The post about output sharpening got me to thinking about something I have been wrestling with which is the different aspect ratios of the different standard sized prints.
Of course your DSLR takes the image in a 1.50 ratio, but a 5X7 is 1.40, an 8X10 is 1.25, and 11X16 is 1.45.
So my question is, do you crop your image to fit the different ratios which may completely change the composition of the image, or do you allow the resizing to stretch or mash the image, or do you just leave extra border along the length or width, or do you custom build special size frames, or is there a means that I have not thought of?
Walt, I ususally crop to the size I want. I will generally leave the "constrain proportions" on in Photoshop when I resize the image unless it is a small amount that won't show up as distortion. I usually leave some space for cropping when I compose the image. I don't know of any other ways to resize than those you mention.
Almost none of my prints have been left uncropped to one degree or another, so I paste them on top of a 'standard' white image size (8x12, 12x18, etc.), which leaves a border around the image. Then I'll either cut that border off when the print arrives or place a mat over it before framing.
More and more folks seem to be using alternative ways to the standard frame/mat display environment (e.g. 'Duraplaq') that makes adhering to the 'standard' sizes a moot issue.
Hi Walt, I have struggled with this for a long time because of the aspect ratios and wasn't happy when an image was "skewed" because it had to be an 8x10 or 11x14, etc. I'm currently taking a class at my local community college on Matting and Framing and have learned to cut my own mats and put together my own frames.
When I work with an image I usually don't crop it until I am finished with the post-processing. And when I do crop it, I leave about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch that will be covered by the mat. I make sure when I print my images that they are centered on the paper leaving more white border just to have something to mount to the mat without the image falling through the mat. This class has been so helpful and now I can print my images to the size I want, and not the standard sizes that usually skew my photo.
Even if you are not able to cut your own mats, they can be cut at framing stores fairly reasonable. Metal frames are less expensive than wood and are easy to put together. I am lucky that I have a local frame shop who will cut my wood frames to any size, cut the glass and all I have to do is put it together. I can save a lot by putting all the pieces together myself. Not sure if this helps or not. But learning how to do this myself has allowed me to print the size I want, and that's very important to me. Good luck Walt.
I crop to the content not the frame and then mat it to a standard frame size from there. Even if you don't do your own frames you can play with the mat proportions enough to make it fit a standard frame size. I generally leave the framing to the buyer since that is a matter of taste and their decor. The exception is for a show when I frame very simply, a simple wood frame or sectional metal frames.
Hey Walt, I have resized my images to all the different frame sizes, and yes the subject size change a little but I don't find it that drastic of a change.
Discussion
5 repliesOf course your DSLR takes the image in a 1.50 ratio, but a 5X7 is 1.40, an 8X10 is 1.25, and 11X16 is 1.45.
So my question is, do you crop your image to fit the different ratios which may completely change the composition of the image, or do you allow the resizing to stretch or mash the image, or do you just leave extra border along the length or width, or do you custom build special size frames, or is there a means that I have not thought of?
More and more folks seem to be using alternative ways to the standard frame/mat display environment (e.g. 'Duraplaq') that makes adhering to the 'standard' sizes a moot issue.
When I work with an image I usually don't crop it until I am finished with the post-processing. And when I do crop it, I leave about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch that will be covered by the mat. I make sure when I print my images that they are centered on the paper leaving more white border just to have something to mount to the mat without the image falling through the mat. This class has been so helpful and now I can print my images to the size I want, and not the standard sizes that usually skew my photo.
Even if you are not able to cut your own mats, they can be cut at framing stores fairly reasonable. Metal frames are less expensive than wood and are easy to put together. I am lucky that I have a local frame shop who will cut my wood frames to any size, cut the glass and all I have to do is put it together. I can save a lot by putting all the pieces together myself. Not sure if this helps or not. But learning how to do this myself has allowed me to print the size I want, and that's very important to me. Good luck Walt.