Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio describes the proportional relationship between an image's width and height, expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (e.g., 3:2, 16:9, 1:1). Different aspect ratios create different compositional feels - square formats (1:1) feel balanced and work well for symmetrical subjects, while wider formats like 16:9 can emphasize horizontal landscapes. The standard 3:2 ratio is common in DSLRs and mimics 35mm film, while 4:3 is typical for smartphone cameras and micro four-thirds systems. Photographers choose specific aspect ratios to complement their subject matter or to prepare images for specific display contexts like social media platforms or print formats.