How to View a Photograph, 102

How to View a Photograph, 102

Tom Boster has an approximate "rule-of-thumb" for the correct viewing distance (CVD) of a print from a standard 35 mm film camera. 1) Determine the focal length of your camera lens (mm). 2) Divide this number by 25 mm to obtain a ratio. 3) Multiply this ratio by the smallest print dimension (in inches) to obtain the CVD in inches.

For example:

35 mm film camera

50 mm lens (focal length)

40 inch by 60 inch print size

CVD = 50 mm x 40 inch = 80 inch

25 mm

or:

35 mm film camera

100 mm lens (focal length)

8 inch by 12 inch print size

CVD = 100 mm x 8 inch = 32 inch

25 mm

Reprinted from The Reconstructor, Newsletter of Boster, Kobayashi & Associates.
Volume 1, Issue 2, Fall 1999.

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