What’s the Best Aspect Ratio for AI-Generated Images? – Find the Perfect Composition!
- Aspect ratios offer unique benefits.
- Landscape ratios are ideal for wide, expansive scenes
- Vertical ratios are better for portraits and smartphone viewing
Introduction
Hello, this is Easygoing.
Today, we’re going to explore the important topic of aspect ratios when using AI image generation.
Aspect ratios might seem simple, but there's more depth to them than you might think. Let’s dive into this topic together!
Theme: A Woman Casting Magic in a Wheat Field
The theme for this experiment is a wheat field:
- A fantasy world inspired by medieval Europe
- A golden, glowing wheat field
- A female magician casting a harvest blessing spell
We’ll explore different aspect ratios for this scene and look at the unique features of each one.
Let’s get started!
Square: An Unexpected Charm
First, let’s look at the square aspect ratio.
A square has equal lengths for its width and height. One of its strengths is the balance it provides when showcasing both landscape and characters.
While a square composition might seem stable at first glance, it can actually feel somewhat unsettling because it lacks a longer side. It leaves you wanting to see more, giving the feeling that something is incomplete.
In the flow of a narrative, using square images can help keep readers engaged, encouraging them to continue reading smoothly.
Landscape: The King of Scenery
The landscape (horizontal) aspect ratio provides stability. Think of placing a cardboard box on the floor—placing it horizontally makes it more stable than vertically.
The landscape ratio allows for more information to be included, making it especially suitable for depicting wide landscapes.
When you want to capture a vast wheat field and the expansive blue sky above it, a landscape ratio is ideal.
Various Types of Landscape Ratios
There are many different landscape aspect ratios, each with its own characteristics:
- 4:3 – The aspect ratio of old TVs and computer monitors
- 7:5 – The silver ratio, used in printed materials like A4 or B5, and in Japanese folding screens, prints, and ukiyo-e art
- 8:5 – The golden ratio, used since ancient Greece in Western art and architecture
- 16:9 – The current standard for wide monitors, films, and YouTube videos
4:3
7:5
8:5
16:9
The Golden Ratio of the West
Among the various aspect ratios, the golden ratio is worth special attention.
The golden ratio is an ancient proportion, widely used in Western architecture and art since ancient Greece.
One fascinating property of the golden ratio is that if you cut a square from a golden rectangle, the remaining rectangle still follows the golden ratio, making it a compositionally stable choice.
Japan’s Silver Ratio
In contrast, Japan has traditionally used the silver ratio.
The silver ratio is closer to a square than the golden ratio, but it is also mathematically stable. It has been used in Japanese architecture and famous artworks.
The silver ratio maintains its proportion when divided in half, which is why it’s commonly used in printed materials like A4 and B5 paper, becoming an essential aspect ratio in everyday life.
Formulas for the Golden and Silver Ratios
The formulas for the golden and silver ratios are as follows:
- Golden Ratio = (1 + √5) / 2
- Silver Ratio = √2
Both ratios are considered mathematically beautiful.
TVs and Wide Monitors
Let’s look at other aspect ratios.
When TVs first appeared in the 1920s, the 4:3 aspect ratio became the standard for monitors.
However, in the 2000s, 16:9 widescreen monitors emerged, quickly becoming popular due to their ability to display more information.
By the 2010s, 21:9 ultra-widescreen monitors appeared, and it seemed like the era of wide screens would continue.
However, with the rise of smartphones, the trend shifted towards vertical screens.
Portrait (Vertical): The Star of the Smartphone Era
The portrait (vertical) aspect ratio became widespread with the rise of smartphones.
Vertical compositions fit perfectly on smartphone screens, allowing the entire image to be viewed even on small screens.
- 5:7 – Vertical silver ratio
- 2:3 – A practical and easy-to-use ratio
- 5:8 – Vertical golden ratio
5:7
2:3
5:8
Portraits Shine in Vertical Layouts
The vertical aspect ratio excels at showcasing figures in larger proportions.
In the case of our magical woman in the wheat field, the vertical ratio allows us to capture her face and torso in great detail.
The silver and golden ratios also work well in vertical layouts, providing a stable composition.
The 2:3 ratio sits between the silver and golden ratios, making it a practical and convenient option for quick AI-generated images.
Reference: Graphs Are Easier to Read Vertically Now
With the rise of smartphones, the way we view graphs has also changed.
In the past, websites typically used horizontal graphs to match PC displays.
While horizontal graphs work well on computer screens, they appear much smaller on smartphones, especially making it difficult to read fine text.
Let’s compare horizontal and vertical graphs.
Horizontal
Vertical
The same graph is easier to view on smartphones when displayed vertically, as it fits better on the screen.
Most Users Are Now on Smartphones
Let’s compare the global share of smartphones, PCs, and tablets over the past year.
With more people using smartphones than PCs today, adopting a vertical composition makes sense in terms of user-friendliness.
Conclusion: Try Different Aspect Ratios!
- Aspect ratios offer unique benefits.
- Landscape ratios are ideal for wide, expansive scenes
- Vertical ratios are better for portraits and smartphone viewing
Both vertical and horizontal ratios, as well as the golden and silver ratios, each have their unique characteristics.
It’s best to experiment with different aspect ratios depending on what you want to depict or convey.
After this exploration, I’ve found the silver ratio to be particularly well-balanced, so I plan to use it more in my AI art.
Why not generate some AI art with your favorite aspect ratio? Thank you for reading until the end!