Print Crop Factor: Explained

It's that time of year again. Time to rethink and revamp. So I'm starting with prints.

When we think of prints we often think of the sizes that frames have typically come in. 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, 11x14 and 16x20. I assume most of these sizes came from the days of medium format cameras. And for some reason instead of the frame companies adapting to the 35mm format or 2:3 ratio of todays images, we have had to resort to cropping out part of the image in order to fit it in the frame.

Crop factor can be hard to understand and explain, but I'm going to do my best to try and make it clear. An image from my camera comes in a 2:3 ration. Meaning that if one side is divisable by 2 the other is divisable by 3. So an uncropped (uncut) image out of my camera (and other 35mm cameras) comes in 4x6, 6x9, 8x12, 10x15, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30, and 30x45. If you order any variation of these sizes part of the image must be cropped off. So yes that ever popular 8x10 you all love is missing a full 2" of the image. This is why when you see some of your group images there seems to be a lot of space around- that's me leaving room for your size requests.

Why would you want that to happen, at least on one of my artful images? I consider myself an artist and just like a painter what is in the image is chosen by me. There is usually a reason an element is included and why crop it off. Likewise some are cropped for reason. Sometimes it can't be helped but usually it's all something I'm deciding on when creating the image.

Here are some examples, the shaded area of the image is the area that will be cropped off, and let me tell you, those areas sure do make the image better...:

An original uncropped 2:3 ratio image:

Same image 5x7 crop:

Same image 8x10 crop:

Same image 11x14 crop:

Same image 16x20 crop:

So now I would like to introduce the new print pricing/ordering structure. I've been wanting to do this for a while as it just makes sense for me and I've finally got the time and figured it out. It will save me trying to list every possible print size and you asking for a size not listed. I think it's simpler and I hope you will also.

All prints will now by priced by the longest side of the image. All prints with a side 14" or longer will only be sold "Deluxe" which is mounted, sprayed and textured. Although the texture may be left off upon request and will be left off metallic prints.

When referencing the new rate sheet first you will need to decide the size of the image you want, then find it's longest size on the list, if it's exact size is not listed you will need to select the next higher size. So for a 20x30 inch print you would need to find the 30" rates. You can select Deluxe or Deluxe Metallic.

It's still the customer appreciation season so for the 1 (my old keeper number), 4 (ayden's age), 12 (my favorite number), 16 (my birthday), and 25 (and how old I wish I was) e-mails I receive referencing this blog. Send an e-mail to contest@acellis.com and I will send you a print with a side of a minimum of 20" cause I think big prints rock and so do you!
CA