Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "fredila2" <fred@...> wrote:
>
> I've been reading this thread with great interest.  I do have a question.
> 
> I generally shoot with Canon SLRs that have a 3x2 format.  This makes my preferred print size 12x18 or 16x24, neither of which is a "standard" size.
> 
> What format are you using?  And is the simple solution to achieving "standard" print sizes (e.g. 16x20) merely one of cropping the image?  If so, that means the composition of the shot must take into account the cropping requirement and the resulting loss of the full resolution of the sensor size.
> 
> If my comments are accurate, why do camera makers continue to employ formats that don't match the "standard"?  Or am I missing something?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Fred
> 
Fred,

I personally like the 3x2 format proportions.  I generally frame "in camera" so cropping can sometimes be difficult.  

Having said that, the "standard" formats are mostly different proportions.  5x7 is close to the camera format (5x7.5), but some of the others aren't even close, and unfortunately, they all have different proportions.  8x10 lops off 2" from the camera format (8x12).  Of course, 4x5 and 16x20 have the same proportions as 8x10.  11x14 lops off 1.5" (11x16.5 camera format).  I think all these sizes just sort of came about without any thought and we are stuck with these legacy sizes.  

It is a constant PITA when I sell custom prints to people.  Every time, I have to spell out the fact that some images don't crop well to 8x10 or 11x14, etc, and other images do lend themselves to cropping.  I prefer to frame in camera and will probably continue to do so for most of my photography.  When I KNOW a job needs to be a standard size, I just leave plenty of room for cropping.

I print most of my images using 2x3 proportions, since I mat them before framing anyway.  Since I don't have things hanging in galleries, this may not apply to that discussion.  

Lou