Why Do People Shoot Phone Videos in Portrait Mode?

Ever felt irritated when scrolling through your favorite video app and encounter videos that are in portrait orientation, despite the camera naturally being aimed horizontally? This article aims to explore the reasons behind this common yet anachronistic practice and its implications.

Understanding the Fundamentals of Video Orientation

Video, much like film and television, is traditionally shot in landscape mode. This format aligns with how content is typically consumed and displayed on television and movie screens. However, contemporary smartphones and popular apps have unintentionally reinforced the preference for portrait videos. This has led to a widespread misunderstanding about the correct way to film videos.

Lack of Knowledge and Muscle Memory

The primary cause of misorientation in video shooting stems from a lack of knowledge. Many users, when wielding their smartphones, fall into the habit of holding the device vertically for various tasks, from messaging to watching videos. This vertical orientation becomes a muscle memory, leading them to default to a portrait orientation when recording videos. The familiarity of this position makes it more comfortable and subconscious, though incorrect.

Marketing Anomalies and User Behavior

Platforms like TikTok have played a significant role in propagating the practice of shooting videos in portrait mode. These apps often generate content consumption patterns that are more likely to engage users, leading them to believe that vertical videos are the norm. This reinforces the misconception among new users that vertical orientation is the correct way to film videos.

The Consequences of Portrait Mode Videoing

The incorrect orientation undermines video quality and hampers the viewing experience. The natural format for viewing videos is the landscape format, which is optimized for wider screens and better screen-to-space ratio. Post-filming corrections, such as rotating the video, add unnecessary strain and can result in missed details or awkward compositions.

Quality Loss and Device Limitations

The issue is further compounded by the technical limitations of smartphones. Many users don't take advantage of high-quality video capturing features, such as using dedicated video modes. Filmic Pro, for instance, is an app known for its high-quality output, but its absence from many users' toolkits means they are missing out on potential improvements in video quality. Simply shooting in landscape mode can enhance overall video quality and ensure viewers receive the best possible experience.

Display Standards and Content Archiving

From a technical standpoint, the landscape orientation aligns with display standards such as 4:3, 16:9, and 21:9. These formats have been developed to optimize content for various screen sizes and ensure a pleasing viewing experience. Vertical videos, on the other hand, are an anachronism that creates lower-quality archives. Not only do they look aesthetically displeasing, but they also occupy more space on storage with reduced vertical resolution.

A Call for Change

Given the widespread acceptance of landscape videos, it is essential to address this issue from a user and developer perspective. Device manufacturers and app developers should incorporate features to encourage users to shoot videos in landscape mode. For instance, a "landscape video reminder" or a mode that prioritizes landscape orientation could be implemented to help users form the correct habit.

Conclusion

The practice of shooting videos in portrait mode is not just a matter of personal preference but a significant factor in video quality and user experience. By recognizing the prevalent issues and working towards solutions, the video landscape can be transformed to deliver enhanced content for both creators and viewers alike.