gina_d
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2011
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- 54
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- Can others edit my Photos
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With respect to those who have cultivated a knowledge base of photography, portraiture and/ or the visual arts in a more general sense, I disagree with the premise that choosing a horizontal orientation is indicative of beginner status or just flat out wrong.
An artist should never confine himself to compulsory rules set forth for him by other artists. Taking a portrait in a horizontal format is a perfectly valid choice. That someone would choose to do so does not denote him a beginner any more than choosing a vertical format denotes someone as an experienced professional. I find it bizarre that someone in a creative field would suggest otherwise.
If one wants to emphasize the vertical, fill the frame with the subject, go for a more traditional pose/ result - yes, of course, take that shot. If one wants to give context to the portrait with inclusion of the environment, isolate the subject with an asymmetrical balance of white space and subject - take that shot. There's no rule, folks. One is not more valid than the other.
A horizontally framed portrait is definitely a more current, contemporary take. It also tends to be less formal which holds appeal for many situations. There's a cinematic drama and familiarity to us as well - when was the last time you saw a movie shot in vertical orientation? We're accustomed to seeing in this format - television, film, computer monitors. All that said, there's no reason to discount shooting in a vertical orientation either. Stunning photos can be obtained in either format.
People who are new to image-making (and maybe not so new) should take shots in both orientations. Figure out from really looking, comparing, contrasting, to see what's working and what you and/ or others respond to aesthetically. Don't dismiss a horizontal composition out of hand because you fear it'll mean you're doing it wrong and you'll be branded with the amateur/ beginner/ wannabe tag.
johngap.jpg (image)
http://obamapacman.com/2010/01/anni...ibovitz-queen-elizabeth-ii-official-portrait/
http://peoplesforeignexchange.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/susan-sontag-annie-leibovitz.jpg
Art News | 'Annie Liebovitz ~ Women' on view at the Brevard Art Museum | Art Knowledge News
http://www.labdailyblog.com/wp-cont...hed-by-Annie-Leibovitz-for-Louis-Vuitton.jpeg
Johnny Depp by Annie Leibovitz - My Modern Metropolis
An artist should never confine himself to compulsory rules set forth for him by other artists. Taking a portrait in a horizontal format is a perfectly valid choice. That someone would choose to do so does not denote him a beginner any more than choosing a vertical format denotes someone as an experienced professional. I find it bizarre that someone in a creative field would suggest otherwise.
If one wants to emphasize the vertical, fill the frame with the subject, go for a more traditional pose/ result - yes, of course, take that shot. If one wants to give context to the portrait with inclusion of the environment, isolate the subject with an asymmetrical balance of white space and subject - take that shot. There's no rule, folks. One is not more valid than the other.
A horizontally framed portrait is definitely a more current, contemporary take. It also tends to be less formal which holds appeal for many situations. There's a cinematic drama and familiarity to us as well - when was the last time you saw a movie shot in vertical orientation? We're accustomed to seeing in this format - television, film, computer monitors. All that said, there's no reason to discount shooting in a vertical orientation either. Stunning photos can be obtained in either format.
People who are new to image-making (and maybe not so new) should take shots in both orientations. Figure out from really looking, comparing, contrasting, to see what's working and what you and/ or others respond to aesthetically. Don't dismiss a horizontal composition out of hand because you fear it'll mean you're doing it wrong and you'll be branded with the amateur/ beginner/ wannabe tag.
johngap.jpg (image)
http://obamapacman.com/2010/01/anni...ibovitz-queen-elizabeth-ii-official-portrait/
http://peoplesforeignexchange.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/susan-sontag-annie-leibovitz.jpg
Art News | 'Annie Liebovitz ~ Women' on view at the Brevard Art Museum | Art Knowledge News
http://www.labdailyblog.com/wp-cont...hed-by-Annie-Leibovitz-for-Louis-Vuitton.jpeg
Johnny Depp by Annie Leibovitz - My Modern Metropolis