The Crop Factor
Cropping is a common issue that confuses (and sometimes angers) a lot of people when they are ordering prints and it really shouldn’t be that confusing. Let me try and break it down.
When an image comes out of a professional camera it’s in a 4 x 6 ratio. This is what is referred to as “full frame”. So, a 4 x 6, 8 x 12, and 16 x 24 are all full frame images. No cropping will occur. However, when you go to a 5 x 7 and 8 x 10, cropping will occur. With an 8 x 10 print you are going to lose two inches off the longest size. Here are some examples.
The 6 x 4 image at full frame:
The 5 x 7 image:
And the 8 x 10 image:
Here’s another example:
4 x 6:
5 x 7:
8 x 10:
A lot of photographers will ask me if I take into consideration cropping for 5 x 7′s and 8 x 10′s when I’m shooting. I don’t. I do most of my cropping in camera and in the moment of getting the “shot” I’m not going to stop and think about all the possible framing choices for my client. Instead, I encourage my clients to go with 8 x 12 images instead of an 8 x 10. There may not be as much of a selection of 8 x 12 frames out there, but you can definitely find them. Or you can also buy 8 x 12 mats or have Aaron Brothers or Michaels cut a mat down for you. I’m just not a fan of 8 x 10 images. Looking around my house I don’t think I have any! I just love the look of 8 x 12 images so much better. I really don’t understand why 8 x 10 is a common size print (maybe someone can explain that?). I wish framing companies would offer more 8 x 12 frames. Maybe if we pester them enough they will!
About DrewB
I’ve started this blog as a way to connect with other moms who love photography. Whether you are a professional photographer who is looking for advice on how to manage your own business and your family or if you are a mom who is looking for tips on how to take better pictures of your kids, I hope that you can find some good information and be inspired!
Interesting!
.-= Jess´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Sunshine! =-.
I love 8×12′s as well, I have one of my daughter I took while we were visiting friends in California and it would not look right cropped as an 8×10
.-= misty smith´s last blog ..Merry Christmas =-.
Thanks so much for this helpful cropping info. I have this problem over and over and I do *try* to compensate for the crop of sizes. But now I know I can suggest the 8 x 12 and the photo will not be cropped. Thanks so much!
PS – I am a lurker! *waves*
Where do you get your 8 X 12′s printed? I have some 8 X 12 frames, but only can just find places that print 8 X 10′s
.-= Emmy´s last blog ..Not Me Wednesday =-.
Great examples and great points… Thanks Drew!
.-= Bobbie Brown´s last blog ..Sol =-.
Thanks for the 8×12 idea. I get my prints done at mpix.com and they definitely print in those dimensions. Another trick I use when I already have a frame but don’t want to crop the pic down to what its matted for is adding a white border around the picture in photoshop to fit the frame. This way you can keep the dimensions you want but don’t have to search for odd frame sizes. This also works great for storyboards!
Wonderful…Thanks for sharing. Can most labs print 8 x 12?
I have to say, I think 8×12 looks way better, too. For those looking for a place to print that size, Costco does and it is super cheap. It is pretty decent quality, too if you are not looking for it to be a pro print. Also, I think 8X10 is the standard for old school. Maybe it was the standard for 35mm film? I remember in high school when I worked with 35mm developing the film and prints 8X12 was not even an option, it was always 8X10. 3X5 also used to be a standard size, so I wonder if it was 3X5, 5X7, and 8X10??? Those were the sizes on the easel we used to keep our photo paper straight when we were exposing the film strips onto it. Not sure, but would be interesting to look into. I wonder if those size frames have just stuck around because that is what people are used to.
Thank you so much! I just had a client ask why part of her fiances head was cut off. You explained it well!
Excellent! I agree about the 8X12′s!
.-= Brandi´s last blog ..12:365 =-.
I recently did some pictures for a friend as a favor, and gave her all the images on disk. I had a hard time deciding if I should only give her full frame images or if I should include some cropped versions. It made me really curious as to what professionals do when they offer images on CD. What’s the norm in that situation?
I have always wondered and now you have clarified. Thank you!
Speaking for myself I always give the full frame. I never put any images that are cropped to a specific size. All of the photographers who have ever taken our pictures have done the same.
That is crazy how weird the 8×10 looks when compared to the other sizes. It really loses so much of the composition and makes my eyes a bit crazy. Now I am super sad how many 8×10′s are around my house. Maybe you need a picture frame company… because you aren’t busy or anything!
.-= Julie Carson´s last blog ..Aqua Apron Sisters =-.
Wow thanks for the tip!
Drew… I recently ran into this very problem. And what happened to me was that the image couldn’t be cropped without losing too much, so the lab printed it with white space along the 10″ side. It doesn’t look horrible, but it’s not ideal. I totally get not worrying about cropping while shooting, but do you compensate when editing? I tend to crop pretty close in, but I now realize that limits me in final print size.
This is a great explanation. I don’t know why it’s so difficult to understand the “crop” LOL
I too don’t think about cropping issues while shooting, who does? You just want the best images possible and when creativity is flowing, you are not thinking about technicalities.
Love your 8×12 suggestion. I will be suggesting that to more clients in the future. Thanks again.
I’m pretty sure 8×10 was a standard size back in the days of 4×5 film. But why it is now when most people use digitals that crop to 4×6 is beyond me. I’m ready for a revolution in the framing industry! We want MORE full frame options!!
.-= Carebear´s last blog ..What Were You Thinking??!! =-.
if i knew every single word in the world, i still would not be able to express to you just how much i love and appreciate this post! 8×10′s are the enemy to everything that’s right in the world!
So what about when we use fancy and grunge boarders but our clients do not want the stand sizes? Suggestions how to still keep them but go to say a 20 x 24?
I love this post because I too hate cropping to an 8×10! It loses some of the magic when those two inches are lopped off. I think 8×10 as standard goes back to when 4×5 was the camera of choice for professionals, but hopefully the change is in motion now for 4×6 compatible images. I always include printing tips with my CDs explaining this to my clients so that they will understand if their prints come out with someone’s head cropped off!
.-= Alicia Damron´s last blog ..New home =-.