Horizontal vs. Vertical Composition

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There's no need to highlight the importance of composition in creating powerful images with impact. There is also a lot that can be studied about it, and it's a good idea to gain at least some knowledge of it. As you well know, there are several rules of composition that are proven to help take powerful photographs. However, they don't always work for every subject and putting careful thought into every frame always pays off.

Usually the first question for most photographers when they find themselves face to face with a new subject is how do I frame it? Do I shoot in portrait or landscape orientation?

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Obviously, there is no standard answer to this question, as each subject is different. But no matter whether you're shooting a portrait in the studio or a temple high up in Tibet, the first thing you should do is to try both. Shoot in landscape mode first, but don't forget to try a vertical frame also. You might have a rich imagination, but it's not until you see both frames in the viewfinder that you will truly appreciate which type of composition is best.

Watch for leading lines that can lead the eyes to the subject, but don't shy away from putting them in contrast with other visual elements. Also, don't get caught up in stereotypes. They call it landscape orientation because it's used a lot with this kind of photography, but it can be great for portraits as well. The same goes for vertical composition, otherwise known as portrait orientation.

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Here is photographer Bryan Peterson explaining vertical and horizontal composition into his video from Adorama TV.

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