We live in a 4:3 world. Most of the images and substrates we see around us every day tend to appear on 4:3 or 5:3 surfaces or within frames that fall within those proportions. TV sets are 4:3 (HDTV is about 5:3). Letter-size paper is 4:3. Drawing pads are almost always 4:3, no matter the size (8x10, 14x17, 16x20, 18x24, etc.).Frames for paintings, pre-stretched canvas, pre-fabricated mats are all typically 4:3. Most of the books on your shelves at home are 4:3. 35mm film negatives are 4.5:3 and most digital cameras have followed suit creating 4.5:3 image files. When we think about creating or composing images, we tend to automatically design for a 4:3 to 5:3 space.
But who says it has to be that way? Why can't images be tall and skinny or long and narrow? Or square? In this assignment you will challenge convention and create images that use non-standard aspect ratios.
Make a set of three photographs that utilize the following aspect ratios:
Read Freeman, chapter 1.
Think about the shapes of the frames to be used. How can you best make use of the aspect ratios? What can be photographed more effectively and more interestingly with a wide aspect or tall aspect? What kind of composition makes best use of a square?
Don't just consider shape; consider content and meaning too. A landscape would be an obvious use of a wide aspect ratio, but that in and of itself won't necessarily make it a good picture. Good photos are compelling, arresting, though-provoking, unusual, unexpected, beautiful, shocking, mesmerizing, or all of the above.
And don't force a 4:3 image into a skinny or square box; your image should be designed to take advantage of the frame.
Obviously, your cameras shoot with a 4.5:3 (or similar) ratio. In order to make use of the ratios assigned above you will have to crop or stitch images together; both are acceptable solutions.
The images may be in color, black-and-white, duo-tone, or whatever color scheme you prefer. There is no restriction on subject matter (people, objects, landscapes, architecture, etc.); make the best use of the space that you can while making interesting images.