The Visual Toolbox: 60 Lessons for Stronger Photographs

Lesson 47. Orientation of Frame

Somewhere along the line someone got the goofy idea that a vertical orientation of the rectangular frame should be called a “portrait” orientation and the horizontal orientation should be called “landscape.” And so thousands of new photographers are given yet another ridiculous guideline that will hinder their creativity for years to come unless they stop thinking in these terms. If you search for tips on landscape photography you’ll find, over and over again, the helpful advice to “try landscapes in portrait orientation,” and conversely, a similar search for portrait tips will tell you to “try it in landscape orientation!” Great. The orientation of your frame should have nothing to do with the category of subject ...