Billedformat

Billedformat is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to describe the format or proportions of an image or picture. In everyday use, billedformat can refer to either the aspect ratio—the proportional relationship between width and height of the image—or to the actual printable size of a photograph or display area.

In photography and cinema, common aspect ratios include 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 and 1:1. The choice of billedformat affects composition, framing, and how the image fills a sensor, print, or screen. For example, 3:2 mirrors the traditional 35 mm frame, while 16:9 is typical for modern video. The concept is important for how an image is viewed on different devices or in physical media, and it guides cropping decisions during shooting or editing.

In print production, billedformat also covers standard print sizes, such as 10×15 cm (4×6 in), 13×18 cm, and larger formats, where cropping must be planned to fit the chosen size. The term helps photographers, designers, and printers align expectations about how an image will appear when displayed or reproduced.

Billedformat is distinct from file formats that store image data, such as JPEG or PNG, though discussions about billedformat can intersect with file handling when preparing images for specific displays or platforms.