Vertical and Horizontal Frames

Vertical and Horizontal Frames or Portrait and Landscape in technical terms. For this project the camera had to be held on its side to capture the initial images in a vertical frame. Next, all the subjects had to be re-captured in a horizontal frame. Whilst taking the photographs I tended to search for objects that would suit a vertical frame although upon completion I feel I could have taken the idea further and taken photographs of more ambiguous subjects. Due to my choice of subjects, I was unable to frame most of them horizontally, even when drastically changing the focal length and angle of view.

I took all of the photographs for this project in Sheffield as I have just spent the weekend there visiting a friend. Below are some examples of my experimentation with Portrait and Landscape.

Image 1:

V 21mm, 1/40sec, f/13. H 18mm, 1/40sec, f/13

With my back against a wall and the focal length at the minimum I was unable to capture the entire subject in a horizontal frame.

Image 2:

V 18mm, 1/250sec, f/10. H 18mm, 1/250sec, f/10

I could not capture this subject horizontally either, there was not enough room behind me to enable the pole to be visable in a lanscape shot.

Image 3:

V 24mm, 1/60sec, f/10. H 18mm, 1/100sec, f/10

With plenty of distance between myself and the Town Hall I was able to frame the subject both vertically and horizontally although it much suits the vertical frame.

Image 4:

V 34mm, 1/250sec, f/10. H 25mm, 1/250sec, f/10

There was also plenty of distance between myself and the Bradford and Bingley building to enable it to be framed both vertically and horizontally. The landscape framing provides a pleasing image although the subject's position within the frame could be better.

Image 5:

V 18mm, 1/125sec, f/10. H 18mm, 1/125sec, f/10

The Cathedral is certainly an interesting subject to be captured vertically and horizontally although it suits the vertical frame better.

Image 6:

V 24mm, 1/160sec, f/10. H 18mm, 1/160sec, f/10

The church below suits both portrait and landscape although I feel with the surrounding objects, the main subject is shot better vertically.

Image 7:

V 27mm, 1/8sec, f/10. H 18mm, 1/15sec, f/10

Had I positioned the telephone box to the right of the image in the horizontal frame, I feel I could have found a subject best suited to vertical framing that also suits horizontal framing.

Image 8:

V 18mm, 1/40sec, f/10. H 18mm, 1/40sec, f/10

I decided to shoot the Town Hall clock tower again from a different angle. I feel from this angle the subject suits both formats. The blank space on the right of the landscape image provides aesthetic balance.

After completing this project, I feel I could have positioned some of the subjects better when capturing them in a horizontal frame. I'll add more examples as I progress through the course.

In conclusion, I've found that certain subjects (especially those taller than they are wide) definitely suit vertical framing over horizontal although some subjects can suit both.