Choosing a Photography Aspect Ratio

The shape of your frame is the first decision you make in telling a story, long before you ever press the shutter. It’s about more than just fitting a subject into a box; it’s about choosing a geometry that echoes the balance and the tension of the world you’re trying to capture. Check out the galleries from the crew during the desert meetup! https://dave.online/writings/desert-p... Shop Very Good Presets, LUTS, workshops, and gear: https://shopverygood.com/ Join the Very Good Discord:   / discord   Visit me at https://dave.online/ Instagram:   / daveherring   Foto: https://the.fotoapp.co/dave Join the Patreon:   / daveherring   My camera strap: https://shopverygood.com/gear Another great strap: (Use HERRING for 10% off): https://cleversupply.co?ref=9q5OV MY CAMERA KIT: Leica M11P Safari: https://bhpho.to/4nqXyAa Leica M6: https://geni.us/H4NZTa Leica Q3M: https://bhpho.to/400rYjr Leica 28mm Summicron: https://geni.us/YAair Leica 35mm Summilux: https://geni.us/2xhIfkB Leica 50mm Summilux: https://geni.us/VtYro Leica 90mm Summarit: https://geni.us/sijs Hasselblad X2Dii: https://bhpho.to/3O02sZ3 Cover Your RED DOT: https://geni.us/reddotcover/ MY YOUTUBE STUDIO: Harlowe Lights (use the code DAVE10) https://www.hobolite.com/discount/Dave10 Sony A7SIII: https://geni.us/2ppkK Sony 16-35GM: https://geni.us/f5LTb Studio mic: https://bhpho.to/49WxBlj My printer: https://geni.us/BbUcVOj Protect your gear: https://www.ppa.com/join/member-2-member I use Squarespace with a lot of custom coding for my website. Check out Squarespace here: https://squarespace.syuh.net/c/513183... Need additional footage? https://artlist.io/referral/6264182/Dave 00:00 Introduction: The Art of Intentionality in Photography 01:41 Balancing Planning with Spontaneity in the Field 03:22 How Aspect Ratio Dictates Creative Vision 04:50 3:2 Aspect Ratio: The Everyday Full-Frame Standard 05:55 The Natural Horizontal Plane of Visual Storytelling 07:14 Why 3:2 Still Rules for Landscapes and Documentary 08:16 1:1 Square Format: The Mental Challenge of Perfect Balance 09:50 Mixed Geometry: When to Use the Square vs. Rectangular Frame 10:50 Community Spotlight: Desert Meetups and the Grand Teton Workshop 12:12 6x7 and 4:5 Formats: The Iconic Vertical Perspective 13:41 645 Format: The Middle Ground of Medium Format 14:39 Is Digital "Medium Format" Really Medium Format? 15:48 Intentionality and the Cost of Shooting Film in 2025 16:43 Final Reflections: Choosing the Right Frame for Your Story Master the art of composition by understanding how photography aspect ratios influence your creative process. We explore the distinct visual languages of 3:2 full-frame, 1:1 square medium format (Rolleiflex/Hasselblad), and the iconic 6x7 vertical crop. Learn professional techniques for using "mixed geometry" to balance complex scenes and why the 4:5 aspect ratio remains the gold standard for high-impact portraiture. Discover how intentionality in your chosen format can lead to better visual storytelling, whether shooting digital on the Leica M11 or high-resolution medium format film. Perfect for creators looking to move beyond standard crops and find a unique aesthetic through purposeful framing and creative limitations. Elevate your craft and learn which aspect ratio best suits your photographic vision. DISCLAIMER: Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning that if you click it and buy the service or product, they give me a small commission for sending you. This is a small way I support this channel, and making videos like this one.