When to go Vertical?

[Ramsden]

Hello again,

Following my recent unsuccesfull attempt at going vertical, and with a big nudge from the author of a book I'm reading on Exposure, I realise I am probably like many photographers, and stay horizontal most of the time. 

So, with my quality management hat on; what is considered best practice for going vertical? What are your criteria for turning your camera around?

In other words:

"that shot would be greatly improved if the camera had been spun 90°

I attach a photograph of Denby Dale viaduct taken on a grey November morning. I had limited access on the adjoining road, but I now wonder whether going vertical would have accentuated the height of the arches, but possibly losing some of the width.

Learning how to use an EOS90D With 100mm Macro attached!

Ramsden

 

[stevet1]

I have read that B&W lends itself to the square or 1:1 aspect ratio. In many cases, the number of subjects is limited, and there is a lot of negative space.

I think I shot these in a square format. 

Steve Thomas

[TimBird]

IMHO, 1:1 being an evenly dimensioned frame, lends itself to a balanced image... ie: subject centered in the frame. The resulting sense of stasis can provide a sense of calm, especially when applied to black and white, and/or, minimalist subjects and compositions.

[Ramsden]

Thanks Guys

Fascinating ideas. I'm in experimental mode now. Always willing to try 'new' ideas. The B&W 1:1 looks great - and its pretty grey outside anyway!

Ramsden

[TomRamsey]

I think your scene is not really something I would ever shoot vertical, unless perhaps being perpendicular to the viaduct and shooting an abstract of an arch or two.  You said access was limited, so that is probably not an option at this place, that can be very frustrating to have limited access to a scene with so many possibilities.  Obviously shooting the picture level would improve it the most.  

I don't think there are set rules for shooting vertical, it's just something you see when composing, there are the obvious situations of shooting a tower from a close distance and you must shoot that way to get it in frame, but everything is not obvious.  You might take some photos you already have and look at them closely in editing software, trying different perspectives, just to get some ideas.  When taking the pictures, really try to keep your camera level, you can lose a lot of the image if you have to straighten it in post.

[Tintype_18]

Reading the replies reminds me of a situation several years ago. We were in Louisville, KY for an archery tournament. Had free time so we went to the Hillerich & Bradsbury plant to see how baseball bats are made. The front entrance had a giant bat in the vertical position. I wanted to lay on the ground and take a photo. Two things prevented this...wife and rain. In that order, too.

[Ramsden]

Rain permitting, I'm planning to go to this viaduct tonight to experiment with different angles, aspect ratio and a bit of  creativity. Its on the same line about 15 miles North. Better access.

I also feel the 'need' to lie on the floor as right of passage!

Watch this space...

This is another19th Century masterpiece.