Explaining why I have a preference for the 5:4 aspect ratio
For displaying and printing my images, I have a distinct preference for using the 5:4 aspect ratio. In this post, I will explain why but first allow me to talk a bit about aspect ratios in general.
The Difference Between Aspect Ratios and Film/Sensor Size
Why I Prefer The 5:4 Aspect Ratio
Challenges Of The 5:4 Aspect Ratio
Aspect Ratios Explained
The Aspect Ratio of an image can be defined as the relationship of the with of the image in relation to its height.
In photography, we have several aspect ratios for images, based on the film negative, the camera sensor, or the print. The most common are:
4:3 Aspect Ratio
This is the aspect ratio used by most point and shoot and other digital cameras aimed at the general consumer market. This aspect ratio actually is based on the standard ratio of computer monitors. This way, the images from the camera would nicely fill the full screen of the monitor. Interestingly, the monitor aspect ratios seem to be influenced by the old cinematic film.
3:2 Aspect Ratio
While this is the aspect ratio most 'pro' DSLRs and some other digital cameras use, it actually originates from the 35mm film that became the standard for most film cameras from the mid-1940's onwards. It was actually developed from the 4:3 aspect ratio cinematic film mentioned above (3:2 is half 4:3). The 3:2 aspect ratio is also the reason why so many "one-hour" film labs produced 6x4 prints as their standards. On a side note: while 'everyone' talks about 35 mm film, the official name actually is 135 film.
1:1 Aspect Ratio
This is, as you might have guessed, square. Images with this aspect ratio were (and still are!) produced by so-called Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) cameras. These are the cameras with two lenses on the front: one to take the image, and one to compose the image. The photographer looks through a screen on top of the camera which shows the image from the top lens. This is a very convenient and inconspicuous way to take pictures. Hasselblad is a famous producer of SLR cameras that also produce 1:1 ratio images.
5:4 Aspect Ratio
This is the aspect ratio most commonly associated with large format cameras: the ones where you see the photographer 'hiding' behind a black cloth while composing the image. Large format for most people means 8x10 inch sheet negatives. But 4x5 inch negatives are also still quite popular, while larger and extremely large negative sheets are in existence. <back to top>
The Difference Between Aspect Ratios and Film/Sensor Size
Aspect ratios should not be confused with film or sensor sizes. While with modern image handling tools like LightRoom any digital (originally digital or scanned film) image can be cropped to any aspect ratio (and more on that later), I would like to point out that film and sensor sizes are something totally different. While sensors in digital cameras will be built according to one of the aspect ratios mentioned above, especially with film the build of the camera will have a direct impact on the size of the negative, and as a consequence, the aspect ratio of the negative.
This is specifically the case for cameras that use 120 film:
Some cameras (e.g. Hasselblad, TLRs) create images 6x6 centimeters in size (1:1 aspect ratio);
Some cameras (e.g. Mamiya RZ67 Pro II, Pentax 67) create images 6x7 centimeters in size (5:4 aspect ratio);
Some cameras (e.g. Fujifilm GS645S) create images 6x4.5 centimeters in size (4:3 aspect ratio);
Some cameras (e.g. Fujifilm 6x9) create images 6x9 centimeters in size (3:2 aspect ratio);
And some cameras create panoramic images, even to 6x17 centimeters in size (3:1 aspect ratio).
Why I Prefer The 5:4 Aspect Ratio
The quick and easy answer is: it is all a matter of taste. I find images with this aspect ratio very pleasing to the eye. For me, 5:4 is the 'perfect' balance of height and width.
But there is actually a bit more to it.
Common print sizes, influenced by large format photography, are 4x5, 8x10, and 16x20 inches. And when I already have a negative that has a 5:4 aspect ratio, there is no need for cropping and throwing away part of the image I created.
Another reason is the fact that the 3:2 aspect ratio from my X-Pro1 and 35mm film cameras is actually quite a 'long' format.
This especially becomes obvious when creating images in portrait orientation. Sometimes the 3:2 aspect ratio results in just too much sky, too much sea, or too much land at the top or bottom of the image to make a good composition. The 5:4 aspect ratio solves this problem in a natural way because it is...shorter. <back to top>
Challenges Of The 5:4 Aspect Ratio
Now that I decided that I want to create and print most of my images in the 5:4 aspect ratio I created quite a challenge for myself. It means that when I am not shooting with a camera that creates images with this aspect ratio, I have to shoot with cropping in mind. Since most of my cameras are either digital with a 3:2 sensor or use 135 film, this is actually most of the time.
While composing the image and looking through my viewfinder, I already need to allow for the cropping needed to create the final image with an aspect ratio of "width: height = 5 : 4". For the image below, for example, I already knew that I would like a composition with three flags better than one with four flags. I however also wanted the Capitol at about one third from the bottom of the image.
Does that mean that all my images are in the 5:4 aspect ratio? No: I also like square images very much (and with those come other, specific composition challenges), and I also like panoramic images once in a while. As you can see in my portfolio. <back to top>
I hope the above has provided some insight into image aspect ratios, and the reasons why I like the 5:4 ratio so much.
Now go ahead, have a look at my portfolio, and let me know what you like most.