Abstract Landscape or Portrait?

**iheiramo** · 11-20-2019, 06:50 AM - **1 Like**

I'd go for square frame from about center of the landscape shot, if that's allowed. If not, then portrait. I have had a portrait landscape phase going on for some time now and often find it offers more interesting composition. Probably due to shooting lot of landscapes with tele lenses during last couple of years.

bobtheicicle · 11-20-2019, 08:11 AM - **1 Like**

I'll add another vote for the landscape orientation, but you may also want to consider a square crop for a shot like this (as iheiramo already mentioned). It might be able to help you achieve a "best of both worlds" look by focusing the image on the most interesting bits. I've found this is a good compromise for some of my shots, after I started shooting an old medium format TLR.

**MSL** · 11-20-2019, 08:26 AM - **1 Like**

Landscape. Draws you in to the "tunnel" created by the trees in a way the portrait version does not.

ChristianRock · 11-21-2019, 09:50 AM

Originally posted by iheiramo

I'd go for square frame from about center of the landscape shot, if that's allowed. If not, then portrait. I have had a portrait landscape phase going on for some time now and often find it offers more interesting composition. Probably due to shooting lot of landscapes with tele lenses during last couple of years.

Now that is something I hadn't considered before.

I also like portrait landscapes. For a waterfall or a river, for example, it presents very interesting possibilities that a landscape doesn't.

In this one, I don't really feel that the pavement in the landscape is too big and distracting, but since a lot of people think so, it probably just shows I have a lot to learn.

ChristianRock · 11-21-2019, 09:51 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by bobtheicicle

I'll add another vote for the landscape orientation, but you may also want to consider a square crop for a shot like this (as iheiramo already mentioned). It might be able to help you achieve a "best of both worlds" look by focusing the image on the most interesting bits. I've found this is a good compromise for some of my shots, after I started shooting an old medium format TLR.

Interesting, thanks for the comment. I wish I could go back and try a square composition like you said (a crop just wouldn't work) - but those leaves are gone by now. Maybe next year

ChristianRock · 11-21-2019, 09:51 AM

Originally posted by MSL

Landscape. Draws you in to the "tunnel" created by the trees in a way the portrait version does not.

Thank you. That is also something to consider! The landscape version does enhance that "tunnel effect".

800rate · 11-24-2019, 08:37 AM - **1 Like**

anything to do with water. I like this a lot

08amczb · 11-26-2019, 08:58 AM - **1 Like**

The portrait works for me. Both are good!

Tale · 11-30-2019, 04:13 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ChristianRock

I'm not sure which one I like best...

And yes I know the horizon isn't really level in the first one. The 2nd one is more accurate.

It is tough decision... I would prefer if landscape would have wider, higher view (level, crop concrete...) or crop portrait with most of concrete out...

**luftfluss** · 11-30-2019, 05:35 PM - **1 Like**

Put me down for the portrait orientation. The geometry is more striking that way.

**MossyRocks** · 12-01-2019, 06:08 PM - **1 Like**

Like most everyone else I'm going with landscape as well. I like how the curves of the branches lead me across the scene and it there really seems to be 3 nice evenly divided sections. I'd love to shoot here off of a tripod, maybe a little wider, and either earlier or later in the day with the sun lower coming in from the right like it is starting to or finishing doing. There is a nice photo here to be had.

11-20-2019, 08:11 AM - 1 Like	#17
bobtheicicle Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 65	I'll add another vote for the landscape orientation, but you may also want to consider a square crop for a shot like this (as iheiramo already mentioned). It might be able to help you achieve a "best of both worlds" look by focusing the image on the most interesting bits. I've found this is a good compromise for some of my shots, after I started shooting an old medium format TLR. Last edited by bobtheicicle; 11-20-2019 at 08:48 AM.

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11-20-2019, 06:50 AM - 1 Like	#16
iheiramo Unoriginal Poster Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Espoo Photos: Albums Posts: 3,182	I'd go for square frame from about center of the landscape shot, if that's allowed. If not, then portrait. I have had a portrait landscape phase going on for some time now and often find it offers more interesting composition. Probably due to shooting lot of landscapes with tele lenses during last couple of years.

11-20-2019, 08:26 AM - 1 Like	#18
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	Landscape. Draws you in to the "tunnel" created by the trees in a way the portrait version does not.

11-21-2019, 09:50 AM	#19
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by iheiramo I'd go for square frame from about center of the landscape shot, if that's allowed. If not, then portrait. I have had a portrait landscape phase going on for some time now and often find it offers more interesting composition. Probably due to shooting lot of landscapes with tele lenses during last couple of years. Now that is something I hadn't considered before. I also like portrait landscapes. For a waterfall or a river, for example, it presents very interesting possibilities that a landscape doesn't. In this one, I don't really feel that the pavement in the landscape is too big and distracting, but since a lot of people think so, it probably just shows I have a lot to learn.

11-21-2019, 09:51 AM - 1 Like	#20
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by bobtheicicle I'll add another vote for the landscape orientation, but you may also want to consider a square crop for a shot like this (as iheiramo already mentioned). It might be able to help you achieve a "best of both worlds" look by focusing the image on the most interesting bits. I've found this is a good compromise for some of my shots, after I started shooting an old medium format TLR. Interesting, thanks for the comment. I wish I could go back and try a square composition like you said (a crop just wouldn't work) - but those leaves are gone by now. Maybe next year

11-21-2019, 09:51 AM	#21
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by MSL Landscape. Draws you in to the "tunnel" created by the trees in a way the portrait version does not. Thank you. That is also something to consider! The landscape version does enhance that "tunnel effect".

11-24-2019, 08:37 AM - 1 Like	#22
800rate Banned Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 252	anything to do with water. I like this a lot

11-26-2019, 08:58 AM - 1 Like	#23
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796	The portrait works for me. Both are good!

11-30-2019, 04:13 PM - 1 Like	#24
Tale Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Novi Sad Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 263	Originally posted by ChristianRock I'm not sure which one I like best... And yes I know the horizon isn't really level in the first one. The 2nd one is more accurate. It is tough decision... I would prefer if landscape would have wider, higher view (level, crop concrete...) or crop portrait with most of concrete out...

11-30-2019, 05:35 PM - 1 Like	#25
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Put me down for the portrait orientation. The geometry is more striking that way.

12-01-2019, 06:08 PM - 1 Like	#26
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Like most everyone else I'm going with landscape as well. I like how the curves of the branches lead me across the scene and it there really seems to be 3 nice evenly divided sections. I'd love to shoot here off of a tripod, maybe a little wider, and either earlier or later in the day with the sun lower coming in from the right like it is starting to or finishing doing. There is a nice photo here to be had.