What Irks Me Most In "Young" Photographers: Their Preferred Orientation.

When your tools force you into habits, they rob you of your wits

Walk into any museum or gallery, and you'll notice something: the majority of paintings and photographs are horizontal. Not all of course, but most. This isn't a coincidence; horizontal orientation reflects the way we naturally perceive the world. Our eyes are positioned side by side, giving us a field of vision that is inherently wider than it is tall. In essence, horizontal framing aligns with our biology, our instincts.

Yet, more and more, I’m seeing young photographers defaulting to vertical orientation. Not only do they default to it, some of them will go as far as saying that horizontal doesn't make sense to them. Let’s be honest: it’s not because vertical framing suddenly became more artistically compelling. It’s because of habits and tools. Habits shaped by the way they engage with technology and tools that subtly but relentlessly nudge them toward certain behaviors.

Phones and Passive Choices

The smartphone has been a revolution for photography, putting a camera in everyone's pocket. But with this convenience comes compromise. Phones are designed to be held vertically. Social media platforms understandably cater to vertical scrolling, rewarding content that fits seamlessly into this format.

Over time, this functionality has evolved into an unspoken directive: shoot vertical to maximize visibility or risk being ignored. But even more simple than this very real consideration, is the fact that it is simply because phones are held vertically that people use them vertically. This in itself is enough to bind people to habits of use that don't necessarily make sense. This debate isn't new either. Videographers know the argument (and the pain that comes with it) pretty well.

But here’s the thing: the dominance of vertical framing on these platforms isn’t about artistic merit; it’s about convenience, marketing strategies, often in conjunction with the lack of thoughtful process. Subjected to any and all of these, many young photographers have stopped questioning their framing altogether.

The result? A generation that often overlooks the inherent strengths of horizontal orientation, a frame that not only matches our field of view but also opens up storytelling possibilities in ways vertical simply can’t.

The Horizontal Framing

Horizontal framing offers a sense of space and depth, providing subjects with breathing room and creating a more relaxed composition. This contrasts with vertical framing, which can feel cramped and confined. It is a limitation that often goes unnoticed by younger photographers conditioned by the constraints of phone screens. Landscape orientation mimics the way we naturally take in most scenes or subjects. Most visual media, especially those depicting a believable world, will tend to favor it. The format inherently invites the viewer to immerse themselves in the narrative.

This is not to say that vertical framing has no place. It is the correct choice when your goal is to emphasize the height of a subject and of course portraits thrive in vertical orientation, (though a well-framed horizontal portrait can create a connection between the subject and their surroundings, offering a more nuanced narrative than a straightforward vertical shot often does). Ultimately, it comes down to what you want to achieve with your composition.

And yet, when I talk to young photographers, many admit they rarely even consider it. Their phones are vertical by default. Their habits are automated. And their tools, (designed for usability, not creativity), guide their decisions without them even realizing it. Their phone habits transfer directly to their cameras without a second thought, and this realization often disheartens me.

Break Free From Automation

Photography has always been about intentionality. It’s not just about what you see but how you choose to frame it. Every image is a decision. Horizontal or vertical, wide or tight. To defer these choices to automation or habit is to forfeit a key part of what makes photography an art form or a craft/trade in the first place.

If you’re a young photographer reading this, I’m not saying you should never shoot vertical. Vertical framing has its place, as we've seen. But the next time you’re about to take a picture, pause. Ask yourself: does this frame serve the story I want to tell? Does it engage with the scene in a way that feels natural and/or intentional? Or am I just moving through the motions?

Be Purposeful

It’s easy to blame technology for the decline of horizontal orientation, but the truth is, the responsibility lies with us. Technology doesn’t think. We do. The orientation of our frame isn’t just a default setting; it’s a deliberate decision. Choosing a landscape orientation is a choice that provides breathing room for subjects and aligns with the natural way we see.

So pick up your camera, think, and turn it sideways if it best serves your subject. Remember: the frame is yours to decide. Don’t let your tools decide for you.