Capturing the perfect photograph often boils down to making the right choices, and one of the fundamental decisions in photography is selecting the orientation for your shot. Whether you're aiming to capture a sweeping landscape or the intimate details of your pet's face, the orientation you choose can make a significant difference in the final result.

In this guide, we'll walk you through what landscape and portrait orientations are, when to use them, and provide you with valuable tips to help you make the right choice for your images. We'll also recommend the best cameras for capturing both landscape and portrait photographs, with the help of Product Specialist Lizzie James at Jessops.

Contents

What is landscape orientation?

What is portrait orientation?

When should you use landscape photography?

When should you use portrait photography?

Tips on how to choose photo orientation

What are the best camera settings for landscape photography?

What are the best camera settings for portrait photography?

Best cameras for landscape photography

Best cameras for portrait photography

Landscape photography is all about capturing wider, fuller scenes in your photos. Here’s a breakdown of when you might opt for this orientation:

Wide horizons – Choose landscape mode when you’re faced with broad views like ocean horizons or long mountain ranges. This orientation allows you to capture the full breadth of these expansive scenes.

Detailed landscapes – For shots of forests, valleys, or any scene with a lot of elements to capture at once, landscape can help you fit everything in. This way, viewers get a full, detailed picture.

Group photographs – Snapping a group of friends? Landscape orientation helps you fit everyone in without having to stand too far back. It allows for a relaxed, natural-looking photo where everyone can be seen.

Architectural and street photography – When photographing broad buildings or busy streets, landscape orientation allows you to grasp the atmosphere and scope.

Portrait photography emphasises the vertical aspects of a scene or subject. Here are instances where portrait orientation could be your go-to:

Portraits – When focusing on a single subject, like a person or pet, portrait mode helps keep attention where it should be. It allows you to capture expressive facial features or detailed outfits without unnecessary distractions.

Tall subjects – For capturing subjects that are tall and stand out, like big trees or statues, portrait orientation shines a spotlight on them, making sure their height is highlighted and gets the attention it deserves in your photo.

Detailed close-ups – When highlighting details, such as intricate jewellery or the delicate wings of a butterfly, portrait orientation provides a clean stage for these elements to take centre stage. This focus ensures that details aren’t lost or overshadowed by other distracting aspects in the frame.

Fashion photography – Fashion photography goes beyond just displaying an outfit; it also conveys the mood, setting, and personality of the model. Using portrait orientation allows you to showcase the whole outfit from head to toe.

Lizzie says, “The choice between portrait and landscape orientations is often determined by the specifics of the scene you’re shooting. In all cases, the setting and your photographer’s eye will influence the decision.”

Here are some tips for picking which orientation to use: 

Think about your subject

“Whether it's a sunset or a close-up of a person, understanding your subject is key,” explains Lizzie. “Asking yourself what you want to highlight most in your photograph will guide your orientation choice. If it’s a wide, panoramic view, landscape might be the way to go. If it’s a single subject or detail, portrait could prove more effective.”

Consider where your photo will be used

“Think about where and how the photo will be used,” says Lizzie, “For example, if it’s going to be a cover photo for a social media profile, landscape orientation might work better. If it’s for your mobile wallpaper, portrait may be more suitable.”

Understand the rule of thirds

“Understanding the basic rules of composition, like the rule of thirds, can definitely help you determine the orientation to use,” says Lizzie.

“Imagine your image is divided into nine equal segments by two vertical and two horizontal lines, crafting a grid that provides visual guidance for composition.”

“If placing the subject along or near the horizontal lines creates a balanced and compelling image, then a landscape orientation might work well. If aligning the subject along or near the vertical lines seems more appealing or natural, then portrait orientation may be best”

Here are some examples that show how you can use the rule of thirds to decide your photo orientation:

Think about the story you want to tell

Consider what orientation will help you tell your story best. 

Lizzie explains: “If you want to capture an individual moment, emotion, or detail, portrait might convey intimacy and focus. If you want to provide context, showcasing an environment or a group, landscape may provide a broader storytelling canvas.”

Play with perspectives

Lizzie says, “Don’t be afraid to try both landscape and portrait! Sometimes, the unexpected orientation can bring a fresh and exciting perspective to a well-known scene or subject. 

Remember, not all scenarios need to strictly conform to guidelines; a busy street may present a compelling portrait shot, while a close-up of a flower might shine in landscape.”

Most cameras come with a dedicated landscape or portrait mode, which will automatically optimise settings like aperture, shutter speed, and focus to suit the specific requirements of each scene. But, if you want more control over your images, it’s a good idea to explore the manual settings and experiment with different combinations to achieve the perfect shot.

Here are some key settings to consider for capturing beautiful landscape images:

Aperture (depth of field) — Opt for a higher aperture (f/8 to f/16) to maximise depth of field. This ensures that both the foreground and background elements are in focus, making the entire landscape sharp and detailed.

Shutter speed (how fast your camera takes a photo) — If you're shooting moving landscapes, like running water, you'll want to use a fast (short) shutter speed, like 1/125 or faster, to avoid motion blur. But, if you actually want to capture the movement in waterfalls, for example, try using a slower (long) shutter speed like 1/2, 1, 2, or even several seconds.

ISO (sensitivity to light) — Use the lowest ISO setting (100 or 200) to maintain image quality and minimise noise (grain). Lower ISO settings result in cleaner, less grainy images.

To learn more, read our guide on how to shoot in manual camera mode.

Here are some important settings for capturing stunning portrait images:

Aperture — It’s best to choose a low aperture setting, like f/1.8 or f/2.8, to achieve a shallow depth of field. This blurs the background (bokeh) and makes your subject stand out.

Shutter speed — Keep the shutter speed relatively fast (around 1/125 to 1/250 seconds) to avoid motion blur, especially if you or your subject tend to move. If you’re using a stabilising device like a tripod, you can lower the shutter speed.

ISO — Start with a low ISO (100 or 200) in well-lit conditions to minimise noise and maintain image quality. This is ideal for capturing the fine details of the subject's face and skin. In low-light situations, you may need to increase the ISO (400 to 800) to ensure a properly exposed shot. However, be mindful of noise as you raise the ISO.

“For landscape photography, the most important features to look for in a camera are high resolution and a large sensor to capture all the intricate details, especially if you're planning to print those breathtaking landscapes in larger formats,” explains Lizzie.

“If your photography escapades often lead you through forests or unpredictable weather conditions, it's also essential to consider a camera with weather resistance.”

Here are the best cameras for landscape photography with these features in mind:

Lizzie says: “For portrait photography, there are two key things you should be looking for in a camera: high megapixels to capture intricate details and a full-frame sensor, making it easier to get the background blur and bokeh to help make the subject stand out.”

“Autofocus also comes in handy, especially when shooting people or animals, as it allows you to quickly regain focus if your subjects move, ensuring your portraits are sharp.”

Here are some of the top camera choices for shooting in portrait orientation:

It can also capture a wide range of tones, even in challenging lighting conditions, whether it's very bright (high ISO) or very dark (low ISO). This ensures that your portraits have well-balanced highlights and shadows, resulting in beautiful and natural-looking images.

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At Jessops, we have a wide range of cameras, perfect for both landscape and portrait photography, from leading brands like Sony, Canon and Nikon. 

If you're new to photography, check out our beginner's guide to choosing the best digital camera, or if you're looking for more advice and inspiration, discover our blog. If you have any questions or you're unsure about which product is right for you, contact us today.