Headshot Aspect Ratio? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

12/20/2005 04:56:17 PM · #1

What's a proper or general rule for headshot aspect ratios?

...and while we're at it does anyone know how to set the proper borders including the name at the bottom right? I've faked a few that worked well but I want the real deal info. In other words what are the standard numbers and procedure?

Thanks in advance.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

12/20/2005 05:04:34 PM · #2

I don't know that there is any rule, but I believe the traditional 'head shoot' was an 8X10. Of course this could be completely different now. I was looking for info on typical model portfolios and it seems that they are much bigger than 8x10 these days, so it may depend on who the 'head shoot' is for.

aKiwi

Canon EOS-7D

12/20/2005 05:05:26 PM · #3

I think the answer is 42.

nomad469

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

12/20/2005 05:07:57 PM · #4

Originally posted by aKiwi:

I think the answer is 42.

Deep Thought strikes again !

Actually I think that it is still 8x10

12/20/2005 05:07:59 PM · #5

Originally posted by pawdrix:

What's a proper or general rule for headshot aspect ratios?

I go for thirds to ensure I don't miss. Temple or eye are the best as there's less density there for unwanted deflections

Brett

12/20/2005 05:08:54 PM · #6

For proper printing there must be some consistant rules that leave room for nice even borders and space for a name or additional info at the bottom.

Maybe I'm wrong?

I'm not talking about the paper size or composition ofthe subject...only printing ratios

Message edited by author 2005-12-20 17:10:45.

12/20/2005 05:22:45 PM · #7

Seriously though, surely it doesn't matter as long as your print is the same ratio as the frame and/or mask.

I often crop my images in PsP to 1.414 as that is the ratio of A4 paper. Letter paper (11x8.5) is 1.29. Your 8x10 frame is 1.25. A 12x10 wooden frame is 1.20. So just crop according to your display media.

Oh BTW I don't know if people know that professionals try to shoot portraits using 135mm lenses so that noses don't appear out of proportion.

Brett

Message edited by author 2005-12-20 17:24:22.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

12/20/2005 05:32:01 PM · #8

Originally posted by KiwiPix:

Honestly not sure what any of that means???

Maybe in pixels it will make more sense.

Assuming we're all using 8 1/2 by 11 paper and we need an inch (or some space) at the bottom for the persons name...how many pixels by how many pixels will I need? I also assume I might need to keep some space within that pixel count (white or black) for the name?

Message edited by author 2005-12-20 17:33:36.

fotomann_forever

12/20/2005 05:36:05 PM · #9

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Maybe in pixels it will make more sense.

Assuming we're all using 8 1/2 by 11 paper and we need an inch (or some space) at the bottom for the persons name...how many pixels by how many pixels will I need? I also assume I might need to keep some space within that pixel count (white or black) for the name?

The number of pixels depends on the resoultion you are printing at... let's assume is 300 dpi for an 8x10 image... the number of pixels would be 2400 x 3000 pixels.

Edit:
Now, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but margins should be 1/4 inch on all sides but the bottom (at 1 inch), so you want a 75 pixel wide border on left, right and top of the image and a 300 pixel wide border at the bottom, assuming you are printing at 300 dpi on 8x10 media. So, the actual size of the image inside the 8x10 would be 7.5 inches by 9.75 inches or 2250 x 2325 pixels.

Message edited by author 2005-12-20 17:55:04.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

12/20/2005 05:38:21 PM · #10

If you want to the final to be an 8X10 headshot, why not crop/size photo to 8X9 or 8X9.5, leaving the space you need for the text?

12/20/2005 05:54:53 PM · #11

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Honestly not sure what any of that means?

I'm not sure what happens in Photoshop but in PaintShop Pro there are two places where you can set sizing.

When cropping, as you drag the crop box edges and corners, the status bar at the base of the program window shows the pixels and the ratio of your selection.

When resizing for printing or submitting to DPC, the resize dialog box gives 4 options
- Pixel Size or
- % of original, or
- Actual/Print size, and
- Aspect Ration setting

The image capture ex-camera is 1.333333 which just so happens is the same ratio as your monitor (640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x960 etc). When submitting for DPC I always try to crop to 1.33333 ratio so that the 640 restriction returns me the full 480 pixels in the other dimension.

Brett

12/20/2005 07:01:44 PM · #12

I got close using 3000x2400 but it isn't printing too even on both sides and at the top...I didn't measure but let's say 1/4 inch, all around but slightly off.

I marquised in a space at the bottom of the image and filled it in white then added a name which gave me a nice bottom banner.

Thanks for your help...gettin there.

How does this look? (I made it B&W then brightened it to save on ink)
I also added .50" all around. I'm curious how this would do with a pro printer?

Message edited by author 2005-12-20 19:31:39.

12/20/2005 07:17:32 PM · #13

Originally posted by pawdrix:

I got close using 3000x2400 but it isn't printing too even on both sides and at the top...I didn't measure but let's say 1/4 inch, all around but slightly off.

Ahh well, yes. That's a whole different discussion. Your printer won't have even margins all around it. Even if you have a borderless photographi printer you're likely to have a margin even if you select full page and centred as printing properties.

The only way you can deal with that is to print draft B&W on paper until you can get it right

Brett