Typically I will proof a clients photos to an aspect (crop) ratio of 8*12. This generally will provide the best results for prints sized 4*6, 5*7, and 8*10. Obviously these standard sizes do NOT have the same aspect ratio, so some cropping will happen...
(back to some general math, 8/12 reduces to 4/6 or 2/3, so my aspect ratio for client proofs is 2:3 hint, 2:3 is the same as 3:2 in terms of aspect ratio, notice the default aspect ratio of SLR cameras... there is a reason to my madness!)
Why does everyone generally choose these size prints? I believe it is due to 3 reasons.
Reason 1. Prints are Cheap!
You can go to walmart or where ever and get a 4*6 print to mail to grandma in her birthday card for what, 20 cents? But what if I told you that a creative crop is not that much more expensive. What if instead of a 4*6 print, you cropped the photo to 5*5? wait, walmart does not offer 5*5 prints, sheesh! duh! Ahhhhhh! but Mpix.com does! Mpix is a great print lab. Give them a try, you will notice a difference in your prints. A 5*5 print from mpix is a whopping 79 cents! Not expensive! VERY affordable and it gives a bit of wow to your viewer! Example.....
Standard 4*6 crop! Still super ubber cute! but.......
Here is the same photo with a 5*5 crop. Not really different, the cake is cut off (here is where that aspect ratio comes in) in a different place, but the size of the print is going to draw the eye! I promise, give it a try!
Frame this 5*5 print and put it in a large flat rate UPS Priory mail box for $10.95 and send that framed grand baby to grandma to DISPLAY!!!!! She will LOVE it!
Let's be honest, Grandma is going to look at that 4*6 print and put it back in her card and tuck it safely away in a keepsake box. Who has tons of 4*6 prints displayed?
Ok, Crystal, I see what you are saying .......
Reason 2. Custom Frames are Expensive.
Yes, yes, they are, but guess what!?!? This is super exciting! Any craft store, from Micheal's to Hobby Lobby to Joanne's and yes, even the much loved Walmart, carries frames in all different sizes! I will have to check Hobby Lobby or Joannes today when I visit, but I am sure a 10*20 frame (with glass and all) is under 10 dollars! Take a look at this picture! A perfect example of aspect ratio and cropping!
Great picture of a gorgeous little girl! From her hands all the way down to her .... wait, where are her feet? Well due to the aspect ratio, if I were to crop the picture to 8*10, this is what would come out. Obviously her face is the most important part of the photo and so to keep her face within the pleasing rule of thirds, her feet had to be cropped out. BUT............
Try cropping a full body photo to 10*20! The impact in the print is outstanding! (no pun intended) This framed print would be awesome to hang on that skinny weird wall space in your home. I know you have one, everyone does. Just an outcrop from the framework of our homes, but really nothing fits there! What about a tall, skinny 10*20 print?
yes, that is really neat, but........
Reason 3. Afraid of Change
"I'm used to walmart.com for my prints, I have my account set up and everything, I am not creative, I don't know how to use photoshop for cropping, I don't have a program to crop....."
Don't be afraid to change print labs, mpix.com (which has given me nothing to recommend them by the way, wouldnt that be nice??? mpix, are you out there? **chirping crickets** no, ok sigh....) has a simple wonderful easy user interface (wow, does that make me sound nice and techie?) and you can crop AFTER you upload to your gallery.
Still afraid? I'll help you. I love to help! I love even more seeing my pictures DISPLAYED, PRINTED, and loved! So if you have or want to see how something will look cropped, matted and framed a certain sized, I have a program from that. If I've taken your photos, just message me, probably twice or even three times, because facebook eats my messages and Sprint sucks, and I will walk you through it.
:) Have a nice weekend!
