The way you turn your camera when taking your photos may not seem like a big deal, but it can make all the difference when it comes to how your photo turns out. This article will help you decide whether you should choose Portrait or Landscape for your scenes.

What is the Difference Between Portrait and Landscape?

It’s easy to get the two confused! Landscape is a wide shot that features a horizontal layout while a portrait shot is vertical.

Which One Should I Choose?

The choice between portrait and landscape depends on a few factors, most important of which are subject, scene, and purpose.

Subject

The subject is the main subject you are taking the picture of. If you are taking a picture of one person, portrait is best. If you are taking a group shot, go with landscape.

Scene

Scene refers to the background of the photo. So, if your subject is standing in front of a beautiful landscape, you may want to use a wide-angle shot to capture it all, even if your subject is just one person.

Purpose

In some cases, turning the camera one way or another can change the message the image is sending. For instance, portrait photography is recommended if you want something to look long and tall, such as an imposing building. It focuses on the subject and eliminates the scene.

Landscape can add excitement and drama to an image. It’s great for group shots, events, and street and landscape photography. It provides a feeling of spaciousness.

Because landscape involves more data, it’s important to use the rules of thirds. You must also be careful to create enough distance between the viewer and subject which can be achieved by taking a few steps back.

Considerations for Landscape vs. Portrait

For best results, consider the Lighting and setting you are using for landscape and portrait. Here are some things you will need to think about.

Lighting

The best lighting for portrait photography is as follows:

Split Lighting

Split lighting lights one side of a subject and shadows the other. It makes a dramatic effect in portrait photography.

Loop Lighting

Loop lighting involves a light source a little higher than eye level. The camera should be about 30 – 45 degrees distance from the subject. This is ideal for eliminating shadows.

Butterfly Lighting

Butterfly lighting requires the camera to be above and behind the camera. This will place the shadow under the nose.

Broad Lighting

Broad lighting is produced when the light is facing the camera. It casts light on the broad side of the face.

Short Lighting

For this effect, you must place the light so it illuminates the part of the person’s face farthest from the camera.

When you are shooting landscape photography, you must rely on natural elements for lighting. It’s important to pay attention to the light and shadow balance. You can also use a post-processing effect called dodging and burning to manipulate the exposure and produce shadows.

Settings

You must set your camera according to what you are shooting. Here are some helpful guidelines:

Aperture for Portraits

The aperture should be between f/2.8 and f/5.6. This will help the subject stand out while blurring the background. If you turn the camera lower, for a wider aperture, it will further enhance the effect.

Aperture for Landscape

For landscape photography, you will want to turn the setting higher, for a narrower aperture and a sharper shot.

Now that you know the best times and methods for shooting landscape and portrait photography, you are ready to get great-looking photos. How will you be deciding which is best for your shoots?

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