EX73 The Perfect Aspect Ratio
This weeks exercise is an either or exercise. Meaning you can either choose part 1 or part 2 to do. Of course you can try both if you wish.
Part 1
Every photograph has its own perfect crop, it is as though the photograph dictates the boundaries of the photograph to you. Hence the working method is to shoot wide, and capture everything, then spend time while you are processing your photograph finding that perfect crop just for that photograph.
Take some photographs and try creating versions with different crops with different aspect ratios. To explore this in the extreme make sure you have free cropping activated. Ie unlock that padlock so that you can move each side independently. Post two different versions of the same photograph. Perhaps you could share with us the shoot wide original version and your improved cropped photograph. Post two different sets.
You aren’t aiming for a specific aspect ratio, instead you are searching for that photographs perfect crop.
or
Part 2
Exploring fixed aspect ratios. Can you set your camera to different aspect ratios? Some cameras don’t allow you to do this. Some make you use live view to see them. If this is the case, you may wish to use a tripod. Try photographing the same scene and seeing if you can compose the same subject in the various aspect ratios to make it fit and work. Always aiming to create a resolved photograph. Post your various answers for your subject. Try all the aspect ratios your camera supplies.
Post and discuss your own thoughts. Here are some things to think about and discuss:
Shooting wide and free cropping… does that work better for you than shoehorning everything into a specific aspect ratio
Have you tried different aspect ratios? Have you always just stayed with what the camera gave you?
What is your favorite or most used aspect ratio? Is there any benefit in exploring away from that and seeing how other shapes work?
How important is it for you to get the aspect ratio correct at the time of taking the photograph?
Photographs and Text copyright © Len Metcalf 2020