Working with digital images

[SEAN]

I have a Canon IXUS 500 & the recorded inage on my camera display is square. When I get my images printed at 6"x4" size these are are obviosly oblong which causes me to loose the top & bottom portion of my recorded (square) image. Is there any way of altering the camera viewfinder or display to that of an oblong (6"x4") nature therefore ensuring that the recorded image reflects the printed image ?

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi SEAN,

Welcome to the Q&A Board!

That's a very common problem and it relates to Aspect Ratio and the fact that the dimensions of an image taken with a digital camera are often a different aspect ratio than a standard size print. Some cameras have a setting so you can change the aspect ratio. I don't think yours does, neither do my digital cameras. The solution is to crop the images before they are printed so you have control of what gets cut off and what does not.

Here's more information about aspect ratio and what to do:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/what-is-aspect-ratio/what-is-aspect-ratio.htm

http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-settings-for-4x6-prints/

[Mike54]

Sean, I'm afraid the aspect ratio of your recorded image is what it is. I believe you have a couple of options though, one, you can use software to edit your image, cropping it to meet the aspect ration of the 4 x 6 or you can find a print house that offers prints matching your aspect ratio. For example Winkflash offers prints of 5 x 6.6, 6 x 8 or 8 x 10.6 which all are more closely matched to your aspect ratio.

<disclaimer> I am not affiliated with Winkflash, there are many other online print houses offering the same sort of thing. </disclaimer>