Is there a reason why 8x10 is a more popular frame size than 8x12?

S

sbryan

Well-known member
I had to order an 8x12 frame from Amazon the other day after searching many stores here for one.

My question is, if the camera takes photos at a ratio very close to 4x6, why are ratios like 8x10 popular, more popular than 8x12?

Just wondering if there was an explanation for the widespread availability of 8x10s, 11x14s, etc.
 
Yes, the manufacturers of printing paper offer 8x10 and 11x14. To get an 8x12, one had to purchase the far more expensive 11x14 paper and trim it to fit. It also required a different matte in the darkroom which was an additional expense. In photographic development, it was not common to print to the edges of the paper. This both eases the handling of paper in the darkroom, and the mounting of images in frames later on.

Digital photography of course requires no handling, so the concept is essentially lost on those who've never printed actual paper.
 
I suspected as much.

I wonder how wedding photographers handle that when a client purchases their CDs... do they pre-crop those images based on purchased prints, or is it up to the client to crop?
 
Most clients don't think about things like this. They order prints through the photographer so when they order 8x10s the photographer crops at their own discretion.

In regards to why 8x10 became popular.. I don't know why that exact aspect ratio but the general idea is that it is a balance between the DSLR 3:2 and medium format 6:7. You have to remember that the majority of wedding photographers used to shoot in some sort of medium format aspect ratio not too long ago and many still do. 4x6s are the exact aspect ratio of your DSLR no cropping required if you are shooting at 3:2.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top