Is Vertical or Horizontal Better for Your Photography?

The age-old question in photography is whether to shoot vertically or horizontally. Choosing between these two orientations depends on several factors, including the subject matter, composition, the platform you plan to share your photos on, and your personal preferences.

Subject Matter

When considering the subject of your photo, vertical orientation can be best for portraits and tall subjects like trees or buildings. This format helps emphasize the height and provides a more intimate look. On the other hand, horizontal orientation is ideal for landscapes, group photos, and wide scenes. Horizontal photos provide a broader context and help capture the full view of a landscape or wide area.

Composition

Composing your photo is crucial for effectively telling a story. Vertical orientation can create a sense of intimacy, leading the viewer’s eye up and down the vertical lines. Horizontal orientation, however, can provide a broader context, capturing more of the environment. Consider the predominant lines in the scene you’re shooting. If the predominant lines are up and down, a vertical orientation is likely the best choice. Conversely, if most of the lines are horizontal, go with a horizontal orientation.

Platform

The platform on which you plan to share your photos should also influence your decision. Social media platforms have different preferences:

Instagram: Typically favors vertical images for better visual impact and to fit the screening ratio. Facebook and Twitter: Often works better with horizontal images to ensure the entire photo is visible without any cropping. Print media: In print, vertical or square orientations can work well for portraits, while horizontal orientations are suitable for larger landscape views.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, your personal style and the story you want to tell with the image should guide your decision. Your preferences and the message you wish to convey are the most important factors. Even though there are general guidelines for subject matter and composition, your personal vision and artistic expression are what make your photos unique.

For instance, before shooting, consider these tips:

Look for predominant vertical lines in the scene if your subject is tall or trees/barns. Focus on predominant horizontal lines if your subject is wide or spans a larger area. Take a few shots in both orientations and analyze which works best to capture the desired subject and context.

Additionally, you can strategically choose your composition:

Functionally remove unwanted elements in the scene by capturing them in the original orientation. For example, if there is a truck parked in the wrong spot or ugly power lines over a building, you can eliminate these from your frame while shooting. Adjust your position and angle to eliminate any distractions from your final image, making the capture cleaner and more focused.

Remember, photography is an art of subtraction as well as addition. What you choose to leave out of the frame is just as important as what you include. By carefully considering the subject, composition, and platform, you can make the best decision regarding vertical or horizontal orientation for your photos.