Horizontal or Vertical? (B&W film): Below are two photos of the same object at Morikami Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida. Usually I have a good intuition of whether I like a...

whwiden

Below are two photos of the same object at Morikami Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida. Usually I have a good intuition of whether I like a shot in horizontal or vertical. Here I could not decide so I took one photo each. And, I still can not decide. How would you pick and why? Thanks for the input.

If you have a chance to visit this spot, I would highly recommend it. The gardens are very well done and give one a quite and contemplative experience very different from a day at the beach.

[Leica M-A, 50mm summicron, orange filter, Fomapan 100 film, Rodinal developer, Epson 750 scan]

Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

whwiden wrote:

Below are two photos of the same object at Morikam... (show quote)

I can't explain why but my eye prefers the second treatment.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Vertical for me.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

Vertical for me also.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Likewise. I think the tree balances the sculpture and you have an interesting sky providing a background. The little piece of pine in the upper right along with that sky provide a sense of depth to the picture and a sense of framing the whole. The sculpture on the right (according to a class I took, the main object should be on the right) leads the eye to the tree and then from the tree to the pin needles thus providing a triangular structure to the picture. Maybe this is all BS

and Piled Higher and Deeper (PhD) but I'm wiling to risk it. As my wife said when I received the Phd after a BS and two masters, "Glenn, you're dying by degrees."

whwiden

revhen wrote:

Likewise. I think the tree balances the sculpture and you have an interesting sky providing a background. The little piece of pine in the upper right along with that sky provide a sense of depth to the picture and a sense of framing the whole. The sculpture on the right (according to a class I took, the main object should be on the right) leads the eye to the tree and then from the tree to the pin needles thus providing a triangular structure to the picture.

Wow! What a great explanation. If you acquired that composition sense from a class, it must have been a very valuable experience. From your analysis, it goes beyond the photo of the object into a detailed consideration of context. Much to think about in framing. Many thanks.

Pathfinder Loc: Naches, Wa

I like #1, the horizontal...First, the pic has more contrast around the main subject. Like dark in the trees...The vertical seems to lose something like too much light in the sky... Both nice pics tho-----

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

whwiden wrote:

Wow! What a great explanation. If you acquired that composition sense from a class, it must have been a very valuable experience. From your analysis, it goes beyond the photo of the object into a detailed consideration of context. Much to think about in framing. Many thanks.

You are welcome. Thanks for kind comments.

whwiden

Pathfinder wrote:

I like #1, the horizontal...First, the pic has more contrast around the main subject. Like dark in the trees...The vertical seems to lose something like too much light in the sky... Both nice pics tho-----

I can understand that reason also. The horizontal photo seems to be more about the object, while the vertical is maybe more about the overall setting. I suppose I could try to darken the sky in the vertical photo. Hmmm. Thank you for your thoughts.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

The vertical for composition.

Jerry Coupe

I like the portrait image better. I think including the vertical look of the tree behind the sculpture adds a nice dimension to the image.

Pathfinder Loc: Naches, Wa

I agree----The vertical would be much better if you could darken the sky! You could always try that and give us uglyhhogs another look-see!

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

revhen wrote:

Likewise. I think the tree balances the sculpture... (show quote)

I agree with your analysis. I've taken a number of photo classes in addition to my measly BA in Biology. Oh, I also have a even funkier AA degree and a teaching credential. I've learned a lot about composition from classes and viewing innumerable photographs by master photographers and artists. The mechanics of photography I picked up easily and a long time ago.

jjohnpdq Loc: Lincoln AR. USA

Vertical for me.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

whwiden wrote:

Below are two photos of the same object at Morikam... (show quote)

I always prefer landscape because in the vertical format it seems you're missing so much.