiply by 100. At this point it’s just a matter of simplifying, or making it as small as possible using pision (see image above).

Some common aspect ratios include:

4:3 (1.2x) — The standard aspect ratio used in digital compact cameras, and Four Thirds cameras. It is best to print on a size matching the ratio, such as 8×10 inches.3:2 (1.5x) — Most DSLRs, and some high-end compacts such as Sigma’s DP range and some models from Ricoh’s GX/GR series. This is also the same aspect ratio as 35mm film, and fits standard 4×6 inch prints.6:6 / 1:1 — The square format, reminiscent of medium format film and available as an option on some cameras.

Things You Can Do To Help

Better Composition: While composing the photo through the viewfinder reduce your range by about 8mm on the lens if you can. If it’s a fixed lens you will have to physically move farther back from the subject area to add space/padding around the area of photo that is most important. This way when it is inevitably cropped either by you in post or by the printer at create-time the essence of the photograph is preserved.Print with a white border. Sometimes this effect can make the a photo appear as if it was taken at a tighter range on purpose. It also has a more “gallery” effect when paired with simple, solid style framing. 

The very last thing you could do is adjust your camera aspect ratio. I know you will read that some photographers recommend this but I would think this through first, because once the camera reduces the original dimensions of the photo natively, you're locked in. The upside is you won't loose any pixel-depth in the photo, unlike when you crop in post.Live and learn. 

Have fun and keep shooting!