Objective: For the exercise of vertical and horizontal frames, the task is to take photographs using the standard landscape format, thus emulating how our eyes naturally see the world. Having taken the first required set of 20 photos, we are to return and take the same or similar location shot, but this time in a vertical format. The tendency will be to look for only upright or tall images for the vertical, and in addition place the weight of the subject lower down in the frame.
Prior knowledge: I think we all tend to frame or compose in either a landscape or portrait format depending on the subject. We would hardly take a portrait shot of one person in a landscape mode (in most cases) or a singular tall building in landscape. Nor would we shoot rolling landscapes or seascapes in a portrait frame. In Michael Freeman in “The Photographer’s Eye” he mentions 3 main reasons why we tend to shoot images in a horizontal format. Firstly photographers are comfortable taking pictures horizontally. Second the camera manufacturers find it easier to produce cameras for horizontal use, and to design a vertical format camera would prove difficult. Lastly as we have two eyes our binocular vision allows us to see horizontally and is therefore natural to us.
Preparation: I ventured out to an area called Media City and Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai. I used my Canon 5D Mk3 with one medium zoom lens, the 24-105mmm. This exercise proved harder than first expected, trying to find compositions that I felt would suit both the vertical and landscape format. All my previous readings in Michael Freeman’s book “The Photographers Eye” were starting to repeat in my head as I walked around. I remember one saying from Scott Kelby which is “When should you take a portrait shot? Straight after taking the landscape” Now as part of my shot taking process I find myself doing this naturally, even if the end result may not be as expected. Images are free and can be always deleted. I decided to leave the name of each pairs of pictures the same for both vertical and portrait formats.
Process:
[106]
Skyscrapers
[107]
Skyscrapers
For this shot looking up at an acute angle, I actually find both formats pleasing. At first I thought the vertical format would be the only frame type to accentuate the tall buildings, but I think the addition of the windows viewable with the landscape framing add some texture by removing some dead space of blue in the lower centre. It also invokes a sense of claustrophobic living. I had to wait a while in order to bring some cloud within the frame to break up the clear blue and force the eye to scan upwards.
[108]
Stairway to Heaven
[109]
Stairway to Heaven
For the two shots titled Stairway to Heaven, I personally think the vertical format is better. The larger number of steps starting low in the frame allows the eye to literally climb the stairs bringing the viewer to the archway. In the landscape shot I feel there is too much distraction on the right of the frame leading the viewer away from the stairway.
[110]
Plant Pot
[111]
Plant Pot
For the two formats above I prefer the landscape. I like the picture of the hand pointing down the walkway, as if leading the eye down into the frame. The portrait frame compliments the vertical format of the posts, and helps to isolate the pot as a singular object.
[112]
Metro
[113]
Metro
The first photo in landscape of the entrance to the Dubai Metro is a little cluttered. I think the eye is led well into and up the stairs, but then becomes a little confused by the lighting from the side windows. Some extra post processing could help if required, but for the sake of the exercise I didn’t want to do too much post work but concentrate on the two main formats for the exercise. In the portrait format picture I like the inclusion of the texture and patterns of the roof. The highlighted skylight at the top of the frame also helps to act as a point of focus leading up the escalators.
[114]
Metro Station
[115]
Metro Station
I think either formats could work in this picture taken from the outside area of a Dubai Metro Station. In the landscape you have the inclusion of the metallic walkway and additional palm trees. The portrait shot emphasises the taller high rise buildings in the background, and the slight addition of the road in the foreground gives it a sense of place, although this could easily be cropped out if required.
[116]
Arabic Coffee Pot
[117]
Arabic Coffee Pot
Once again I think both landscape and vertical formats work well for the pictures of the Arabic Coffee Pots. The landscape helps to highlight where the pots are situated, despite the background being out of focus, while the vertical frame conforms to the upright orientation of the pots, allowing the eye to scan up and down the handle and shape of the pot.
[118]
Villas
[119]
Villas
I prefer the inclusion of the jagged edges and the castle type building in the background in the landscape format frame for these two shots. Although the portrait format is pleasing, I feel the eye needs to stay in the top half of the frame as the warm colours of the sunrise are the main focus point of the picture. The darker right hand edge of the landscape picture allows the eye to fall into the frame towards the sunlit roof top.
[120]
Arabic Wind Tunnel
[121]
Arabic Wind Tunnel
The vertical format picture focuses on the wind tunnel, while the landscape frame allows the viewer to appreciate the location of the structure. Between the two I think for this picture the vertical frame works best, with no distractions from the shop window shade or posts coming out of the wall.
[122]
Burj Al Arab Lake
[123]
Burj Al Arab Lake
For the two shots taken of The Burj AL Arab hotel, I think both formats work well. In the vertical the river leads up towards the hotel, and in the horizontal the trees situated on the left side help to draw the eye towards the hotel. I like the way the river tapers inwards again creating lead in lines towards the subject.
[124]
Door Handles
[125]
Door Handles
Conclusion: As Michael Freeman mentions in his book ‘The Photographers Eye (p. 12 M. Freeman, 2007) the shape of the viewfinder frame and camera LCD screen, “has a huge influence on the form that the image takes”. Although I thought that 40 photographs were a little excessive to prove the point, it allowed me to take a varied series of shots, and in doing so forced me to look more closely at the vertical format.
While some pictures hold themselves well with either format as shown above, many would not work so well if left in the incorrect format. Therefore photographers should consider carefully which frame format is best before shooting for maximum effect.
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