What Aspect Ratio is Best for Your Video?

What Aspect Ratio is Best for Your Video?

In this article, we'll be discussing aspect ratios, specifically what they are and the most common ones you'll encounter while filming videos and delivering them to clients. An aspect ratio is the ratio of the width to the height of an image. Let's dive into the details.

Understanding Aspect Ratios

The most common aspect ratio for video is 16x9, which looks like this:

16:9

Most videos you watch on YouTube and TV are shot in this aspect ratio. Another prevalent aspect ratio is 2.35:1, often used in movies to achieve a cinematic look. For this reason, about 90% of my client videos are delivered in this aspect ratio.

Achieving Different Aspect Ratios in Premiere Pro

Making Videos Widescreen

To replicate a 2.35:1 aspect ratio in Premiere Pro:

1. Go to File > New > Black Video.
2. Drag the black video to your timeline over your footage.
3. In the Effects panel, type in Crop and drag the crop effect to the black video.
4. Crop the top by 88%.
5. Duplicate the black video by holding down the Option key and dragging it to the next layer.
6. Delete the 88% crop on the duplicated track and crop the bottom by 88%.

This allows you to move your footage to avoid cutting off heads or creating awkward compositions.

More Full-Screen Videos

For a 4x3 aspect ratio or other more fullscreen formats:

• 4x3 aspect ratio was standard for TVs until the 90s.
• With the rise of social media, 4x3, 1x1 (square), and 4x5 aspect ratios are becoming more popular as they fit better on vertical screens like phones.

Choosing the Right Aspect Ratio

The aspect ratio you should choose depends on the client’s needs:

• Music Videos & Wedding Videos: Widescreen 2.35:1 for a cinematic look.
• Real Estate Videos & Commercials: Standard 16x9 for an informative look.
• Social Media Ads: Shoot in 16x9 but ensure you can crop it to 1x1 or 4x5 if needed.

If your camera doesn’t allow for custom aspect ratios, consider using black tape to mark your screen.

Conclusion

Ultimately, there isn't a definitive right or wrong choice when it comes to aspect ratios. By asking yourself how cinematic you want the video to be and considering where the video will be viewed, you can make an informed decision on which aspect ratio to use.

Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you in our next article!

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Keywords

• Aspect Ratios
• 16x9
• 2.35:1
• Cinematic
• Premiere Pro
• Crop
• Fullscreen
• Social Media
• Client Videos

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FAQ

What is an aspect ratio?

An aspect ratio is the ratio of the width to the height of an image.

What is the most common aspect ratio for videos?

The most common aspect ratio for videos is 16x9.

How do I achieve a 2.35:1 aspect ratio in Premiere Pro?

You can achieve a 2.35:1 aspect ratio by using the crop effect on black video layers and adjusting the crop percentages.

Why is the 4x3 aspect ratio becoming popular again?

The 4x3 aspect ratio is becoming popular again due to the rise of social media, where videos are often viewed on vertical screens.

Which aspect ratio is best for social media ads?

For social media ads, you can shoot in 16x9 but ensure it can be cropped to 1x1 or 4x5 as needed.