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Printing, Display & Output

Print Crop Ratio

The proportional relationship between a print's dimensions, which rarely matches a camera's native aspect ratio.

Measured in ratio

In depth

Standard frame and paper sizes descend from different traditions, so a 3:2 camera file fits none of them exactly: an 8×10 print requires cutting a fifth off the long edge. Deciding the print size early, and composing with that ratio in mind, avoids discovering later that the crop destroys the composition.

Examples in practice

Printing a 3:2 frame at 8×10 inches removes about 20 per cent of its length, often clipping an edge element.