Vertical and horizontal frames

The Art of Photography.
Project: Frame shapes and sizes.

Since the view finder of a camera is horizontal most images remain on this plain. The following exercise asks the photographer to capture 20 images in the vertical and compare it with the horizontal equivilant.
Here are a selection of subjects using both vertical and horizontal frames. Some subjects are tall and suit a vertical frame better than an horizontal one.

Nikon D700 ISO200 90mm 1/125sec f/13


Nikon D700 ISO200 80mm 1/125sec f/13

Here the vertical frame gives a balanced space above and below the subject whilst the horizontal gives the impression of wasted space either side of the subject.

Nikon D700 ISO1600 50mm 1/60sec f/1.8

Nikon D700 ISO1600 50mm 1/60sec f/1.8

Here the subject actually appear larger in the frame with the horizontal image even though both were shot using a fixed 50mm lens from the same standing position. This is because in the vertical image the roof and floor act as leading lines to the subject. Because the leading lines are more obvious in the vertical image the impression is that the subjects must be further away.

Nikon D50 ISO200 80mm 1/1000sec f/4.2

Nikon D50 ISO200 70mm 1/1600sec f/4.0