ff
Some photographers struggle with understanding portrait vs landscape photography. If you feel like this topic is unfamiliar to you or uncertain what it really means, read up and let this sink in for your next photo session.
Whether you’re an amateur or expert photographer, it’s better to have clarity between portrait and landscape photography. In this post, we will also learn about the best camera settings, the preferred aperture and desired lighting for the two camera orientations.
[table id=6 /]
When we talk about portrait vs landscape orientation, it refers to the page orientation of the photograph. Also, it is used to describe the camera mode and genre of photography when capturing photos.
By technical definition, a landscape image is wider or shot in a horizontal layout. On the other hand, a portrait image is captured in a vertical layout, and it is taller than wider.
Now that you know the difference between portrait vs landscape orientation, the question is: what is the best orientation to use? No one can answer this but you.
As a photographer, you must be able to discern on what kind of photo you want to create, the scene you want to capture, and the emotions you want to reflect. When choosing between portrait vs landscape orientation, here are three factors you should consider: SUBJET, SCENE, and PURPOSE.
These three fundamentals are what will make you decide whether to use portrait or landscape in your photo. In addition, also learn how to emphasize the elements in your photo, how to tone down the elements, create harmony, and balance the visual tension. No matter what you decide on, it is best to practice, practice, practice!
Portrait photography includes headshots of a person, a one person or one object photo, or graduation photos. The face and head will sit more naturally with portrait orientation, and the subject is taller, not looking wider.
Amateur photographers know that this is the accepted practice. But do not let the norm limit your eye for creativity. Portrait orientation is also used to capture a full-body image like in fashion photoshoots.
When you take close-up pictures of tall buildings or big trees, the portrait orientation can give that dynamic feel as if the structure towers over you.
The portrait composition depends on your subject’s positioning: whether it’s vertical or horizontal. For example, if you photograph a horizontal object, like a tall building, using portrait composition will require a certain dynamic.
The tall building must be photographed at nearby proximity, and expect to include only parts of the building, not the whole. Doing otherwise will create space on either side of the building, and this will make the object vulnerable and small in the picture.
The portrait or vertical orientation can completely transform the emotions of one photo, but of the same scene. It can draw more attention, bring the objects closer, and at the same time larger.
The portrait orientation also completely elongates the depth of field of an image. This gives a broader angle-feel of the view, even if the same focal length and the point-and-shoot camera is used. The advantage of using the portrait orientation in portrait photography is it focuses the viewer’s eye on the photo’s subject.
With portrait orientation, expect to have less space on its background elements. So if the subject of your photo focuses more on the object alone, and the background does not need much emphasis, the portrait mode will bring more context.
This is proven by the automatic features of some camera phones. This is especially true for the Portrait mode of iPhones where the background automatically blurs.
Landscape photography is popularly used for landscape photography, panorama landscapes, nature or group photos. The primary reason to use the landscape orientation is when you want to include many elements in the image.
This means that the purpose of your photo is to capture the object as a whole, like skies, lake or mountain ranges. The goal of landscape orientation is to create an exciting and dramatic image.
But the question is: can you use the portrait format for landscape scenes? Of course, you can, as long as you pick the right composition. Say, for example, you’re taking a photo of a large object like a boulder or giant trees, and portrait orientation will create a more dramatic feel.
In summary, landscape orientation is best used for:
For those who are starting in the field of photography, remembering when to use portrait vs landscape orientation will guide you to the basics. If you’re starting out, this is okay, but do not forget to try other tips and tricks.
You can explore a different orientation for other types of photo composition to create a masterpiece. Photography is about trial and error, and thankfully we are not in the era where you have to go to a photo studio and have your film developed before you can see the product of your trial and error.
Imagine the photographers from 20 years ago on how much money they spent with their practice photography, right? Thankfully we live in the era of digital photography, where trial and error does not cost much.
The composition of landscape orientation is all about space. When you take a landscape image, it feels spacious or has enough room to breathe.
If you capture the same subject from the same position, compare the landscape and portrait format. In landscape orientation, you would see less of the subject as there will be more space in the image.
If you feel that there are many empty and meaningless spaces on the image, you can step in closer to the subject to capture lesser elements. The overall feel of the image would be less powerful, less imposing, yet more vulnerable and more regal.
Here are some tips in capturing a vertical subject for landscape orientation:
The landscape orientation tends to create more space. But can you use the landscape orientation for close up photography? Yes, you can, and this can be used in creating photographic art. The space, may it be lesser or more, can create an entirely different feel.
With landscape orientation, you can take photos of wide-open spaces like the sea, a mountain range, and clouds. The dramatic feel comes from the different elements that will feast the eye of your viewers.
Landscape orientation affects the background elements through the horizontal lines. It gives that feeling of balance and security in the image. When you photograph vertically, you cut off horizontal lines in the scene which removes that secure and restful feeling.
Using the landscape orientation will allow you to capture the object of the photo, while the background elements will tell a lot of stories.
When it comes to panorama landscapes, of course, you have to use the landscape orientation. Panorama landscapes can be created as wide as you want, more detail, have a higher resolution, and minimized lens vignetting when it comes to capturing panoramas use as many manual settings as possible.
Letting the camera make decisions for you will not produce a consistent outcome. Panorama landscapes require a manual shooting mode so it can capture multiple images. The automatic mode may change its capture settings in a split second, and the whole panorama will be different.
Lighting will always affect the final output of portrait vs landscape orientation. Seasoned photographers know how the light can form a dramatic effect on the object of the photo. In the next sections, you will learn the types of lighting, and which are best for portrait vs landscape orientation.
Lighting pattern defines how the shadow and light play across face to face to create the illusion of different shapes. There are four common types of portrait lighting patterns:
There are some challenges when it comes to controlling the light in landscape photography. Unlike portrait photography, where you can use artificial sources of light, in landscape photography, you have to depend on the sun as your source of light.
Few photographers know that the lighting principles used in portrait photography can actually help with capturing that dramatic effect. Here are some light effects photographer’s use with landscape orientation.
There are different camera settings in digital cameras nowadays. In portrait and landscape orientation, you can use different camera modes, and it can produce various outcomes.
With a portrait orientation, your camera will automatically think that you are shooting a person if it’s not in manual mode. You will usually have a person’s profile icon, and depth of field is usually narrow. You may want to choose well lit and bright camera settings for portraits.
When it comes to landscape camera mode, the camera automatically thinks that you are shooting a scene. If the camera is not in manual mode, the depth of field automatically goes wider, usually a smaller aperture.
You will usually see a mountain icon, and these are excellent options for occasional shooters. Yes, this is the desired camera settings for landscape photography, but it will still depend on the subject, scene and purpose of the image.
Do not rely on the automatic camera settings, and get used in manipulating your camera. The beauty of photography flourishes when you can produce an image with the mix-and-match of your unusual combination of camera settings.
Aperture is the opening of a camera lens, and it will define the amount of light that enters through the camera. You can shrink or enlarge the aperture size of your camera to control how much light goes in.
As for portraits, wide apertures are best used so you can capture a narrow depth of field. It is best to use apertures f/2.8-f/5.6 to achieve that blurry background, and so the subject of the photo stands out better.
There are special portrait lenses that have wider maximum apertures. In this case, portrait photographers use f/1.4 to f/2.8 for a blurrier background and emphasized subject.
As for landscape orientation and you want to include all the elements in the photo, you might want to use narrow apertures. For landscape photography, f/8 and higher are used to have a sharper shot.
So which is better? Which orientation has more advantages? If you practice more, and figure out which works best, you will know the answer.
The truth is, there may be a recommended orientation for particular scenery. If you follow these, you are safe, and you will more likely capture a great shot. But is a great shot enough? Or do you want to go out of your comfort zone and produce a one of a kind masterpiece?
The bottom line is how you envision the outcome of the image, and what is that you want to achieve. The conventional rules are there to guide you, but your unique eye and talent will make you stand out.
So whether you’re into panorama landscapes or you’re not quite sure of the best portrait lighting to use, all you need to do is to practice. Experience is the best teacher you can have in the world of photography.
The weather can be unpredictable, even in the most temperate of climates. Rainy days can…
Haze can be a photographer's ally, but it is a trouble to endure most of…
As a landscape photographer, you often find yourself drawn to the expansive views and deep…
When you're traveling, it's always a good idea to travel light. The fewer things you're…
Volcano photography is an enriching hobby. Even though a lot of work goes into the…
You may not have heard of Norway’s second largest island, Senja Island. This underrated must-visit…