Landscape v. Portrait - Which Works Best?
When I’m out taking photos, I often give little thought to the orientation I choose to take the picture. I’d like to think that I instinctively know which orientation (landscape or portrait) works best.
When I took these canal boat photos, I found the first picture boring with no subject. At least with my second attempt, there was some interest because of the reflection of the trees in the water.
Traditional Orientation
If I’m honest though, when it comes to orientation, I think I’m just following the traditional rule of a portrait orientation for tall buildings and portraits, and choosing landscape, well, for landscapes!
Sometimes I photograph a scene both ways because I guess subconsciously I am unhappy with my first choice, but I don’t really give much thought to why. Perhaps, like in the shots below, I know that there will be less clutter and distractions, if I photograph it the other way.
Moving Orientation Off Automatic Pilot
Although this traditional approach, combined with a bit of instinct, works well for a lot of my photos, thinking in that way seems a little boring and too much on automatic pilot for my liking.
Where is the choice? Where is the conscious decision of answering, ‘What will work best for this particular scene in front of me?’ or even, ‘What am I trying to convey in taking this photo?’. I’m sure my photos could be a lot more creative if I were to break the ‘orientation rule’ I’ve described above!
Experimenting With Orientation
Perhaps if I gave some real thought to ‘What is it I’m trying to capture - or play on - in taking this image?’ I could purposely then select the best orientation for the scene in front of me.
For example, in the photos below, I shot Canary Wharf Tower both as a traditional portrait and then again as a landscape shot.
I wanted in the portrait photo to convey a sense of height and grandeur to Canary Wharf Tower. That seemed important to me, as the Tower is currently the tallest building in London and a statement of the new financial hub, so I selected a portrait orientation.
However, since tall buildings are often shot in that way, I photographed the same scene but as a landscape. I think this image has a different feel to it, a bit more calm and a sense of order.
I don’t think one is better; just different, a different perspective.
Over To You - Choosing An Orientation
With the above experiment in mind, I invite you to try and bring more choice into your photography.
Instead of being on automatic pilot when it comes to ’selecting’ an orientation, try to either:
- Pick an orientation that is reflective of the scene in front of you and suitable for it OR
- Pick an orientation that plays on the ‘rules’ to invite the viewer to think & feel something else
I’d be interested to hear what you think about when choosing landscape or portrait.
- What goes through your mind when deciding whether to shoot a photo landscape or portrait?
- Are you aware of the choice you are making or do you think it’s more about gut feeling?
- Do you prefer to stick to the traditional rules or break them up a bit?
I’d love to hear what you think; please feel free to leave a comment.
