Portraiture in Landscape format

[ajax_andy]

I was wondering what people's thoughts are on taking portraiture photos in Landscape format?

I seem to take about 90% of all portraiture shots in Landscape as I like the flexibility in compostion it offers, but was wondering if I'm missing something here? After all its called "Portraiture" so you'd think portrait orientation would be a better option for shooting this kind of shot? For me it just never works as well tho?!

[zona5101]

its really up to you. Having the option to crop from the horizontal to vertical is a good option and easy enough to do with digital. So if you want the negative space/environmental elements you can leave it in...or if it doesn't add to it crop it out. I don't see a down side unless your camera was pixel challenged.

[BigFuzzy]

Honestly, for me it's just a matter of what I'm trying to achieve.. if I need lots of space to the left/right to achieve what feel I want, then landscape it is.

I've done quite a few portraits in Landscape mode and I think they work quite well especially the first one which took advantage of the lines. Had I done it in portrait mode I'd have lost that.





So, just do what you feel you need to do to get the shot in your head.

[SwissJon]

LoL.. I often take Landscape photos in Portrait format. I don't see why you shouldn't shoot portrits in Landscape format.. In fact, most of the portraits I have done (Which aren't many) are in Landscape format simply because for me, this allows the use of the surrounding space to make the photograph more dynamic.

Do whatever you want, just so long as you know why you're doing it, and you do it purposefully. It's your camera, and your art.

[prince]

I have done similar to SwissJon.. sometimes landscape photos in portrait format look better.

There is no "rule of thumb" as to the orientation. You can take both and see what you prefer after

Thinking ahead will also save you time on cropping tons of photos later.

[ajax_andy]

Thanks for the comments everyone... yeah tbh I am quite happy shooting Landscape orientation portraits as for me they work better... I do the odd one or two in portrait but I think my style suits Landscape better.

It was more that it suddenly occured to me that its an oddity in some ways shooting more portraits in landscape than portrait... but it seems like there's nothing wrong with that really, and it just comes down to the shot and what you want to achieve

[Bruce A]

Why can't you all just do as you're told!

Landscapes = Landscape orientation
Portraits = Portrait orientation

Recalcitrant bloody lot you are!