Aspect Ratio
Choose landscape, vertical, square, and portrait capture formats from the channels and crops you actually need.
Choose the master format from the distribution plan. Do not assume one crop will serve every channel equally well.
| Format | Best suited for | Capture guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 16:9 landscape | Websites, webinars, presentations, YouTube | Leave lateral space if vertical or square derivatives are planned. |
| 9:16 vertical | Short-form mobile feeds and stories | Compose vertically from the start; keep the face and key action away from interface overlays. |
| 1:1 square | Feed placements and compact embeds | Center the subject but retain enough headroom for captions and titles. |
| 4:5 portrait | Social feeds that reward taller frames | Useful middle ground between landscape masters and full-height vertical video. |
If landscape and vertical versions are both important, a wide, high-resolution master can work for a single stationary speaker. It is less reliable for two speakers, product demonstrations, whiteboards, or action that moves across the frame. In those cases, record a dedicated vertical version or use a second camera.
Keep the original file. Reframing should create a derivative, never destroy the master.