it.
Additionally, research has proven this aspect ratio artistically
sound because it duplicates the dimensions of normal human vision,
horizontal range one-third greater than the vertical range. Therefore,
when you design graphics for a television production using this ratio, it
allows for maximum use of the picture area and correct framing by the
camera operator.
b. One-sixth Rule.
When creating graphics for television
productions, you must consider the edge loss television cameras have.
With slides, film, and graphics presented using an opaque projector, the
projector crops the graphic image and shows the cropped image on the
screen. The television camera crops the image as it picks up the image,
and the monitor or television crops it again before you see it. In other
words, the television system crops the image twice.
To overcome this
loss, you must build in a safety field using the one-sixth rule.
(1) Applying the one-sixth rule. To apply this rule, you divide
the camera field (the total area of the picture) into six equal parts,
vertically and horizontally.
The area comprised of the 16 center
rectangles make up the safe area (figure 2-16). This is the area where
you place the important features of the graphic (figure 2-17).
Figure 2-16.
Safety field (one-sixth rule)
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