Understanding Aspect Ratios

Other common sizes of prints with different aspect ratios are 5x7", 8x10" and Square prints such as 10x10" (an aspect ratio of 1:1).  What this means is that when you order a print that is not of the images 'native' aspect ratio some cropping may occur to make it fit the size of print ordered.  In most cases, we 'pre-crop' the photograph in-camera so that we can create these various sized prints with no problem  However, sometimes, a drastic crop, such as a square, may result in portions of the original image being left out.  As much as possible, we will crop your selection to create the best image for that aspect ratio.

In some instances, we can print the image at the native aspect ratio close to a standard size.  For example, if you selected a 16x20" print but needed to keep the native 3:2 ratio, the image size would end up as approximately 13.5 x 20".  We could also take it up to the next size, 16x24".  For most sizes, the price is based on the longest side.  In other words, the 13.5 x 20" print would be priced the same as the 16x20, and the 16x24" print would be priced the same as a 20x24" print. In between sizes (again, it will depend on the aspect ratio) are priced at the next larger sized print.

Some common sizes that you may recognize are 4x5, 8x10 and 16x20, which all have an aspect ratio of 5:4.  2.5x3.5 (wallet sized photos) and 5x7s have the same aspect ratio.  4x6, 6x9, 8x12, 16x24 and 20x30" prints have the same 3:2 aspect ratio, and of course, anything square; 5x5, 8x8, 10x10, 20x20, etc., all have a 1:1 aspect ratio.

The following slide-show will show you the cropping of the most common ratios; 3:2, 7:5, 5:4 and 1:1 (square). You'll notice how the cropping gets 'tighter' with each transition.