Why the 4x5 ratio?

[dwservingHim]

Hey,
When I look at professional's galleries, almost all of them have there photos in 4x5 ratio instead of the 4x6. Is there a reason why they do this? Is it something beneficial enough that I should start cropping like this too? Thanks

[Elmo]

The ideal ratio would be about 4x6.5 based on the golden Ratio of 1.618.......
The current standard dim of 4x5 was made on economy in manufacturing of glass plates, The later 4x6 ratio became popular as it is the same ratio at the 35 mm frame.

Now days the ratio is often determined by manner in which the image is to be reproduced ie a magazine cover.

As for the proper ratio for an image I use whatever ratio which makes the best presentation for the image, I have no standard ratio for my personal work. Work for others is another story, that is sized to suit their needs.

[ravncat]

And while it started with glass plates, it continued to film,
Large format was generally at least a 4x5 - using 4 by 5 inch film.
It stuck in the framing industry... It's definitely eroding now though

[dwservingHim]

So is it something I should be cropping my photos to as pursuing photography?

[dwservingHim]

Is there a logical benefit to it? Pros and Cons?

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by dwservingHim

So is it something I should be cropping my photos to as pursuing photography?

Originally Posted by dwservingHim

Is there a logical benefit to it? Pros and Cons?

For the most part, the greatest amount of DSLRs out there today produce 2x3 images in their native state. Perfect if all you will be producing is 4x6 or 8x12 images. Unless you are producing images that aren't multiples of 2x3 (like many of the standards, 8x10, 5x7, 11x14, 16x20, etc) I don't see any real point in cropping images just for the sake of cropping. Many of the images that you are eluding to were shot on 4x5 cameras as their native size, and weren't necessarily cropped to that size.

[dwservingHim]

Ok, thank you. I won't worry about it too much then. Thanks.

[ErikUngerPhotography]

It's all about personal choice. I will usually try to fill the frame for the best composition, but there are times where I either know that I want an image to be squared or 4x5, or by composing the subject the way I want there can be extra space that cropping it to 4x5 or square works far better.

I personally try to stick to specific ratios because I want my work to have a little uniformity, but I recall photographer Kurt Markus saying to me once that you shouldn't set an aspect ratio to an image, let the image set the aspect ratio. In other words, set the aspect ratio that works best for the image, even if it is some odd number.

[Doug Sundseth]

I usually try to crop to a standard ratio, but I'll pick the ratio based on the image. For a batch of portraits I was working on last night, I have some at 4x6, some at 4x5, and some at 5x7. (All were shot at 4x6.)

[Krusty79]

If you're selling to the public, 8x10 is one of the most common sizes people want, as 8x10 frames are so common. Most non-photographers don't realize the native aspect ratio is 2:3 and to get that 8x10 print, two inches will have to be cropped off the ends of an 8x12. Some pros will compose their shots "loosely" so there is room to crop for those ordering 8x10s. I wish 8x12 frames were more common so this would not be an issue so often.