site logosite logo
  • Home
  • Photography Workshops
  • Photographic Prints
  • Reviews
  • Biography
  • Blog
  • Links
    • Supporters
    • Recommended Links
0 items in your cart
CART TOTAL: £0.00
SIDEBAR

Don’t Forget Portrait Format!

6 comments
  • Composition Technique
  • Nick's Blog
Aug 31 2015

During my workshops/1:1’s etc I habitually remind clients not to forget trying an upright or portrait version of what they are photographing.
Without wishing to replace aesthetic values with commercialism, it is a fact that of all the stock photos I have sold repro rights in, the portrait photos are ahead in the order of 60% to 40%.

That apart, sometimes the portrait format can really strengthen a photo (oh, ok then, image!) by concentrating the viewers eye on the specifics, especially if, off to the sides, are just trees, lake, sandy beach or nothing really strong enough to make the point of, or reason for, the photo in the first place. I believe that this format needs a strong foreground however, perhaps more so than a landscape? The eye needs to be guided into and up, seeing all the the photographer saw and recorded.

So remember, next time you are out and about give it a try! It works for me.

The example below is for discussion! To me the portrait is the stronger as more emphasis is given to the boat. You may beg to differ, but at least it is worth a go.

 

Boat at The Parrog north Pembrokeshire

Landscape format

Landscape format

Portrait format

Portrait format

« Into the sun…..
Autumn Tints – do we need sunshine and blue skies? »
  1. Josephine Dobson 

    I like the two but landscape gets my vote ☺

    August 31, 2015 at 4:27 pm Reply
    • Nick Jenkins 

      So the wrong answer 🙂 haha
      Seriously, all I am doing is planting a little ‘thought seed’ in your minds – for you to try. This will vary very much from one subject/composition to another and, as I always say, if YOU are happy with your composition then that is good enough. I can help, suggest, cajole. yell, but in the end it is YOUR photo.

      August 31, 2015 at 4:50 pm Reply
  2. Gerald Harbour 

    Hi Nick, If you will allow your post to be supported by a “non-landscale” example I used one from my recent Dartmoor trip in the latest club ‘assignment’ exercise on ‘wildlife’. As you explain, a landscape format image may have material to left and right that does not add much but by going to a square format in the case I mention I was able to include an example of the typical Dartmoor sky-line behind the main subject just in case there weren’t enough clues there already (subject – Dartmoor ponies)!
    Regards, Gerald
    PS Was planning to show you but can’t see how to attach an image in this medium.

    August 31, 2015 at 5:29 pm Reply
  3. Barbara Fleming 

    Yes Nick – I also agree with you. I discovered it when we were in West Wales, you can get the subject to look better in its surroundings, ie the sky , the cliffs, the sea and the beach,much more interesting than all beach and just the sea The only reason I don’t do these very often is because my camera does not like being on its side on my tripod – not a very good reason is it?

    September 1, 2015 at 6:59 am Reply
  4. Dave Gould 

    Requires some creative thinking when using in an Audio Visual. But in principle you are so right.

    November 11, 2015 at 1:26 pm Reply
  5. Alan 

    I was most interested in this comment in your most recent Newsletter Nick: 1. Flower photography – to me – always looks at its best when shot on an overcast day – be it close up or a garden/meadow … etc.

    My findings are similar to yours in that I find results tend to be very hit or miss in bright sunlight when photographing flowers. I would add that in very bright direct sun I often deliberately cast a shadow on a flower which results in a much better image.

    Regards Alan

    July 11, 2017 at 5:30 pm Reply

Submit a Comment Cancel Reply

Recent Posts

  • On Reflection – Part 2
  • Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged?
  • Trying something different…
  • Photographic Post Processing
  • Close to the edge…

Recent Comments

  • Judi Lion on Lake District Photography Workshop
  • Jennie Williams on Scillies 2019 Photography Workshop
  • Alan on Don’t Forget Portrait Format!
  • Alan on Welcome to my Blog
  • Barbara Fleming. on On Reflection – Part 2

Archives

  • January 2017
  • October 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • April 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • August 2011

Categories

  • Animals
  • Camera Technique
  • Camera Technology
  • Composition Technique
  • Feelings
  • Food
  • Music
  • Nick's Blog
  • People
  • Photography
  • Places
  • Post Processing
  • Trip
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

T: 029 2089 0930 - M: 078 7662 4185 E: nick@freespiritimages.com

Website by Cardiff Creative