Do You Compose for the Final Print Format?

JoeV

JoeV

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Aspect ratio-wise, do you compose for the final intended print format when capturing images with your rangefinder camera? Personally, I find that I like the 5x7 format for printing onto FB silver paper, it's big enough to make a presentable image, small enough to overmat, and frames and mats are easy to find in that size. But, I have to crop a bit off the sides from full-frame when printing, so sometimes (if I have time to think about it) I'll step back a bit and go a bit wider in the composition than I'd otherwise intend.

So how about you? How does the anticipation of printing the image effect your composition within the rangefinder's viewfinder?

~Joe
 
I print a full frame image onto the 5x7 print paper...
This does render a slightly smaller image but I do get the full frame image that I shot in camera...I'm happier this way and as everyone knows it's all about the photographer...
 
I'm in the same boat as you. Funny, I was printing most of the day today, and was thinking I should post something regarding the 5x7 format. I too really like it, for the same reasons you mention. I've been using Kentmere Fineprint VC, both glossy and matt, and I like them both very much.

I don't consciously compose for the format, but the small bit that does get cut from the sides hasn't been a problem (dramatically altering the image that is).

Cheers
Steven
 
JoeV said:
So how about you? How does the anticipation of printing the image effect your composition within the rangefinder's viewfinder?
~Joe
Click to expand...

I subconsciously compose in the viewfinder knowing that I will later use whatever aspect ratio the scene needs and not any arbitrary standard decided by a paper manufacturer 100 years ago.
 
i like the black edges when printing full frame. however, once in awhile, a scene comes up that you know exactly how you want it printed when you look through the camera. i feel proud of those.
but most of the time, i don't stress over framing.
 
When using an RF, I compose for 3:2 only. Main reason is that I seldom crop my photo's and if that incidentally happens, I crop to 3:2 again as it feels very natural to me.
 
4 x 6... make people really look at your image and study it.
 
Bob Michaels said:
I subconsciously compose in the viewfinder knowing that I will later use whatever aspect ratio the scene needs and not any arbitrary standard decided by a paper manufacturer 100 years ago.
Click to expand...

This puts into words a concept I had and worked with, but never knew how to explain it. Thanks for explaining it to me, Bob! A best answer, for me.😀
 
The aspect ratio of the camera should be honored. If you shoot square, print square. If you shoot 35mm, then ratios respecting ~ 36x24 make sense. In the end, I'm with Bob (Sepia); full frame.
 
I tend to compose full frame, sometimes leaving a little loose-room around the edges just to be sure and which can be cropped if needed. I just find the 'classic' frames are too restrictive...when I frame a print I make my own bespoke border to fit the individual image
 
Hi Joe, I usually print my working prints onto 11x14 FB paper. When I do I print the entire frame and leave a thin black border and some white space around the picture. So it usually ends up being like 10x13.5 inches ...

This way I can study the picture, and decide if I need to crop it, or what. I often just decide that I like it as is, and my work print 'becomes' my final. Yep, I'm lazy.
 
visiondr said:
The aspect ratio of the camera should be honored. If you shoot square, print square. If you shoot 35mm, then ratios respecting ~ 36x24 make sense. In the end, I'm with Bob (Sepia); full frame.
Click to expand...

All great. Unless you want to print on 8x10, use more affordable 8x10 frames or albums in the US.

I sometimes use 90mm framelines and shoot with 75, just because I know I'll print on 8x10.

Roland.
 
Great responses, everyone. I'm interested in trying printing full-frame, with a black rebate with white border around the image, as some have suggested. I still like the 5x7 frame size, for aesthetic and also economic reasons.

I also do some half-frame shooting; 5x7 is about as much as I'd want to enlarge those smaller negatives.

~Joe
 
No.

I can show the whole frame, though... But it's relationship between elements what I care for, and I can crop any image without thinking of any ratio or paper size if I feel it helps the image. And sometimes I find an image is better with different limits than those I planned first when composing.

Anyway, I prefer to print as much images with the black negative border as I can: those are the ones I enjoy the most.

Cheers,

Juan
 
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