OCA Course: Vertical and Horizontal Frames

I'm not sure I really tackled this in the correct way, as I had to take the vertical and horizontal images together, knowing I wouldn't have time to re-visit the area. One or two of the pairs subconsciously started off with the horizontal view, rather than looking for the vertical view first.
All the images were taken using a 17-40mm wide-angle zoom lens with a polarising filter, and most were shot using a tripod. Only one pair, of the lighthouse, were shot on a different day.

Scarborough Lighthouse: This probably works better as
a vertical format because of the shape of the building, but
the horizontal view gives a better sense of place.

Gravestones, St. Mary's Church: This works equally well
both ways. The stones have been re-positioned to save
space - bodies weren't buried like that!

Wall, St. Mary's Church: I initially was interested in the
rusty hinge, but "chimping" the image on-screen showed
the yellow bricks to be prominent. This probably works
both ways also.




Winking Willy's: These chaps were doing some repairs to
the fish and chip shop. I thought the ladders were inter-
esting (triangles - later). There is too much foreground on
the vertical shot, I should have angled up more to make
it work better, but I think the horizontal one wins here.




Lobster Boats: It works both ways, I think.




Regal Lady: It's the pleasure "steamer" in the distance,
framed by the ropes. The vertical shot is distracted by
the foreground, so I think the landscape is better.




Ask Restaurant: These folks were enjoying the sun (this
is the north-east coast - it doesn't shine often!). I thought
the portrait view would divide into layers, so it's partly
successful, but the landscape is better.




Wheelhouse: I didn't see the distracting metel rail in the
foreground in the viewfinder. However, it probably helps
in the vertical image, which, overall, I think works better.




Ropes and Chains: Either-or works for me.




Lifebelt: The symmetrical horizontal image is OK, but it's
better as a vertical, as it suits the overall shape of the
subject.




Steps, Harbour Wall: In order to cover the steps and life-
belt, I had to include too much sky and road in the vert-
ical image, which I don't think works well at all.




East Pier: A traditional "landscape" image, but it works
just as well in portrait mode.




Helter-Skelter: Definitely better as a vertical. There are
some interesting "lines" here for future use.




Lunar Park: Buildings to the right of me prevented a
better viewpoint to include the circular flowerbed round-
about to balance the big (well, small, actually) wheel. I'm
not convinced either of these work.




Cottages, Old Town: Although both images work, the
vertical, with it's prominent foreground, accentuates the
steepness of the castle hill.




Scarborough Harbour from the Castle: Both work, one
displaying he sweep of the bay, the other the prominence
of the harbour.




Seats, Castle Dykes: Possibly the symmetrical landscape
works best. They aren't very comfortable!




Steps to Castle Dykes: he vertical image stresses the
steepness more effectively, but the horizontal is nicely
framed by the trees.




Flamborough Head from Castle Dykes: I tried to frame
the distant headland with the dark trees, but neither
work well, I think.




Lifeboat Cottages: The landscape view gives a better
impression of site.




Looking for vertical images that work was a challenge. It's very easy to fall into the rut of the landscape format, and I will be more conscious of the vertical alternative in future.