Influence of Frame Aspect Ratio on Composition

Lead: This is probably the most easily overlooked factor, which is very important to the overall composition of the picture: the aspect ratio of the border.

As the name implies, the aspect ratio of a frame refers to the aspect ratio of an image. Mainly depends on the size ratio of the camera's sensor. Therefore, usually the aspect ratio of the original image of the camera is fixed, the sensor of the camera itself is 3:2, and the resulting work is 3:2.

However, many photographers began to try to create with different aspect ratios, and camera manufacturers also provided the function of changing the aspect ratio in the built-in menu. Generally speaking, it is only built-in editing, and we can also use software for post-editing.

How does the aspect ratio of the photo frame affect the photo?

What is the aspect ratio?

Aspect ratio is a fixed relationship between length and width in an image, which is expressed in the form of numbers, such as 3:2, 16:9, 1: 1.

Most civil digital cameras have these two aspect ratios: 3: 2 and 4: 3.

Why is the aspect ratio so important?

Examples of frame aspect ratios of 2:3 and 4:5

How does the aspect ratio affect the picture composition? Let me start with a simple principle. Composition needs to determine the position of the subject first, and then adjust the surrounding environment to express the photographer's ideas. The aspect ratio will affect the distance between the subject and the screen border, and also affect the display of the space around the subject. The photographer's understanding of different aspect ratios can improve the picture composition.

Aspect ratio of ordinary picture

3:2

This is the aspect ratio of the photosensitive element of a full-frame camera. All Quan Huafu (including film), APS-C frame cameras and some mirrorless cameras use a frame aspect ratio of 3:2.

Example of 3:2 Frame Aspect Ratio

The size of Quan Huafu is 36mmX24mm, and the length-width ratio is 36:24, which is 3: 2 after mathematical simplification; APS-C is about 22.5mmX 15mm (slightly different from different manufacturers), and the length-width ratio is the same. The frame width is 1.5 times the height.

4:3

Example of 4:3 Frame Aspect Ratio

Most card machines, some mirrorless cameras and some medium format cameras use photosensitive elements with an aspect ratio of 4:3. The specification of the photosensitive element of a medium format camera with an aspect ratio of 4:3 is generally 6cmX4.5cm.

Comparison of 3:2 and 4:3 Aspect Ratio

On the premise of the same height, we can see that the 3:2 frame is superimposed by two frames with different proportions, which looks a little longer. It doesn't matter if it is longer, but the actual shooting effect is very different.

Comparative example of 4:3 and 3:2 frames

Example of 4:3 Frame Aspect Ratio

Example of 3:2 Frame Aspect Ratio

See the difference? Subtle, but it must exist. 3:2 frame has a long visual effect, so it is different from 4:3 frame in composition skills.

Try the following other frame scales.

The aspect ratio of 7:6 is too short for me. I think the frame of 5:4 in this scene is quite good. In landscape photography.

5:4 frame example

7:6 format example

The lateral change of the frame has a greater influence on the vertical composition.

2:3 frame example

3:4 frame example

4:5 frame example

The 3:2 frame ratio makes the sky area of the picture too large, so I tried to cut the picture, and finally found that the ratio of the sky and the ground was more balanced in the 4:5 frame ratio.

16:9 frame example

1: 1 frame example

Of course, it does not mean that all photos are suitable for scales with similar vertical and horizontal lengths. The above two figures are an attempt at the ratio of 16:9 and 1: 1.

Sets the frame width-height ratio in the camera.

Now, most digital cameras are allowed to set the aspect ratio internally. If you use the real-time display function, you can also see the adjusted proportion directly on the electronic screen.

Sets the frame width-height ratio in the camera.

Panasonic LX series

Except specially optimized cameras (Panasonic LX series, etc. ), this scale adjustment is only a clipping of the original image. If post-processing is convenient, it is suggested to adjust the frame ratio in post-processing.