rthompson10

Probably a matter of experience on my part- If I know prints may be made from my pix in a 5x7 size- or other size, what is the quickest way to determine if I have my picture framed correctly while shooting- vs cropping and losing pixels in post? Thanks for any advice
PS currently using a Canon crop sensor

RT

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Cut 10% off of the long side in the view finder???
(Depends on the aspect ratio of the camera.)

BebuLamar

6.66666666%

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Digital cameras shoot in a 3:2 ratio (or 2:3) for the most part, some may have other settings. This means the photo is more of a rectangle, much more so than a 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 photo. Unless your camera can be set to a 4:5 ratio, which would automatically produce an 8 x 10 format, you need to 1) plan ahead as you shoot, or 2) mat to the original ratio. Either one is a good choice based on your needs. If you look at a 4 x 6 photo that ratio is what you will get, even as the photo grows larger, when you shoot in digital format. To shoot for 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 know that when you shoot you will be cropping off either one or both sides, depending upon where you are placing your subject, in post. Or use the entire photo, as I most often do, and get a mat for that size. Some cameras may have a built-in guide in them so you can see what is happening with the different sizes but not sure about yours. 2:3 ration sizes are 4x 6, 6x9, 8x122,1-x15,12x18 and so on. Simply add the numbers to find the sizes, so 4 x 6: add 2 to the 4 and you get 6 and add 3 to the 6 and you get 9, you just keep adding up to find a size that might work for you. I normally print at 10x15 or 12x18, this means no cropping. If I have an animal shot I might print that at 8x10 or a larger "standard" size because there is often too much space around the animal and I will crop that out. I do an article on this subject in my Lightroom website, viathelens.net, that you might want to read. If you are only cropping small sections off the sides and you have a file of sufficient size it will not negatively affect your print.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Wouldn't a 24x36 (.666 or inverse=1.5) represented in 5by be 5x7.5?
7/7.5=.933 ~10%

Joe Blow

Always shoot a little larger than what you would want to print. Then crop it in a photo editor. This gives you room to accommodate any tilt or off center.

pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ

Shooting a little larger also allows you to straighten the perspective a bit if necessary. It also allows you to crop slightly for various sizes. Have a GREAT DAY!

BebuLamar

Yes but that .933 + .067 = 1 isn't it? so it's 6.7% if you rounding it's off.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Duh...

Bill_de Loc: US

Some cameras let you shoot for a specific aspect ratio. They are basically cropping before you take the picture, so you are 'losing' pixels either way. I would prefer to do it after the fact to give myself some wiggle room for composition.

--

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I photograph with a somewhat predetermined print size in mind. My prints are 12x18, 24x36, 16x20, or 32x40. These involve very little cropping.
--Bob

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Unless you are using a tripod and a level, you are almost always going to need to straighten a little in post. You might want to crop a little off the sides before straightening to reduce the loss that goes with it.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

When I shot weddings I put a thin black strip 3mm in from each side of the vertical sides (left and right edges) my removable Nikon focusing screen, as long as anyone was between the two lines, they were in the 5X7 and 8X10 shots.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

What model Canon are you using?

For instance the 80D can display grid lines for various ratios.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Quit worrying! You only need a couple of megapixels in your crop to print sharp at 5x7 or 8x10.