# aspect ratios In filmmaking, aspect ratio is the relationship between the width and the height of the image. Typically ratios were based on technical considerations for camera settings and the projectors or screens that would be displaying the finished work. With the number of devices and screens available these days, technical choices are less important with artists choosing based on composition and framing potential. Aspect ratio affects the framing of what is seen on screen. Narrower ratios tend to feel more intimate or confined while wider ratios tend to feel more open and expansive. Similarly, wider frames tend to emphasize landscapes and horizontal motion while taller frames tend to emphasize height and vertical motion. Simply put, a wider aspect ratio allows you to see more on screen. ![[aspectRatio.png]] _from The Tree of Life_ While it is possible to shift aspect ratio in the middle of a piece for dramatic flair, usually one aspect ratio is used throughout an entire piece. Often an aspect ratio will be converted after production is complete as the final piece is viewed on different devices and screens. A widescreen theatrical release will be cropped to fit on a full-screen television. For example, a controversial technique called [“pan and scan”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_and_scan) was used in the days when a theatrical feature was released on VHS. Much of the original was cropped and the composition was shifted dynamically to focus on the important elements in a scene. ## common aspect ratios Aspect ratio is written as a relationship between **width : height**. There are many different ratios used based on recording medium and output device. Here are some of the most common ratios you will encounter.. - **1.33:1 (4:3)** - Early cinema and old TV sets - Feels boxy and intimate - Retro-feeling, rarely used - **1.78:1 (16:9)** - Standard for modern TVs, streaming, and YouTube - Neutral and versatile - Most commonly used these days - **1.85:1** - Very common theatrical film format - Slightly wider than TV, still natural-looking - **2.35:1 (Scope / Anamorphic)** - Very wide, cinematic look - Used for epics, action films, and landscapes - **1:1.78 (9:16)** - Standard vertical for mobile devices - Used for short-form social media videos - **1:1** - Square display not tied to recording medium - Used for short-form social media videos --- Learn more… - [What is Aspect Ratio? from StudioBinder](https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-aspect-ratio-definition/) - [A Guide To The Right Vertical Videos Dimensions for Social Media from Hopper](https://www.hopperhq.com/blog/vertical-videos-dimensions-for-social-media/) --- tags: #animation #resources home: [[! animation]]