I think one of the most common photography “crimes” is taking the majority of photos in the landscape orientation – you know, holding our cameras the normal horizontal way. I realized that I needed to start turning my camera when I started printing out my photos for framing. There are all these cute collages that are half-done because I don’t have any pictures in the portrait orientation!
So, I’ve started turning my camera 90 degrees before I click the shutter. I’ve been very happy with the results so far – my pictures take on a whole different look when they are vertical instead of horizontal.
Here is an example:
This picture is really nice, but it doesn’t (to me) have the same impact as the picture below.
The longer reflection from the sun is much more dramatic.
This isn’t always the case – lots of times a landscape orientation will be the better option. It’s all about experimenting. In fact, that is this week’s fun assignment! Try taking a picture with the landscape orientation, and then turn the camera 90 degrees. See which one you like the most! Then upload them to the flickr group I set up so we can all give advice and compliments. And the best part is that my three favorites will win a box of HP Advanced Photo Paper, each with special access to Disney’s Print Magic on Disney.com!
If you don’t have a flickr account, just link to your photos in the comments.
Have fun everyone! I’m really excited to see what you all come up with!
Mrs. Wilson says:
I’m not a huge fan of portrait orientation, but that photo of yours is incredible and may inspire me to do it a bit more often and check out that Flickr group.
Thanks!!
Erin says:
I am constantly taking pictures vertically- in fact, I think I take too many! I love my new Rebel XSi and have already taken so many great pictures of my daughter that I swear it’s paid for itself.
Heather says:
So, you need to turn your camera the other way!
I totally agree about the camera – it’s the best investment I ever made!
Kristin says:
Sounds like fun. When should we have the pics up by?
Heather says:
by Thursday!
Jessica says:
Hi! I just added pictures to the group, but i am not sure if it is what you are looking for or not? if its not what you are looking for, let me know so i have an excuse to go out and take more pictures!
Heather says:
those pictures are gorgeous! But yeah, take some more, and have them be in portrait orientation!
StephanieInCanda says:
I will try to take 2 pictures of a lanscape, can it be anything ? or it has to be a sunset…so sorry with the dumb questions, sometimes I have an hard time with my english
Lamb says:
Oh this sounds so fun! I’m off to get my camera!
Liz says:
I just wanted to say that I am really enjoying the photos you have been posting! It’s a wonderful idea. Also, I’m so glad you are going to be sharing photo tips here. I look forward to helpful hints and discussions. Thank you!
jenny says:
I wanted to let you know that the “older entries” linky-thinga-ma-bobber (techie term) is not working. Here is the message if you need it:
You 404’d it. Gnarly, dude.Surfin’ ain’t easy, and right now, you’re lost at sea. But don’t worry; simply pick an option from the list below, and you’ll be back out riding the waves of the Internet in no time.
Hit the “back” button on your browser. It’s perfect for situations like this!
Head on over to the home page.
Punt.
Melissa says:
Ooh, an assignment! I’m so much better at doing some things when I’ve been “assigned” it as a task. Will you be doing more of these in the future? I’d like that.
Chris says:
I had to laugh–because I too have way too many collages I can’t finish because I don’t have pictures in the portrait style. Must change that–plus, I’m no photographer, I’ll take any tips I can get.
Thanks Heather.
PS- totally agreed with your earlier post about getting in front of the camera too. I’ve been going through photographs since we lost my mom and there are SO few where she wasn’t behind the camera, and that makes me really sad.
Laura says:
I’m loving this assignment post…please make them frequent! I just got a Cannon Rebel T2i (or Ti2?) for my 30th birthday and I’m WAY off the learning curve on it! I’ll try and take some pictures of B and see what I end up with. Thanks Teach!
Cheryl says:
Funny, I have the opposite problem. I shoot almost exclusively in portrait/vertical mode. I just like the way those images LOOK better… unless you use a fish eye, or really wide angle (e.g. 15-18mm), I think it’s hard to capture an image well in landscape/horizontal mode. Or at least that’s been my experience.
Anyway, good for you for breaking out of your photo comfort zone!
Clair says:
Awesome! I’m trying to take more photos over the next few months. This will be fun.
Carrie says:
Thanks for this! I have a rebel as well and am a total newbie with it. And with photography in general. I love it and can’t wait to learn more about it but I have 2.5 year old twin boys so…well, some day I’ll read the manual. Perhaps your next photography post could explain what “mode” my camera should be in when taking pics of more than one person. I am pretty sure I would use portrait when taking a pic of one of my boys but with both – if I use portrait – one seems to come out blurry. Sorry to hijack the thread with a question. Anyway. Love the blog.
Tamela says:
I just suckered myself into adding a Flickr pro account, which I’ve actually wanted to do for a while, but I’m too darn cheap. This will be fun!!
Angela says:
Do you think you would get the same effect by cropping after you’ve taken the picture? I tend to just crop after the fact – but it may be better to do it at the onset.
Christen says:
When I realize I’ve forgotten to take enough portrait pictures, I just end up cropping them in iPhoto. Cheating? Yeah, but isn’t that make me a good candidate for Aiming Low? heehee…
Sharon says:
I’m such a photography geek that I have tons of photos of subjects taken in both horizontal and portrait orientation. Are we limited to one “entry” per person or can we upload more? Love your blog, BTW!
Aubrey says:
I usually have to remind myself that my camera will work in the landscape direction too. I always am taking portrait style pictures. I guess it can be attributed to working in an actual family portrait studio for almost 2 years…oh well I will figure it out. And yes your photography is amazing! I love the effect the portrait has even though I love all the mountains in the landscape photo.
Jewl says:
Heather!
Great post, you are absolutely correct. Now try this. I never take a “straight” photo ever! (personal that is) tip it, do it any way but straight, just at an angle, put someones feet in the corner instead of along the bottom, its just more fun! and when you collage them its so pleasing to the eye. Now that said. .. check out our website and build a “spohr” or “Annie” collage and I’ll give you an incredible deal! everybody’s doin it! haha. http://www.fourcheesephotography.com Keep on keepin on! -Jewl
MamaCas says:
I used to HATE the portrait orientation….then I started trolling around the internet and checking out various photo blogs. I now do at least 60% of my photos that way. Also? I learned to SHUT OFF my flash. My pics are a million times better now.
I don’t have one specific comparison shot like the example you used….but here’s the link to my amateur photo blog. I’m quite proud of my “work”! http://mamacasphotos.blogspot.com/
Bothell Landscaping says:
I think the bottom picture frames in the directional path of the light much better. Did you use a polarized filter? I bet that would make a difference also.
Edmonton Real Estate says:
I never thought of that actually. I usually take landscape pictures vertically. I don’t know but I’m used to doing so. Even most of my friends do the same thing. But I like the horizontal effect. The reflectionof the sun did have a good emphasis on the water.
Sherry lane says:
Man, I missed the cut off! I will not be able to upload anything today! More challenges please!!
Melissa says:
I uploaded mine yesterday and they were there…but now they are gone? Did I break a rule? I’m so confused…
Leigh says:
wow that is amazing what a difference there is! I took a lot of pics today and really dig the portrait vantage point – very cool! thanks!
Leigh says:
Ok I just uploaded my 2. I don’t know if the contest is over? I am “Mom2K” on Flickr. FUN!
Emily says:
When I order my prints from Shutterfly, I often find myself cropping landscape photos into portraits … I think you are on to something!!
TJ McDowell says:
I usually switch up landscape and portrait orientation frequently. On days where we’re shooting video too, it tends to end up landscape because my “stabilizing” video equipment attached to my camera makes it a pain to turn the camera and attached gear to portrait.