Aspect Ratio and Printing Problems

[Chuck S.]

Here's a good article on the subject that frustrates so many of us:

Aspect Ratio and Printing Problems (http://www.dslr-mag.com/prints.htm)

[TonyW]

Chuck: That's a good one. Thanks for posting. Interestingly the world's first photograph taken in 1826 by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce with 8hrs exposure in bright sunlight (what ISO would that be I wonder :D) appears to have been on a 20.3 x 25.4 cm pewter plate so I guess that's where the 4x5 aspect ratio originated. You can see the photograph he took here (It's now in Texas):

http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/permanent/wfp/

BTW for anyone interested in photographic history that U of Texas web-site is a great place to browse around

http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/collections/photography/holdings/library/

Tony

[bayhli]

Appreciate this info Chuck - have saved it to concentrate on after the holidays.

Merry Xmas!

[lexcell]

Good history lesson Tony. It is true that we arrived at paper sizes after film was introduced to fit the aspect ratios of large format...4X5, 8X10 and even the 20X25.
It's a slow process getting the paper, mat and frame companies to transition to the new aspect ratios.

[msbrad]

Thanks Chuck-
Each time when I think I get it...there is more to learn!
m

[Not4wood]

Thats also why a lot of people, dont ask me I only know one guy who can and has all the equipment to be able to matte, mount and frame himself.

He doesn't worry about any of the off sizes.

Whats strange about this whole conversation to me anyway is that I've always had a problem finding store bought frames fitting any sizes I've printed when I was printing in my own 35mm darkroom when I was a youngin. So, instead of Not having the correct frames I would look at the sizes of prints I would need including of course the Matting and I would have this in mind when I would shoot, or print to make do what was available.

When I had taken a Photo Class, a very long time ago the instructor also gave us a couple of lessons on how to do this by ourselves and this alone was the main reason. Cause, as artists we would create different sizes then what was available to the general public. When asked why the Stores didn't carry anything of the sizes we needed she just said "supply and demand". When the average people bought frames there always almost for the standard sizes of art and our sizes for photography or the creative process was so custom that its not worth the stores to stock. Thats also why we can sometimes find Framing Stores that will be able to handle the off sizes we crave. But, thats also why they have the expensive prices as well. Four shots, 3 - 8X12's and 1 - 11X14 spending $450.00 I know but it was just a one time spending and I wont do it again unless a customer is willing to spend that kind of money. Hehe

[MayBayB]

Another key factor should also be knowing how to resize an image to fit the sizes desired. Try to get a firm grasp on how resolution effects the outcome of your photos. With digital camera today a 10 megapixel will take a higher resolution picture than a 5 megapixel. The higher the resolution at printing the better the image. But also understand that enlarging doesn't enlarge the resolution, just the output size.

If you enlarge an 5x7 150 dpi image to 8x10, you also have to increase the dpi to keep the quality of the print. Any time you increase the size the dot/pixels expand or move away from each other, thus creating the bit-map effect. So before adjusting the size, increase the resolution 1st. Usually increasing resolution increases size on its own (unless you have the constrain size option on) this also helps in getting that odd size to a more standard size as well. you can easily decrease size without having to decrease resolution.. the image will appear clearer for the same reason... the dots move closer.

Another tip: when posting on the internet it is safe to lower the resolution to 72 pixels because it is all any monitor can read anyway. Therefore it will create a smaller file which will load faster.

I'm sure some of you already know this...just posting for those who don't.

[nkeevers]

Thanks Chuck!

It's frustrating me because I just got an Epson R1800 for Xmas and I haven't gotten it to print my images right. I'm testing with a 4x6 and when I change everything I have to change, it will show it in preview as right (or it looks right on the 4x6 media paper), but when it prints out, it prints a little picture up in the corner of the 4x6 paper.