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S
S de Saulles
Participating Frequently
April 17, 2023
Open for Voting

P: Change designation from Aspect Ratio to Orientation

  • April 17, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 357 views

Just about every photographer using a camera and Lightroom would understand what is meant by "portrait or landscape" to define a photograph's orientation - (long edge horizontal for Landscape and vertical for portrait.)

Most photographers also know that "aspect ratio" refers to the ratio of one edge length to the other. 3:2 or 7:5 etc.

So, why on earth do Adobe "smart collection" have a filter called "Aspect Ratio" which then lists "Portrait, Landscape or Square" as the three available options? So two orientations and a 1:1 aspect ratio are sort of mixed up. 

Why do Adobe misuse "aspect ratio" for filters for smart collection to mean orientation?

And no consistency, in the Crop in the Develop model they offer "Aspect Ratio" correctly to be, well, aspect ratio and not orientation.

Mad? Or is there a reason?

Why not use industry standard nomenclature? 

Could we ask Adobe to call orientation, well, orientation?

    2 replies

    tylerhill
    tylerhill
    Participant
    June 9, 2023

    Hello,

     

    I was wondering why the Aspect Ratio metadata filter currently only sorts by photo orientation. Given the name, one would expect it to filter by standard aspect ratios (3:2, 4:5, 16:9, etc.). Perhaps this can be updated or renamed in a future update. For instance, why not call it "Orientation" if it sorts by horizontal & vertical images? That would make more sense than calling it "Aspect Ratio"-- a term with a specific meaning. 

     

    I am currently using LR Classic v 12.3, on Mac OS.

      johnrellis
      johnrellis
      Legend
      June 10, 2023

      To filter by the true (numeric) aspect ratio, you'll need the Any Filter plugin. 

       

      I think Adobe's misuse of the term "aspect ratio" dates from the beginning of LR, and thus in my opinion it's very unlikely Adobe will ever change it.

      johnrellis
      johnrellis
      Legend
      April 21, 2023

      I fully agree. But the inconsistent, non-standard use of "aspect ratio" to mean "orientation" has been present from the beginning, and I'm very skeptical it will ever get changed.

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