The Crop Factor…

The Crop Factor…
http://www.canonblogger.com/2009/02/06/the-crop-factor/

We have all experienced it at some point. We take a very well composed image and then we want to enlarge it to an 8x10 or a 11x14 and we can not because of the crop factor. 8x10's were created from the 4x5 camera and are not compatible with the 35mm camera unless you crop.

This is a good review of that 2x3 ratio present in our 35mm cameras. I should print this and save it for our clients. Ever try to explain to a bride why she cannot have a full frame 8x10 of her and hew new hubby? At the Javitts show there was a camera company that would engrave a little 8x10 grid on your viewfinder to help you compose -- I must admit -- it seemed tempting!

From the article...

See, most SLR cameras (non-full frame anyway) have roughly an aspect ratio of 2:3. This means that you can print at this ratio without losing anything in your image. But, if you want to print at a different aspect ratio, then something has to be cropped out.

So, what aspect ratio will work with the 2:3 proportions? Who all remembers their grade school math? All you have to do is multiply each side of the ratio by the same number. So, prints that work are …

2×3″ prints (2:3 x 1:1 = 2×3)
4×6″ prints (2:3 x 2:2 = 4:6)
6×9″ prints (2:3 x 3:3 = 6:9)
8×12″ prints (2:3 x 4:4 = 8:12)

You get the gist…but here’s the thing - the only “standard” print size that really fits our native camera aspect ratio is the 4×6″ print. What if we want an 8×10″ print? Well, cropping is required then. This means losing some of your image. So, this also means that you need to think about this during image composition in camera - if you like it - and want to print it - remember to frame things so that the crop won’t lose key elements of the picture. Here’s a perfect example...http://www.canonblogger.com/2009/02/06/the-crop-factor/