Steve'sDigicams

novetan · Aug 14, 2006, 5:05 AM

Can someone explain these technical jargon. How does it affect the quality or it only relate to size. Thank you.

s96024 · Aug 14, 2006, 6:31 AM

Its ratio of width to height. For example a 4:3 photo will be slightly wider than it is high. But a 16:9 (widescreen), will be almost twice as wide as it is high.

novetan · Aug 14, 2006, 8:58 AM

So a photo measuring 6"x4" is 3:2 ratio?

jacks · Aug 14, 2006, 9:16 AM

You got it.

[email protected] · Aug 14, 2006, 10:24 AM

These numbers are important when you get prints made from digital files. My camera takes 4:3 aspect ratio, but when I get 4 x 6 prints made, they crop off the top and bottom of the frame to fit the full width of the paper. I haven't tried yet, but I think if I add some blank areas to the left and right of the frame, to give the 3:2 aspect ratio, I'll get the full picture in my prints.

Morag2 · Aug 14, 2006, 1:06 PM

3:2 is probably the most practical when it comes to printing shots, however 4:3 is what most cameras shoot in, so you'll need to cut the tops and bottoms.

16:9 is probably about the most horrible thing you can possibly use. It's suitable for widescreen monitors and absolutely miserable for shooting pictures or printing... avoid it at all costs!

3:2 and 4:3 are both fine, but 3:2 is best for printing.

aslanov · Aug 14, 2006, 8:10 PM

i believe these are all "Aspect Ratios", and 16:9 is what is used in widescreen and on most HD TVs, and this is the way WE perceive the world around us, so it seems more natural, it actually makes the picture look pretty good on my lumix.

ajaynejr · Aug 21, 2006, 2:23 PM

Morag2 wrote:

Quote:

16:9 is probably about the most horrible thing you can possibly use. It's suitable for widescreen monitors and absolutely miserable for shooting pictures or printing... avoid it at all costs!

16:9 could come in handy when you are doing a group shot; everybody doesn't always have to squeeze in so close and/or stand in several rows.

kenbalbari · Aug 21, 2006, 3:58 PM

Yup. most computer monitors are 4:3. So you get computer resolutions like 800x600, or 1024x768. Those are 4:3 aspect. So for viewing on the computer screen, 4:3 often works best.

Many film prints have traditionally been 3:2. Like 6"x4" prints. You will also find sizes like 6x9, 8x12, or 12x18 available for larger prints.

It is often possible to have a 4:3 aspect print made, however, in a size like 9x12. But you will generally have more options with 3:2 for printing.

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Aug 14, 2006, 5:05 AM	#1
novetan Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 28	Can someone explain these technical jargon. How does it affect the quality or it only relate to size. Thank you.

Aug 14, 2006, 6:31 AM	#2
s96024 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 32	Its ratio of width to height. For example a 4:3 photo will be slightly wider than it is high. But a 16:9 (widescreen), will be almost twice as wide as it is high.

Aug 14, 2006, 8:58 AM	#3
novetan Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 28	So a photo measuring 6"x4" is 3:2 ratio?

Aug 14, 2006, 9:16 AM	#4
jacks Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 221	You got it.

Aug 14, 2006, 10:24 AM	#5
[email protected] Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 111	These numbers are important when you get prints made from digital files. My camera takes 4:3 aspect ratio, but when I get 4 x 6 prints made, they crop off the top and bottom of the frame to fit the full width of the paper. I haven't tried yet, but I think if I add some blank areas to the left and right of the frame, to give the 3:2 aspect ratio, I'll get the full picture in my prints.

Aug 14, 2006, 1:06 PM	#6
Morag2 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 820	3:2 is probably the most practical when it comes to printing shots, however 4:3 is what most cameras shoot in, so you'll need to cut the tops and bottoms. 16:9 is probably about the most horrible thing you can possibly use. It's suitable for widescreen monitors and absolutely miserable for shooting pictures or printing... avoid it at all costs! 3:2 and 4:3 are both fine, but 3:2 is best for printing.

Aug 14, 2006, 8:10 PM	#7
aslanov Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 18	i believe these are all "Aspect Ratios", and 16:9 is what is used in widescreen and on most HD TVs, and this is the way WE perceive the world around us, so it seems more natural, it actually makes the picture look pretty good on my lumix.

Aug 21, 2006, 3:58 PM	#9
kenbalbari Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 822	Yup. most computer monitors are 4:3. So you get computer resolutions like 800x600, or 1024x768. Those are 4:3 aspect. So for viewing on the computer screen, 4:3 often works best. Many film prints have traditionally been 3:2. Like 6"x4" prints. You will also find sizes like 6x9, 8x12, or 12x18 available for larger prints. It is often possible to have a 4:3 aspect print made, however, in a size like 9x12. But you will generally have more options with 3:2 for printing.