In addition to the rule of thirds, golden ratio, and framing, vertical photography is another form of photo composition. Recall that composition is instrumental in the production of sharp and well-detailed images. Therefore, in this article, you will learn everything you need to know about vertical photography. You will understand the meaning of vertical photographs and when and how to use the technique when clicking photos. The article will be informative, concise, and comprehensive. Let us get started already!
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What Is The Meaning Of Vertical Photography?
The word “vertical” is used to describe a type of photography that is taken with the camera held upright. This specific type of portrait photography occurs when the photographer aims the camera upwards to take photos of skyscrapers and other tall structures. Thus, vertical photographs are images taken with the camera axis directed towards the ground as vertically as possible and do not have a tilt of more than one degree.
Vertical photography has been around for a long time. It was first used in the 1800s when cameras were invented. The vertical orientation of the camera allows for a different perspective on subjects and provides a better way to tell stories. However, this photo compositional guide is not as famous as the rule of thirds and the golden ratio. Nonetheless, the few photographers who often employ this shooting technique describe it as one of the most suitable techniques for well-detailed or informative landscape shots.
Things You Must Know Before Doing Vertical Angle Photography
Vertical angle photography always captures and reveals stunning art-like images of subjects. Although it is not a common technique, here are a few things you must know if you intend to start clicking or recording vertical-angle photos of your subjects.
I’m Glad You’re Here! Photography is a fascinating art form that allows us to capture and preserve moments beyond imagination in time. However, for beginners and amateurs, getting started with photography can be intimidating, especially when it comes to choosing and using the equipment and techniques to follow.
Click below to read a comprehensive article for beginners to master the basics of capturing moments beyond imagination.
1. The Camera Is Not Designed To Take Vertical Shots
All digital cameras can only take horizontal photographs. This is because they are designed according to how human beings see the world. Naturally, our eyes are set horizontally from each other, giving us a wider or landscape view of things. Thus, your digital or smartphone camera is not built to take vertical shots.
However, you can improvise by vertically holding the camera. Many modern digital cameras now feature an in-built battery grip that replicates the key control on the front and back of the camera, including the shutter button.
You might want to ask, “how do I hold my camera vertically?” It is actually easy and comfortable. Here is how to do it:
- Pick up your camera,
- Place your right hand on the shutter button or grip,
- Place your left hand on the lens. This will help you steady and support the weight of the camera. Keep your elbows tucked to your torso to ensure more balance.
- Turn your camera through 90º and focus.
You can learn more about how to hold your camera steady and capture good photographs in the article: How To Hold Camera Steady? A Guide By Professionals
2. Our Brains Are Used To The Landscape Or Horizontal Format
Many photographers often click photographs exclusively in the horizontal or landscape format. This may be due to us looking at the televisions or computer screens regularly. Another reason could be that we often pick up the camera horizontally, and all the keys are in the landscape format.
Thus, if we were to pick 100 random pictures taken by aspiring and professional photographers, about 90% of the images will be horizontal or landscape. Since our brains are not used to clicking photographs vertically, you must engage in regular practice to master this mode. Because one can easily default or switch to the horizontal position without giving a considerable thought; hence, the need for constant practice.
3. Vertical Angle Shoots Are Not Suitable For All Photographic Scenes
Although holding the camera vertically or in portrait format can produce stunning and taller viewers, the technique is inappropriate for some photographic scenes. Some subjects would convey more stories and depth if captured horizontally.
Let us have a look at when to use the vertical angle for photography.
When To Use Vertical Angle For Photography?
Generally, vertical photographs have more height than width. Professional photographers often refer to this technique as portrait mode or photographs. These images often capture less information, especially when done from the ground.
Vertical photography, when done from the ground, typically focuses on a particular element or subject instead of the vast visual environment. Thus we recommend shooting vertically when:
1. The Subject Is In A Vertical Angle Position
When your subject is taller than wide, we recommend you turn your camera vertically instead of shooting in horizontal or landscape format. A vertical angle shot from close range will best compliment the subject and make the photograph epic.
2. You Want To Capture Modeling Selfies Of Yourself
The vertical photography technique is also suitable for taking self-portrait images, especially for modeling. You can intuitively manipulate the vertical camera angle to embody how you want to appear in the selfies. You can capture the images from below to appear taller or above to appear shorter, depending on your preferred angle and how you’d like to appear in the photographs.
You might be interested in learning How To Take Model Pictures Of Yourself At Home?. You might also be interested in the article: How To Become Photogenic In Every Click?
3. You Want To Create Creamy Background Effect
In a shooting situation, when you want to blur the background, vertical framing will help you do that easily, as you get to click images of the subject from a close range. In photography, the closer you are to your subject, the more blurred the background.
Thus, the vertical angle technique should be employed when you are not interested in including the vast scene or environment in the photograph. Aside from the vertical angle approach, you can also try to frame the subject and create a more creamy background and stunning pictures.
You can learn more about photo framing in our article: What Is Framing In Photography? How To Use It?
4. You Want To Fill The Frame
Generally, waist-up and full-length shots fill and fit the frame better when you shoot vertically. In addition to getting epic close-up images of your subjects, filling the frame can help prevent exposure errors; because there would be little to no background in the frame that can be capable of affecting the overall exposure.
5. You Want To Focus Attention On A Particular Subject
Like the golden ratio and framing techniques, you can use the vertical angle approach to focus a viewer’s attention on a single subject in the frame by eliminating other elements from the scene.
6. The Subject Is Facing Up Or Down
You can also shoot vertically when your subject is facing up or down, and you want to include the sky or ground in the photograph in a creative way.
7. You Want To Capture Close-up Portraits
Shooting vertically is also perfect for close-up portrait images of your subject. It will allow you to eliminate every other element from the frame and keep the viewer’s attention on your subject.
8. You Want To Capture Commercial/Calendar Photos
Vertical images are also useful for commercial purposes, especially on social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms which employ a vertical scrolling style.
Aside from running ads on social platforms, most magazines often buy and use well-composed vertical photographs. Thus, start taking more vertical-angle photographs if you want to sell more of your pictures; because vertical images are mostly used for book covers, calendars, posters, and smartphone wallpapers.
9. You Want To Capture The Sky
You can also use the vertical angle technique when clicking images of the sky, especially the milky way at night. You can learn how to do night sky photography in our articles:
- Camera Settings For Milky Way Photography. How To Do It?
- Night Sky And Star Photography Tips For Beginners
10. Other Instances
Several other instances or situations when you can use the vertical angle photography technique include:
- When photographing a tall building or other tall objects, you should use the vertical angle approach to make the objects look more impressive and interesting.
- When the subject is moving or running vertically
Vertical Vs Horizontal Format: What Are The Main Differences?
The horizontal format is used to capture larger or wider images, generating great visual information and depth of field. In addition, shooting in the horizontal format helps to portray the scene’s width.
On the other hand, vertical photographs have less information and only portray the height of a scene or subject. They reveal specific aspects of the image and thereby hide other scenic details.
Other differences between vertical and horizontal photographs include:
- It is easier to record images horizontally because the camera and human mind (or eyes) are designed to capture and view things expansively. On the other hand, the vertical format forces us to manipulate our brains and the camera.
- Vertical photographs have less quality compared to horizontal images. This is because the photographs are often centralized.
- Vertical photography portrays more detail about a particular subject or element, while horizontal photography captures vast information which can be difficult to decipher and understand.
- Vertical photographs cover a small relative area, while horizontal photographs cover more.
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Vertical Vs Horizontal Photography: Which Is Best?
The best format depends on your subject, its shape, location, how you want the photographs to appear, and the amount of information you’d like to capture or include in the images. In addition to these factors, you must consider your lens, focal length, and aperture.
So as the photographer, the most suitable way to decipher the best format for the subject or scene is to analyze the kind of stories you’d like the photographs to reveal to the viewers. In photography, everything (props, backgrounds, colors, and techniques) depends on the story or kind of art you want to create. It is worth noting why you are shooting the photos.
Professional photographers usually take vertical and horizontal photographs of the same subject and select later. You can try that as well if you are confused about the most appropriate format to use.
People Also Ask
What Is Horizontal Photography?
Horizontal photography, also known among photographers as landscape photography, is a type of photography where the camera is positioned parallel to the ground. Thus horizontal photographs are those images with more width than height. These types of images have more field of depth, information, quality, and clarity than vertical photographs. This is because the digital camera is more versatile when clicking in horizontal format.
What Do You Call A Vertical Photo?
Vertical photographs are usually called portrait photos or images by professional photographers. This is because portrait photography aims to reveal someone’s true nature. It captures the personality, mood, and essence of a person