A look at the "Golden Ratio" for mat boarders
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The following are examples of one "Golden Ratio" method. ( Art_Photo / Mat White Space ) at (Phi) ~1.618 Frequently calculated using the quadratic formula. This method results in equal border, all sides. Good if printing a photo on paper and cutting border to size, or having a program draw a mat area from photo dimentions on screen. Math for the engaged and curious:  Links to some users of this method: ~ Robert Reiser Photography ~ Phi_Matrix.com ~ Russell Cottrell Photography Not practical for most art or photo framing with standard frames sizes. Frames are limited and often only avaliable in 1-2_in width or length values. Expensive and time consuming to make a custom frame for every project. The equal border calculations above are based on (photo/white space). Calculating a print size using a computer negates the need for equal borders. The kmat program uses the photo and white space area for calculations. This provides an advantage to the above quadratic formula method. Original photo crop and aspect ratio with a frame that is a standard size. For most, more convient and less expenseve to print photo a target size than make a custom frame. Examples: 9x12 photo, quadratic formula (photo/mat - method), nearest whole inch custom frame. Note frame of 12x15 vs the calculated 11.80x14.80 has ws-ratio of 1.50 vs 1.618.  Smaller photo, easy to get 11x14 frame, same ws-ratio as above 1.50.  Larger photo, easy to get 16x20 frame, same ws-ratio 1.50.  The other popular "Golden Ratio" in framing is calculated by multiplying the dimensions of the artwork by the golden ratio (Phi). This is based on (Mat White Space / Art_Photo ) at a ratio of Phi. Math for the curious:  Links to a couple of users of this method: American Frame Wildlife Art Store Examples: 11x14 photo, (phi x dimentions to nearest whole inch), custom frame = 18x23. Note frame of 18x23 vs the calculated has a ws-ratio of 1.69 vs 1.618.  Smaller photo, easy to get 16x20 frame, same ws-ratio.  Larger photo, easy to get 20x24 frame, same ws-ratio.  Both popular methods are calculated and displayed..  Both are available to calculate a print size, given a target ratio and preferred method.   Contact : kurt@kurtebertphoto.com Web : http://www.kurtebertphoto.com/kmat/ |
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