'Crop Factor' and Aspect Ratio: Explained
I wrote this blog post to help my photography clients determine what size to print their portraits for their homes. There is often confusion around the aspect ratio difference between standard print sizes, also called the crop factor.
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Sure, you love to view your images on screen in your web gallery, and share them with all your friends on your favorite social networks. But like all art, the goal of your portrait session is to show them proudly, printed large, hanging in your home.
This is where the challenge begins: What size do you print?
In an effort to make the printing process less challenging, and much more rewarding, I thought you would appreciate a little insight into photo dimensions. For example, why is there a difference between a 4x6 print and an 8x10 print, besides the overall size? If an 8x10 is larger than a 4x6, why is some of the image cut off?
The graphic below will help show you the different aspect ratios of today's standard print sizes.
The image on the left (which is configured to the 4x6, 16x24, and 20x30 aspect ratio) is the full image my camera captures. When I look through my viewfinder to compose my shot, this is what I see, and how I originally intended the finished photograph to look. I often include background elements to help create the atmosphere, and carefully place the focal points in certain parts of the frame. Needless to say, that makes it my favorite!
Of course, I understand you may want different printed sizes. Maybe you already have the perfect frame you want to use, or something that predetermines what size you'll need. So I do always try to keep the 'crop factor' in mind during a shoot. However, because I may not know what final print size you'll be interested in, I'm hoping this helps clear things up for you.
I'll end with one more graphic to show the difference:
Now that you've got a handle on the 'standard' print sizes, I'll throw a wrench into the machinery, and remind you that your photos can actually be printed in any dimension. As one of my clients, I offer you canvas prints, aluminum prints, and large-format prints. All of these products can come in any size or shape. So while the standard sizes are there to help guide you, they are just that: a guide.
Hope to hear from you soon, to help walk you through the process of printing large, beautiful prints for your home ♥
Thanks for reading,
Dani
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