I honestly enjoyed this video way more than I had expected. This is the first video I have seen on youtube speaking of aspect ratio in such detail and depth, you really open my eyes to how the slight difference in ratio changes the feel of the photo. Thank you.
This is a fantastic and informative video presentation. Thank you. I use a D850 and never new I could choose different aspect ratios In-Camera; I have always cropped in my LR processing. I will look further into my Menu and do some experimenting. So easy to follow and understand. Thank you so much.
My Canons give cropped previews but, I believe, capture the full RAW image. I've never used the crop previews but I'll give them a try soon. Usually I conceive a likely crop when viewing the full size composition, then I leave room to possibly do so in post.
To me it doesn't make sense to have the camera crop the RAW images. RAW must always be the full sensor image irrespective of camera settings. Aspect ratio and other manipulations may then be applied to the preview and JPG images.
Film is cropped in camera. I don’t like 3x2 as a native aspect ratio. I don’t miss the cropped pixels because I didn’t want them in the first place. It’s a creative choice I am happy to make at the time I am in the field. Of course if others like to keep them all and crop in studio that’s fine too. There is no “must always” in my creative dictionary
Hi Alister, a pleasure as always listening to your words of wisdom. It had gone completely over my head that you guys had tied the knot. So, a belated congrats to you both and have a Great Honeymoon!! All the best.
This, my friend, was a Master Class. Yes, I enjoyed this video, but more importantly, it is further motivation to explore aspect ratio as another method of composing. I loved the way that you “worked” the 5 triggers into the presentation. Have a great travel as you go through Europe.
Alister, thanks. wishing you safe travels, glad you are going to have a delayed honeymoon. Appreciated seeing your cropping process. Have a ball, i look forward to seeing how you see your destinations.
I've always wondered if people changed the aspect ratio in camera or did in post. This is something I've recently started thinking about. Good timing. Have a safe trip and enjoy your time away together. Look forward to seeing your videos.
Great video really enjoyed it. I ofter find in woodland photography with a long lens that having the 1x1 view enabled in camera really helps see things and compose images that you wouldn’t normally see at all.
This is a topic I've always wanted to dive into but never did. Your discussion and examples truly "illuminated" the topic in a simple, understandable style. Bravo!
Totally agree on looking at the crop/aspect ratio taking the photo but now go one step beyond and look at what you are presenting and how it sits, if you flip the 5x4 landscape (at 12.35) 90* anti-clockwise to give a portrait of trees and bingo-bongo-bango! Works if you do the flip on the next 2 as well and the flowing water and rivulets at 21.00ish, then again what do I know 🙂
As always I have throughly enjoyed your video. It’s incredible how you look at photography and your methodology. You definitely take it to another level. Do have a fantastic time on your European journey. I will look forward to your photography across the continent. Safe travels.
Hi and Congratulations! Thank you for your in-depth presentation - the connection between aspect ratios and the feel of the image. I Also appreciate how you shared the variations In post processing. My challenge is when I have one ratio and then I want to print in another because I am dictated by the frame size or when cutting a mat. I don’t want to select “fit to screen” . I would be curious on your insight re aspect ratios and printing. Hope you forget about us all and be in the moment with your sweetheart. We know you will be back! ✌️
Perfect timing Alister!! I'm currently processing a collection of Stonehenge and am intuitively experimenting with Aspect Ratio. Your clear explanation of the effects of this on my shots is astounding - thank you! Enjoy your travels
I know that you don't like vertical frames for landscapes. Yet I feel that the niche 5 x 9 portrait have lots of potential for sceens where verticality in intimate landscapes is the core of the image (fall, tree, path, skyscrapers, cliff...) I can envision a triet of those on tall walls in aristocratic mantions. We like those! (Not that I know anything about that tho)!
I'm surprised more cameras don't offer more aspect ratio previews by default or better still let us define a bunch of custom ones. Like you I usually find 3x2 too wide, especially vertically. Overall 4x5 is my favourite but I also like 5x7 and 6x7.
I don't think I would ever want in-camera cropping. I have used the aspect previews, but am glad that full frame is preserved in the raw file. I wonder why manufacturers don't build sensors in one to square root of 2, since that is the most widely used print aspect ratio.
i enjoyed this, i have shot for years trying to make decisions to fill the frame with what i want and exclude what i don't want. i don't like to crop and i use it sparingly. you talk here has got me thinking about shooting with different aspect ratios rather than what is in the full frame at the time of shooting. i found you easy to listen to and you had my attention throughout you take. i have subscribed and hope to hear from you again, StevePower south coast California.
Very interesting Alistair. I live down near Lands End and spend nearly all my time photographing the sea and beaches. I will experiment more with aspect ratios and keep in mind the things you talked about.
I usually shoot with a specific ratio in mind even though I don't use the on-screen view, I just visualize it on the standard screen. But I very rarely use the sensor ratio (4x3 in my case) and prefer square, 5x4 or 16x9 or even a pano 2x1/3x1. I try to let the subject dictate the "natural" ratio for the shot. I particularly liked your second set of images, and the B&W gave it a "pencil sketch" quality that was nice. For the final set, I was surprised you didn't try a square crop with the land/water line straight along the diagonal. That would probably have been my first choice. Enjoy your trip.
Thanks for this, Alister! Maybe a petition to Sony for different aspect ratios? 🤣 I'm feeling transported sported back to the beaches of West Scotland! ❤ I wish you and Ann some wonderful weeks on the road, lots of new experiences and exciting places and some nice and relaxing times of celebration! Safe travels!
I’ve been using a D850 for some time, but never explored enabling mask display and setting image area to anything other than FX (3:2). So, I’ve now paused your video to play with those settings. FX, 1.2x, and DX are all 3:2 aspect ratio. 5:4 and 1:1 are also provided, but sadly not 16:9. I assume your 16:9 examples were shot as FX then cropped to 16:9 in post. In any case, I’m now eager to get out in the field and experiment more deliberately with the impact of aspect ratio choice. By the way I too find 3:2 in portrait orientation uncomfortably tall, and prefer 5:4. A zen koan; what is the orientation of 1:1? :)
In live view, put the camera in video mode. Push the shutter button and the camera shoots in 16:9. Beware though, it uses the settings from the photo mode.
Really like the abstract quality of these photographs, especially the second series. There’s a complete lack of a sense of scale - you could almost be looking at one of those old Mariner images of the ancient riverbeds of Mars!
Congratulations to you both although it is belated I wish you all the very best and a lifetime of friendship. I also shoot with the D850 and find the full frame ungainly as a vertical orientation unless it is part of a triptych. You had me going into my camera to search for a native 9x16 crop mode thinking I might have one but turned it off? No such luck :-(
It’s a hack, it’s not listed. Put your camera in love view video mode. If you push the shutter button now it’ll take an image in 16:9, but with the exposure setting in photo mode (not what you see in video mode) - I’ll do a video on it!!
@@Alister_Benn Thanks again! That is something I would never have thought of doing since my only use of the camera is for stills. It might be interesting to learn a bit on how to do some videography from an artistic photographer's perspective.
Over the decades, I have used the following in-camera aspect ratios: 1:1 6:7 4:5 3:4 2:3 1:2 1:2.5 1:3 Right now, I would love to have a digital camera that allowed me to create a custom 3:4 aspect ratio with a custom 27x36mm image size.
It feels as 5:4 makes it easier to “grasp” the full picture at once, whereas 16:9 requires eyes to physically shift left to right, with 3:2 being in between. 1:1 feels artificial and rigid, to me at least.
Despite having the same camera body I find I do all my cropping after fact even when I know that's what I'll do when capturing the image. I suspect it's a habit from 40 years shooting on film, I'll have to look at doing it in camera.
It’s strange when you showed the five sand prints, my eye immediately was drawn to the square frame!
Thank you for talking about aspect ratios. So few people talk about it
I honestly enjoyed this video way more than I had expected. This is the first video I have seen on youtube speaking of aspect ratio in such detail and depth, you really open my eyes to how the slight difference in ratio changes the feel of the photo. Thank you.
Very cool video. Love your photographs!
This is a fantastic and informative video presentation. Thank you. I use a D850 and never new I could choose different aspect ratios In-Camera; I have always cropped in my LR processing. I will look further into my Menu and do some experimenting. So easy to follow and understand. Thank you so much.
Glad it was helpful!
Always enjoy your musings and the thoughtful approach, Alister. Have a great trip, wherever you get to; I hope you both have a ball!
Thanks buddy ❤️
Excellent video! Subject, music, b roll and mix between in the field and in the studio. Thanks!
Safe travels Alister! Look forward to hearing about your adventures.
Thanks Lisa - hopefully we can catch up when we get back, it’s been ages.
I have never thought about aspect ratio in camera and now you have piqued my curiosity! Thank you!
My Canons give cropped previews but, I believe, capture the full RAW image. I've never used the crop previews but I'll give them a try soon. Usually I conceive a likely crop when viewing the full size composition, then I leave room to possibly do so in post.
To me it doesn't make sense to have the camera crop the RAW images. RAW must always be the full sensor image irrespective of camera settings. Aspect ratio and other manipulations may then be applied to the preview and JPG images.
Film is cropped in camera. I don’t like 3x2 as a native aspect ratio. I don’t miss the cropped pixels because I didn’t want them in the first place. It’s a creative choice I am happy to make at the time I am in the field. Of course if others like to keep them all and crop in studio that’s fine too. There is no “must always” in my creative dictionary
A really awesome aspect ratio is 65x24… xpan, as also found on the Fuji GFX cameras. This super wide ratio lends itself really well to landscapes
Hi Alister, a pleasure as always listening to your words of wisdom. It had gone completely over my head that you guys had tied the knot. So, a belated congrats to you both and have a Great Honeymoon!! All the best.
This, my friend, was a Master Class. Yes, I enjoyed this video, but more importantly, it is further motivation to explore aspect ratio as another method of composing. I loved the way that you “worked” the 5 triggers into the presentation. Have a great travel as you go through Europe.
Thanks buddy, I’m really happy to hear that.
Alister, thanks. wishing you safe travels, glad you are going to have a delayed honeymoon. Appreciated seeing your cropping process. Have a ball, i look forward to seeing how you see your destinations.
Yeah, thanks so much , we really need it!
I've always wondered if people changed the aspect ratio in camera or did in post. This is something I've recently started thinking about. Good timing. Have a safe trip and enjoy your time away together. Look forward to seeing your videos.
I’d say most do it in post, but more and more cameras these days have a good choice in camera. It is a great discipline to experiment with.
Great video really enjoyed it. I ofter find in woodland photography with a long lens that having the 1x1 view enabled in camera really helps see things and compose images that you wouldn’t normally see at all.
This video will have a massive effect on my upcoming fall photography, well done Sir!
This is a topic I've always wanted to dive into but never did. Your discussion and examples truly "illuminated" the topic in a simple, understandable style. Bravo!
Totally agree on looking at the crop/aspect ratio taking the photo but now go one step beyond and look at what you are presenting and how it sits, if you flip the 5x4 landscape (at 12.35) 90* anti-clockwise to give a portrait of trees and bingo-bongo-bango!
Works if you do the flip on the next 2 as well and the flowing water and rivulets at 21.00ish, then again what do I know 🙂
Great advice, lovely photography . Happy Honeymoon !
As always I have throughly enjoyed your video. It’s incredible how you look at photography and your methodology. You definitely take it to another level. Do have a fantastic time on your European journey. I will look forward to your photography across the continent. Safe travels.
Hi and Congratulations! Thank you for your in-depth presentation - the connection between aspect ratios and the feel of the image. I Also appreciate how you shared the variations In post processing. My challenge is when I have one ratio and then I want to print in another because I am dictated by the frame size or when cutting a mat. I don’t want to select “fit to screen” . I would be curious on your insight re aspect ratios and printing.
Hope you forget about us all and be in the moment with your sweetheart. We know you will be back! ✌️
Perfect timing Alister!! I'm currently processing a collection of Stonehenge and am intuitively experimenting with Aspect Ratio. Your clear explanation of the effects of this on my shots is astounding - thank you! Enjoy your travels
Brilliant, delighted to hear that.
Sir thats a wonderful photo .brilliant a old analog photographer me
Interesting. Never really explored using aspect ratio.
I know that you don't like vertical frames for landscapes. Yet I feel that the niche 5 x 9 portrait have lots of potential for sceens where verticality in intimate landscapes is the core of the image (fall, tree, path, skyscrapers, cliff...)
I can envision a triet of those on tall walls in aristocratic mantions. We like those! (Not that I know anything about that tho)!
I'm surprised more cameras don't offer more aspect ratio previews by default or better still let us define a bunch of custom ones. Like you I usually find 3x2 too wide, especially vertically. Overall 4x5 is my favourite but I also like 5x7 and 6x7.
I don't think I would ever want in-camera cropping. I have used the aspect previews, but am glad that full frame is preserved in the raw file. I wonder why manufacturers don't build sensors in one to square root of 2, since that is the most widely used print aspect ratio.
i enjoyed this, i have shot for years trying to make decisions to fill the frame with what i want and exclude what i don't want. i don't like to crop and i use it sparingly. you talk here has got me thinking about shooting with different aspect ratios rather than what is in the full frame at the time of shooting. i found you easy to listen to and you had my attention throughout you take. i have subscribed and hope to hear from you again, StevePower south coast California.
Excellent. I am delighted to hear that and hope most of my content should strike a thoughtful note with you.
Very interesting Alistair. I live down near Lands End and spend nearly all my time photographing the sea and beaches. I will experiment more with aspect ratios and keep in mind the things you talked about.
I love it down there. I lived in Cornwall very briefly when I came back to UK in 2013
I usually shoot with a specific ratio in mind even though I don't use the on-screen view, I just visualize it on the standard screen. But I very rarely use the sensor ratio (4x3 in my case) and prefer square, 5x4 or 16x9 or even a pano 2x1/3x1. I try to let the subject dictate the "natural" ratio for the shot. I particularly liked your second set of images, and the B&W gave it a "pencil sketch" quality that was nice. For the final set, I was surprised you didn't try a square crop with the land/water line straight along the diagonal. That would probably have been my first choice. Enjoy your trip.
Thanks Alistair. Is that a crack in the viewfinder at 10.50?
No, it’s okay, just kinda beaten up.
Joe, you might be mislead by the blade of the closed viewfinder cover.
I will definitely test this next time out! Hope you have a fantastic and creative honeymoon, and do have a wee dram 🥰
Oh, we very much will ❤️
Thanks for this, Alister! Maybe a petition to Sony for different aspect ratios? 🤣 I'm feeling transported sported back to the beaches of West Scotland! ❤ I wish you and Ann some wonderful weeks on the road, lots of new experiences and exciting places and some nice and relaxing times of celebration! Safe travels!
Thanks ❤️ we are really looking forward to the road trip
very interesting!
I’ve been using a D850 for some time, but never explored enabling mask display and setting image area to anything other than FX (3:2). So, I’ve now paused your video to play with those settings. FX, 1.2x, and DX are all 3:2 aspect ratio. 5:4 and 1:1 are also provided, but sadly not 16:9. I assume your 16:9 examples were shot as FX then cropped to 16:9 in post. In any case, I’m now eager to get out in the field and experiment more deliberately with the impact of aspect ratio choice. By the way I too find 3:2 in portrait orientation uncomfortably tall, and prefer 5:4. A zen koan; what is the orientation of 1:1? :)
In live view, put the camera in video mode. Push the shutter button and the camera shoots in 16:9. Beware though, it uses the settings from the photo mode.
Ah yes, switching to video mode in live view achieves 16:9. Looks like exposure time is limited to
Really like the abstract quality of these photographs, especially the second series. There’s a complete lack of a sense of scale - you could almost be looking at one of those old Mariner images of the ancient riverbeds of Mars!
Congratulations to you both although it is belated I wish you all the very best and a lifetime of friendship. I also shoot with the D850 and find the full frame ungainly as a vertical orientation unless it is part of a triptych. You had me going into my camera to search for a native 9x16 crop mode thinking I might have one but turned it off? No such luck :-(
It’s a hack, it’s not listed. Put your camera in love view video mode. If you push the shutter button now it’ll take an image in 16:9, but with the exposure setting in photo mode (not what you see in video mode) - I’ll do a video on it!!
@@Alister_Benn Thanks again! That is something I would never have thought of doing since my only use of the camera is for stills. It might be interesting to learn a bit on how to do some videography from an artistic photographer's perspective.
Over the decades, I have used the following in-camera aspect ratios:
1:1
6:7
4:5
3:4
2:3
1:2
1:2.5
1:3
Right now, I would love to have a digital camera that allowed me to create a custom 3:4 aspect ratio with a custom 27x36mm image size.
4x5!
It feels as 5:4 makes it easier to “grasp” the full picture at once, whereas 16:9 requires eyes to physically shift left to right, with 3:2 being in between. 1:1 feels artificial and rigid, to me at least.
Despite having the same camera body I find I do all my cropping after fact even when I know that's what I'll do when capturing the image. I suspect it's a habit from 40 years shooting on film, I'll have to look at doing it in camera.
❤️ think of it has having a 6x6 and a 4x5 with you at the same time 😂
@@Alister_Benn I always wanted a Mamiya Universal or Super 23 with all the backs. ;-)
Have a great honeymoon 💜
❤️ can’t wait, leaving in a couple of hours
yes 4:3 vertical is better
4:5 I think you mean
@@Alister_Benn camera and smartphone do 4:3