Aspect Ratio Control for Everyone!

Call it filmmaking, content creation, vlogging, cinema, or video art, the world of motion-based content is expanding. A huge wealth of both capture and broadcast standards is available for an even larger variety of creators. These range from Instagram to IMAX, from old compact cameras with less than FHD recording to 8K, 12K, and more. And that’s without even talking about analog capture formats. Amidst this wealth, one form of artistic expression seems to be left behind – aspect ratio.

Now, don’t get me wrong – aspect ratios have long been an influential tool in the hands of filmmakers and creators. An expansive article by my colleague Mascha Deikova thoroughly reviews it. From the camera’s side, the last few years have brought more and more cameras offering open gate, 17:9, and several anamorphic formats. Yet the majority of video content is still based on a 16:9 aspect ratio, especially when we consider capture format. I believe we can all benefit from further popularizing the use of various aspect ratios in our filmmaking and content.

Why not crop?

With today’s fairly accessible high-res cameras, simple cropping seems to be a valid solution. Open gate recording makes even more sense, especially when producing content for various media and social outlets. While technically sound, this solution may interfere with the creative process, which brings me to my personal journey with aspect ratios, a journey that started with analog medium format stills cameras, went through experimental use of Full-Frame lenses on a digital medium format, and now being inspired by FUJIFILM’s recent aspect ratio dial on the GFX100RF.

Not so different after all

As a photographer, I was well aware of the effect created by different aspect ratios. 3:2 refers to home-made, family, or documentary photography. 1:1 or, in the more common term, 6:6 aspect ratio refers to the classic Hasselblad frame, and 4:5 harkens back to large format photography. Changes in composition, the emphasis or blending of subjects into their surroundings, and other creative decisions are used to enhance visual impact. For my part, most of these decisions were made in post. That was until I switched to my current camera – the FUJIFILM GFX100s.

As I began using the new system, I immediately noticed the glass prices. After some research, I decided to try some of my old EF glass and fell in love. The larger sensor amplified the imperfections, and in some cases, cropping was necessary due to a lack of light coverage. As I had done before, I brought the images into Lightroom and cropped them. But that wasn’t the answer. It was only when I started cropping in-camera and composing with the crop mask applied that I achieved satisfying compositions. Furthermore, the assigned crop mask fundamentally changed how I look, search, and experience photography. I’ve started to see my camera not as a medium format camera, but as a multi-format camera. I’m now convinced it has a place in video capture as well.

What now?

Looking at the new FUJIFILM GFX100RF, I was immediately struck. The impressively compact chassis and the enormous sensor housed in it, the functional retro style we’ve learn to expect from the company, and the overall look were all very nice. But when I saw the aspect ratio dial, I immediately thought – we should have these on every camera! (If not a physical dial, then give us various aspect ratios for video in the menu.)

The aspect ratio dial is a straight-forward machined aluminum mechanical dial situated on the back panel with the aspect ratio indication facing up. a quick look, even if the camera is off, will help set your creative state of mind. While cameras have gone far into electronic functionality (that holds many advantages), mechanical dials sometimes just do it better. Now imagine such a dial, or at least such functionality on your cine camera…

The world is wider than 16:9

Various aspect ratios have been part of cinema from the very beginning. Affected by technical boundaries and artistic visions, they are a powerful expressive tool. In a world of such abundance as our current media, I believe we filmmakers should have better, easier, more streamlined access to this tool. While open gate is getting common, trickling down to entry level cameras, it’s the ergonomics and control points that may make a huge difference regarding the creative process.

Are you using various aspect ratios in your videos? Is it the artistic vision or social media requirements that drive you? Let us know in the comments.