You can scale 1920 x 1080 down to 1280 x 720 (HD-720p), or scale it up to 3840 x 2160 (UHD-4K) and beyond, and the 16:9 aspect ratio will always remain constant.ġ. Therefore, the 1920 x 1080 resolution is in the 16:9 aspect ratio. The height (1080) is also evenly divisible by nine. The width (1920) is evenly divisible by sixteen. Take for example 1920 x 1080, which is one of the most well-known 16:9 resolutions. In other words, for every sixteen pixels of width, there’ll be a corresponding nine pixels of height. Let’s begin with the standard aspect ratio of 16:9.įor footage that is shot in a 16:9 aspect ratio, your resolution will measure sixteen units in width and nine units in height. Numbers such as 3:2, 4:3, 1:1, and 16:9 are all standard aspect ratios in video and photography, each one representing the ratio between the width of your image and the height of your image. In the simplest of terms, an aspect ratio represents the dimensions of your frame. Use this resource as a guide for cropping your 16:9 footage the right way, saving yourself time and major headaches in post and delivery. However, there are several things you should take into account when cropping your 16:9 footage to a wider aspect ratio. This is especially true if shooting on DSLRs and camera systems that don’t allow you to record footage at wider aspect ratios, such as 2.39:1 (or scope, as it’s sometimes referred to). This article will specifically look at the aspect ratios used in video and film, focusing on the two well-known aspect ratios of 16:9 and the wider 2.39:1.Ĭropping your 16:9 footage to a wider aspect ratio can instantly add a cinematic look to your work.

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