It can be tricky for photographers to choose between portrait or landscape when looking to create a perfect image. There’s much to consider, and the answer may not always be obvious. You may think, for example, that taking a photo of a single person would be taken in portrait. But have you considered the surroundings and whether incorporating them in a landscape image would tell a better story?

In this article, we’ll look at both portrait and landscape orientations and when to choose one rather than the other.

How to choose between portrait or landscape

There are many things to consider when choosing between portrait or landscape. These include subject dimensions, cropping, emphasis, formality, and final presentation.

It sounds like a lot to think about, but the decision will become much more apparent once you are familiar with the concepts.

Subject dimensions when choosing image orientation

One of the deciding factors in choosing between a portrait or landscape orientation is the dimensions of the subject itself. Adjusting the orientation of your camera to fit your subject will become second nature if you bear in mind the dimensions of the subject you’re capturing, and you’ll have an instinct for which format to use to get your shot.

A portrait orientation will allow you to capture a vertical subject in its entirety, whereas a landscape orientation will be perfect for a horizontal subject.

In terms of framing the face and body of a human, a portrait format can be perfect as the vertical nature of the human body works well with a portrait orientation. Vertical subjects like tall buildings, trees, and waterfalls may also benefit from being captured in portrait orientation to be taken in their entirety.

Subjects consisting of horizontal features, such as aircraft and landscapes, could fit better in landscape orientation. Landscape orientation can also provide more room for incorporating additional elements into a photograph.

Cropping your image from portrait to landscape and vice versa

Altering the orientation of your image is a great way to crop out any unwanted elements in a photo, and you can crop either in camera or post-processing. Suppose you’ve taken an image in portrait, for example, that you discover has undesirable elements in vertical aspects. In that case, you can simply crop it into landscape and change the entire flow of your image.

Changing from a portrait to landscape orientation will decrease image height, prioritising your image's horizontal flow. Likewise, if you alter a landscape to portrait orientation, you create a sense of formality. You can also crop to portrait to emphasise a particular aspect or subject contained with the overall image. Cropping out excess information with a portrait orientation will simplify your image and minimise distractions.

Creating emphasis using orientation

The orientation of an image contributes significantly to visual emphasis and tells the viewer exactly what should take priority in your image. Lines, shapes and forms behave differently in different orientations.

A landscape format creates a sense of space and highlights horizontal elements present within an image. However, portrait orientation is restrained and upright and highlights important vertical features.

An orientation that goes against the flow of the image can create visual tension. The viewer’s eyes simply don’t know where to focus, and the image could feel slightly chaotic. It is, however, a great technique to use if you want to create drama. By choosing the orientation that fits your subject’s qualities, you will create a balanced image with a clear line of sight.

A portrait orientation exaggerates the upright elongation of a subject in an image; a portrait orientation also calls to our associations with tall subjects. On the other hand, a landscape orientation emphasises space and expansive scapes.

Portraying formality with portrait or landscape orientation

Formality is usually portrayed in a portrait image and defines the perceived rigidity of a photograph. It evokes feelings of a precise, methodical formula, whereas a landscape image is typically more fluid and flexible, leaving viewers to interpret an image in their own way.

Portrait orientation is associated with the formality of historical portraiture. It is also associated with being upright. The portrait orientation stimulates impressions of height, portraiture, and prestige, whereas conversely, a landscape format can lend a more relaxed, organic appearance to a photograph. It can convey impressions of relaxation, stillness and immersion. Both orientations have remained popular for capturing specific images due to their prevailing use throughout history.

Presenting your image in portrait or landscape

The orientation of your images will impact the way your image is seen by the viewer, whether you’re presenting it digitally or in print.

If you’re exhibiting your image, for instance, in a gallery, the first thing to consider is the room you have available. It would be useless hanging a landscape image if the available space is narrow, for example.

You may also want to consider presenting multiple images in the same orientation to create order and fluidity; however, combining both orientations can give you a feel of spontaneity and energy. It’s all about how you want your viewer to feel when they look at your displayed images.

How to decide on portrait or landscape for photography conclusion

Since the beginning of photography, photographers have been using image orientation to create stunning images that perfectly showcase their subjects.

Taking the subject dimension, cropping, emphasis, formality and final presentation into account will help you to choose the most appropriate image format and decide between portrait and landscape format. The orientation you choose should reinforce your imagery and turn an okay photograph into a beautiful image.

As with everything we cover in our guides, practice makes perfect, and because photography is an art form and art is, after all, subjective, there’s no right or wrong answer. If you’re unsure which orientation to use, try both and see what results you get.

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