Portrait and landscape modes. Questions about usages and history of terminology.
Jun 11, 2018 15:52:45 #
patrick43
Loc: Los Lunas,NM
I had never heard the terms portrait and landscape mode until I joined the hog. While I know what the difference is, I just wondered where the terminology originated. Is it terminology you would
learn from taking a formal class perhaps? I'm also interested in the practical applications of each mode. While landscape mode is pretty obvious, I am curious if portrait mode is the preferred method
to use when taking still pictures of people or animals. Is it more aesthetically pleasing in portrait mode or is it just a matter of terminology. Most of the time that I use vertical or portrait mode is
to get a waterfall from top to bottom, tall trees up close, etc. Thanks to everyone in advance. Patrick
learn from taking a formal class perhaps? I'm also interested in the practical applications of each mode. While landscape mode is pretty obvious, I am curious if portrait mode is the preferred method
to use when taking still pictures of people or animals. Is it more aesthetically pleasing in portrait mode or is it just a matter of terminology. Most of the time that I use vertical or portrait mode is
to get a waterfall from top to bottom, tall trees up close, etc. Thanks to everyone in advance. Patrick
Jun 11, 2018 15:56:33 #
A "mode" usually refers to a dial choice (a pre-set, if you will) on your camera and its effects will be described in your user manual. Often "portrait mode" will give a shallow depth of field - blurring the background - and do a bit softer focus, as well as more gentle color saturation. These are qualities one might desire when taking a traditional portrait (head and shoulders) photo of a person.
The physical turning of your camera to vertical/portrait orientation is used such as you mention - for waterfalls, trees and anything else with a tall aspect: buildings, flowers on long stems, and much more. I shoot a fair number of landscapes in portrait orientation - aided by a rotating LCD screen
I think many newbies don't consider portrait orientation all that often, so it's great you brought it up!
The physical turning of your camera to vertical/portrait orientation is used such as you mention - for waterfalls, trees and anything else with a tall aspect: buildings, flowers on long stems, and much more. I shoot a fair number of landscapes in portrait orientation - aided by a rotating LCD screen
I think many newbies don't consider portrait orientation all that often, so it's great you brought it up!
Jun 11, 2018 16:05:51 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
A "mode" usually refers to a setting (a ... (show quote)
If you wonder about the origin of the terms:
Portrait - paintings/portraits of people are almost always a rectangle or oval with the long axis in the vertical. People are taller than they are wide - mostly
You will see landscape oriented paintings of groups of people or people reclining.so vertically framed photos are "portrait"
Landscape - landscapes are mostly painted to show the width and sweep of the land so they are horizontal but you will see some things like waterfalls done in the vertical
so horizontally framed photos are "landscape"
Jun 11, 2018 16:16:14 #
I was working with computers when the personal computer made its appearance. Soon, there were displays (monitors) and printers that allowed one to alter the output. Portrait was an up-and-down orientation, and landscape was a side-to-side orientation.
I always associated the terms with photography.
I always associated the terms with photography.
Jun 11, 2018 16:18:58 #
Just terminology borrowed from painting to describe the orientation of a picture. If it is a painting, you just call it a portrait or a landscape usually without the word orientation.
Jun 11, 2018 16:22:00 #
"People are taller than they are wide - mostly". Wow, that brought back memories of one person in high school. That person certainly defied that comment, or so it seems.
--Bob
--Bob
robertjerl wrote:
I you wonder about the origin of the terms: br Por... (show quote)
Jun 11, 2018 17:08:31 #
My printer settings have always used the same terms when asking which way I want to print, whether it be photos, or excel spreadsheets.
I don't think the terms are limited to photography only.
As for origins, I guess you can look at the Old Masters paintings, people portraits were usually taller, landscapes were normally painted wider.
I don't think the terms are limited to photography only.
As for origins, I guess you can look at the Old Masters paintings, people portraits were usually taller, landscapes were normally painted wider.
Jun 11, 2018 17:12:42 #
rmalarz wrote:
"People are taller than they are wide - mostly". Wow, that brought back memories of one person in high school. That person certainly defied that comment, or so it seems.
--Bob
--Bob
Reminds me of my mother-in-law actually . . .
Jun 11, 2018 17:12:44 #
patrick43 wrote:
I had never heard the terms portrait and landscape... (show quote)
Patrick43 - These terms are intended to suggest an approach to compose a shot. You are not restricted as to how you use them. Tall subjects can in some circumstances be shot well in Landscape mode. Wider view shots can in some circumstances be shot well in a Portrait orientation. No limits. /Ralph
Jun 11, 2018 17:21:38 #
Funny you should mention that. My ex mother-in-law looked like a beach ball with arms and legs.
--Bob
--Bob
Gene51 wrote:
Reminds me of my mother-in-law actually . . .
Jun 11, 2018 17:58:02 #
patrick43
Loc: Los Lunas,NM
Linda From Maine wrote:
A "mode" usually refers to a dial choice... (show quote)
Mode vs. orientation. Thanks so much and also for the excellent examples using vertical/portrait for "landscapes".
Jun 11, 2018 18:01:56 #
patrick43
Loc: Los Lunas,NM
robertjerl wrote:
If you wonder about the origin of the terms: br Po... (show quote)
Thanks Jerry. Like your description of people. ( Mostly taller than they are wide).
Jun 11, 2018 18:07:54 #
Jun 11, 2018 18:20:19 #
In older photography how-to books, the term most often used was "orientation" rather than "mode".
Jun 11, 2018 18:25:39 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
A "mode" usually refers to a dial choice... (show quote)
#1 is good, but my heart goes out to #2 and #3 they remind me of the Romantic School of Painting even though the Romantics seldom painted landscapes in portrait mode unless it was a closeup of a waterfall or similar subject. And even then they usually didn't do closeup but included the waterfall as part of a broad scene.
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