gmahler5th Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 I have used different rules, such as take a vertical for every horizontal that you shoot; go vertical for photos with only 1 or 2 people in them (formal portraits anyways) -- I really enjoy verticals. They seem much nicer in frames than horizontal images. My last wedding was probably 80% vertical images. I am beginning to ask myself, why did I take so many verticals? I realize there is no right or wrong approach, and I am definately going for a particular style, but it just makes me curious. Have I lost an appreciation for horizontal compositions? What is your thinking when you decide between a vertical or horizontal composition? I know the easy way out is to shoot one of both, but in many PJ moments, you only have one chance to get that perfect shot! Will you shoot vertical, or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aka eve adams Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 You know, i shoot vertical quite a bit, but this last weekend i noticed over 50% were horizontal. Go figure. It just looked better that way. Oh well as long as it looks good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 Whatever seems right at the moment! I don't think about it. I don't fret over it. Sometimes, though, I miss he freedom of shooting with a Rolleiflex or 'blad and that big square negative. Shoot now and decide later! Or you can let the client look at the 5x5 proofs and make the decision. You can even just specify "8x10" on the lab order form and let the lab tech decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimstrutz Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 Most of my wedding pics are vertical. 80% seems about right to me. Most wedding shots are people pictures, and most of the time they are standing up. I think that calls for vertcal shots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavelp Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 I guess when you are shooting people, the vertical orientation is kinda natural (especially for full figure shots). You might want to try square format (just to see how it works for you). If you do not frame really tight, you can often crop the picture both ways and decide which one you like more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted October 14, 2004 Share Posted October 14, 2004 I never heard of the "shoot one of each" rule. I also don't think about it. I just bring the camera to my eye and instinctively go one way or the other, without any conscious decision making, although if turning the camera will take too much time (and I'll miss a shot), I just shoot horizontal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandonhamilton Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 Since we shoot weddings, and most subjects are people, and they are usually standing, vertical will more often make sense for most of the shots. 60-70% of my shots are vertical as well. Thank goodness for that MBD-100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 And then there's square ... : -) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil_browne1 Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 I like square the best. ( I still shoot mostly with a Hasselblad ) Even if I shoot the image digital, I crop it to a square quite often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nstock Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 Often time the vertical "crop" is the one that works best in the view finder. If you get more than 3 ppl wide you have to go horizontal. You also have to remember to leave room around the edges for cropping when the image is made into an 8X10.. and you need to do that with every image in 35mm format as an 8X10 will shave off quite a bit. Shooting sqaure is, of course, the best way to avoid worrying about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_cofran Posted October 16, 2004 Share Posted October 16, 2004 >>Marc Williams And then there's square ... : -) LOL, you don't know what your missing ;-) BTW, since I'm a white guy i try not to go vertical, because i can't dunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claudiu_ionescu Posted October 16, 2004 Share Posted October 16, 2004 I go for vertical how often I can. I have only one problem with groups of four people. This kind of group is almost a square. If I shoot horizontal I have too much empty space in both laterals, if I go for a vertical framing I have too much room above and bellow. With this kind of group I have to take my decision judging surroundings and how they could help the composition. On the other hand, shooting vertical will create some problems with the shadows made by the position of the flash. I should use a bracket, but sometimes I prefer to hold the flash in my hand (Vivitar 283). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_nelson___atlanta__ga Posted October 16, 2004 Share Posted October 16, 2004 For me this has more to do with the final output. If it is going into one of those cheapy photo albums where all the slots are horizontal, then I tend to shoot more horizontal. But if I am looking to create a large print or poster, I go for vertical. I do think vertical shots of people look nicer when framed than horizontal ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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