BboH wrote:
There are always (at least for me) some things that one hesitates to admit not knowing (don't want to show how dumb...). Aspect ratio is one of those things for me - just never have been able to grasp the concept. Reading this thread an 8x10 inch print has been noted as having as having a 5:4 ratio - I still don't get it - would appreciate some help - thanks
Yes, some things just seem complicated based on terminology, but usually they can be explained simply.
Aspect Ratio is just a measurement of a photographs width to height. For example, 35 mm film and professional (full frame) digital cameras both have an aspect ratio of 3:2.
To calculate what size prints you can make from an aspect ratio, multiply both the width and height by another number:
3 x 2 = 6, and 2 x 2 = 4, so you can get a 6 x 4 print without cropping.
3 x 3 = 9, and 2 x 3 = 6, so you get a 9 x 6 print without cropping
3 x 4 = 12, and 2 x 4 = 8, so you get a 12 x 8 inch print without cropping
If you try to print digital photos that dont conform to the aspect ratio of the paper (print size) you are using, you have to either pad the pictures edges by adding a border, or crop the photos top or bottom and/or sides.
This is what most film kisoks do when they are faced with a variety of digital image aspect ratios, they just crop from all sides to fit them on their standard 4x5 prints without any white space and hope that no one's head is cut off in the process. I'm sure you have seen that.
Or worse, you distort the aspect ratio to make the image fit the paper. But whether this makes your bride thinner or wider is more a matter of how much you value your life versus understanding aspect ratios....:roll:
Darn numbers! :-D