Format shape

[cliveh]

As the lens resolves the image in a circle, why are most images printed in a square or rectangle. Is it man’s attempt to fit in with Euclidean geometry of our buildings?

 

[Sirius Glass]

George Eastman and Edison preferred the round format, but the inefficiency from the corner loss of negatives and prints drove the market to the rectangular form and the perfect format called square. <<chuckle>>, <<chuckle>>

 

[tedr1]

The tradition of rectangular images is older than photography and probably associated with book illustration in the days of wood block engravings. There is also the tradition of rectangular framed drawings and paintings that goes back centuries also.

 

[Luckless]

Accurately cutting straight even lines is a lot easier than accurately cutting curves. Framing them are also a bit easier than making a round frame.

 

[Prof_Pixel]

Google Golden Ratio and/or see https://www.goldennumber.net/golden-ratio-history/