It's a Ratio Thing

I was recently asked a very good question by a client. 
I felt it would be a good question to discuss here, because it not only applies to clients ordering reprints and enlargements, but it can also apply to the beginning photographer when composing their photographs.


The client asked "I ordered an 8x10, and when I got it back, some of the edges were missing!".


This is because most digital SLR cameras shoot in a format that has an aspect ratio of 3:2.  This creates a "full frame" image in the standard size of 4 by 6 inches.  Most "point and shoot" digital cameras have a ratio of 4:3, because that is (well, used to be, anyway) the ratio of the standard computer monitor.


The 3:2 DSLR aspect ratio is perfect, as long as you're printing 4x6 images.  But if you want different sized images, there will most likely be cropping involved.  How much cropping?  Let's find out by doing some first semester algebra.  Let's say you have a DSLR image that you'd like to make into a 5x7.  How much will be cropped?  You have a frame that is 5 inches wide, but how long will the "long" edge be?


4             5
---   =     ---
6             x                      (6x5)/4 = 7.5


Your final image will be 5X7.5, which means that you will lose a half an inch off the long edge.  That's not much of a crop and can usually be done without any manual  adjustments.  The standard lab will cut .25 inch off of either end for a symmetrical crop.


However, if you wish to get an 8X10 printed, the cropping is more drastic.  For an 8X10 you are going from an aspect ratio of 3:2 to one of 5:4.  If you've done the math, you will see that a "full frame" image would be 8X12, NOT 8X10.  Two inches is quite a chop, and rarely will these images look perfect with a symmetrical chop.  Here's a visual:

This is a standard 3:2 ratio image from the camera:

This is the above image with a "symmetrical" crop, one inch from either end.  This would be the standard crop from most photo labs:

Here is an adjusted crop that will give you a better result.  Now the head is no longer cropped off, but we still end up with the proper ratio for an 8x10.  Many labs will let you adjust this cropping area, but you must first specify where you want your cropping.  If you don't, you will get the standard, symmetrical crop.

Here is the final 8X10 cropped print with the adjusted ratio:

How does this apply to the beginning photographer?  Because when you are taking photographs, keep in mind that you (or someone else) might want an 8x10 of the photo and you may wish to leave some space on the edges for cropping.  This is especially important with large group photos.  When a group is large, the tendency is to stretch the group all the way to the edges.  But this can cause a problem later if 8X10 (or 16X20) enlargements are wanted.

This was the final image AFTER cropping.  I purposely left room on the sides for cropping.

I hope this has been helpful!


JB

Who are you hiring?

There are times in life when you wish to be specific about the people you trust.  Most people are uncomfortable going to a Doc in the Box instead of their usual, trusted personal physician.
People develop similar relationships with their dentists, hairdressers, car mechanics, and babysitters.


So when the day comes that you decide to get married and hold a grand event for all of your family and friends, you naturally want to hire quality personnel.  They will be the people ensuring that your day is flawless.
Hopefully, you have done your homework so that your caterer, photographer, florist, and DJ will be good choices to ensure that your day is happy, and memorable.


No one wants a caterer who runs out of food, flowers that wilt, a photographer who can't focus, or a DJ with the personality of Ben Stein.
So, when you hire these folks, naturally you interview with them, look at their past work, contact former clients, and check them out thoroughly on the internet.  Right?  RIGHT?


"But I'm on a budget!"
To a degree, we're ALL on budgets.  The current economy has tanked, so everyone out there is looking to get the most for the least.  Please remember that the most expensive service provider does not automatically mean they're the best.  Just like the least expensive doesn't automatically mean they're no good.  The secret is to find the right balance between the two.


For example, there are "big name" places that offer package deals for weddings.  They will offer you a DJ and a photographer in one very cheap package.  I used the word "cheap" on purpose.  These places are often not locally based, and hire people on-contract to carry out the work.  To grab a quote from the movie "Armageddon":  


"Hey Harry, you know we're sitting on four million pounds of fuel, one nuclear weapon and a thing that has two hundred thousand moving parts built by the lowest bidder.  Makes you feel good doesn't it?"


Here's the main problem with these places:  You normally hire them 6-12 months in advance.  Within that timeframe, these photographers and DJs realize that working for peanuts isn't paying the bills, and they move on.  This means that the photographer and DJ, whom you may have already checked out, may not be the same one(s) to actually carry out the job.


Check out this complaint about one such company online ( found on ripoffreport.com).  The bride had hired one specific DJ, who bailed before her wedding and a substitution was made (which is common for these big companies).  She had specifically asked that no sexually explicit songs be played at the reception, as there were to be many religious folks there:
  "During the recption, the following songs were playing:  Baby Got Back, Hot In Herre and the like. I had to tell (name of subbed DJ removed) at one point to turn off the song he was playing. After the wedding, I had to call several guests and apologize for the sexually explicit music that was played at the reception."

Did you catch that?  The bride had to apologize to her guests at her wedding!


With the exception of the caterer, there is NO training or licensing required to become a DJ, florist, or photographer.
That's right.  A guy with an iPod and a Mr. Microphone can become a "professional DJ".
A guy who picks daisies from his back yard can become a "professional florist"
and a guy with a camera phone can become a "professional photographer".


Spend a few hours researching before you write that deposit check.  It could make the difference between this:

And This:

Here are some great resources for your research:
www.ripoffreport.com
www.complaints.com
www.complaintsboard.com
http://www.bargaineering.com/

Good luck, and happy wedding planning!