Image aspect ratios are the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image.
In the Design Studio, our layouts are organized by image aspect ratios to best accommodate different styles of photography.
4:3 Standard: An image aspect ratio of 4:3 means that the width and height of the image is in a 4:3 ratio. For example, the size of the image would be 400x300 or 1600x1200. This is the most common image aspect ratio taken by smartphones.
3:2: An image aspect ratio of 3:2 means that the width and height of the image is in a 3:2 ratio. For example, the size of the image would be 300x200 or 1200x800. This image aspect ratio is suitable for most professional photography as most professional photographers shoot in this image aspect ratio.
Square: This image aspect ratio grew in popularity alongside the rise of Instagram. It’s a great option for our square formats.
Panorama: We are excited to now support panoramic images in many aspect ratios. Choose from 16:9, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and 5:1 to beautifully display your wider panoramic photos. Please note: the most common ratio for professional panoramas are 2:1 or 3:1.
You can choose layouts from different image aspect ratios throughout your book or album. If you have a photo that was shot in one image aspect ratio (i.e. 4:3 Standard), you can place it in a layout that uses a different image aspect ratio (i.e. 3:2), however your image may become slightly cropped.
How to know what image aspect ratio your images are in
There are two ways to find out what image aspect ratio your images are in.
The first method is to open your images and look for the width and height to work out the image aspect ratio.
The second method is to check your images in the Design Studio. Start with a 4:3 Standard image aspect ratio layout. Your landscape images should not be cropped in a landscape frame if they are also 4:3. If they are cropped, swap the layout to a 3:2 image aspect ratio layout where they should not be cropped any longer.
You do not have to use the image aspect ratio that is specific to what your photo was taken in. If your images are slightly cropped, you are probably using the wrong image aspect ratio, so you can try another image aspect ratio. However, the most important thing is that you are happy with how your photos are displayed in your book or album.
If none of the available layouts are suitable, you can use the Free Transform Tool* to adjust your layout and showcase your photos how you would like to.
*The Free Transform Tool is only available on the MILK Books website and is not available on the MILK Books Photos App Extension for Mac.