Question about print sizing

[jljonathan]

I shoot with a Nikon D200; aspect ratio of the images is 3:2.  Full sized RAW image is 3872 x 2592 pixels.
Do you know the algorithm to maintain all of the detail of the 3:2 aspect ratio (I don't want to crop) and have the total image fit into a standard frame that's 16" x 20"?  Usually I print 16" x 24" (on canvas) or 11" x 17" to fit into a 16" x 24" frame.  Need to figure this out ASAP. Show's in August, but I have to submit the images this week with sizes (that's the problem) for judging.  I can tell them for now the images will measure 16" x 20" total with the frame, but my concern is figuring out later how to print properly so that image doesn't get cropped and still fits in this "standard sized" frame.  Any suggestions?

[Schewe]

I can tell them for now the images will measure 16" x 20" total with the frame, but my concern is figuring out later how to print properly so that image doesn't get cropped and still fits in this "standard sized" frame.  Any suggestions?

16" x 20" is a 4:5 proportion, you can't get a 2:3 to fit in a 4:5 without either A: cropping or B: leaving a larger margin on two of the sides. Do the math...doing the 20" length will leave you with an un-cropped 13.33" width. Or, if you fill the 16" width you'll have to crop off 4". There is no way around it...

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

There is no way around it...

That's correct, unless one is willing to use a Seam-Carving type of 'content aware' or 'liquid' resizing, which will not always work well for all subject matter.

Cheers,
Bart

[Mark D Segal]

Jeff is of course correct, but just to amplify, when you go into the Photoshop Image Size dialog, make sure "Constrain Proportions" is selected and "Resample Image" is NOT selected. Enter the largest dimension - i.e. 16 inches - into the width or height box in the Document Size section; the dimension of the smaller side will calculate and show automatically . Look at the number in the Resolution box. If it is anything between 240 and 480 (or if an Epson x900 series printer 720) pixels per inch, put your 16*20 sheet into the printer and print it. When the Print dialog comes up make sure the image is centered. You will get even borders on each dimension. So for example if a Landscape image - it would be width 16 inches sitting on the 20 inch dimension - you will get a two inch border on either side of it. Likewise, for the smaller dimension, if you are using the full frame the shorter dimension will be 10.67 inches (respecting the 3:2 aspect ratio of your original) sitting in 16 inches of paper, so about 2.67 inches on either side will be white border. In sum, the borders will not have the same width on the four sides, but they will even in each dimension and your aspect ratio will be preserved on the sheet without any cropping.

[alain]

I shoot with a Nikon D200; aspect ratio of the images is 3:2.  Full sized RAW image is 3872 x 2592 pixels.
Do you know the algorithm to maintain all of the detail of the 3:2 aspect ratio (I don't want to crop) and have the total image fit into a standard frame that's 16" x 20"?  Usually I print 16" x 24" (on canvas) or 11" x 17" to fit into a 16" x 24" frame.  Need to figure this out ASAP. Show's in August, but I have to submit the images this week with sizes (that's the problem) for judging.  I can tell them for now the images will measure 16" x 20" total with the frame, but my concern is figuring out later how to print properly so that image doesn't get cropped and still fits in this "standard sized" frame.  Any suggestions?

I use a mat-board with the correct size and try to calculate the picture size/opening that the top and side borders are the same size and the bottom border is bigger.  At least take the same side borders and a top border that is smaller than the bottom border.  (Unless you're really sure what you're doing ;-) )

Print with a little bit white border (but less than the mat borders) to make it easy to hang it behind the mat.