Difference Between Portrait and Landscape

We come across different picture frames all the time without really paying much attention to their page orientation and their content classification. For instance, what is the difference between portrait and landscape? We’ll answer that question for you in the course of this post, but first, let’s define these terms.

Definition of Portrait

A portrait is a page or image displayed in a manner that its height is bigger than its width. This definition is focused on the orientation of a page. On another note, it can also be defined as the picture of a person displaying mostly the upper part of the body, mostly from the shoulders up. It could also be a picture of an animal, an object, a tree, etc., so long as it’s displayed in a manner that its height is bigger than its width. The way an image or just a page is displayed shows the basic difference between portrait and landscape.

One can also define it from another angle – a detailed description of someone or something. These terms are mostly used by photographers, artists, and publishers in their work. When it comes to photography, here are the different types.

• Traditional:

This depicts the image of a person from the shoulders upwards. Usually, it is shot in the studio with a formal background.

• Environmental

This is the image of a person as well as the environment in which the person is. Unlike most other cases, the environment is just as important as the person in the picture, even more important in some cases.

• Lifestyle

This is basically capturing people in their regular environment doing their regular stuff. The setting is usually familiar to the subject like a family home.

• Fine art

Fine art photographers model their work after renaissance paintings in addition to others. This is characterized by the use of creativity in wardrobe, colors, posing, and editing.

• Self

This has nothing to do with cell phone selfies. This type of shooting is usually planned, more elaborate, and insightful. Also, it can be taken by another person rather than by yourself.

These types explain the difference between portrait and landscape when it comes to photography. In most cases, every image classified in this category is expected to be higher than wide.

Definition of Landscape

A landscape is a page or image displayed in a mode where the width is wider than the height. It means that the image or page in question has a vertical display orientation. As with photography, it is defined as the art of capturing the outdoor images, especially in relation with nature. This is usually regarded as the major difference between landscape and portrait.

You may also want to know that this term also applies to the architectural industry. Here, it is described as a profession that encompasses the analysis, management, design, stewardship, and planning of the natural and built environment.

Seeing that the term “landscape” cuts across different meanings, we’ll limit our scope to photography for now. Here are some of its categories as it deals with the difference between landscape and portrait. These are basically different areas captured when doing a landscape photo shoot:

• Mountain photo
• Sea and land
• Cloudscape
• Cityscape
• Time of day
• Season of the year
• Photography techniques

Portrait vs Landscape Comparison Table

Basis of Comparsion	Portrait	Landscape
Definition	A page or image displayed in a manner that its height is higher than its width	A page or image displayed in a mode that its width is wider than its height
Description	Described as an image of a person or a document that is taller than wider.	An image or a document that is wider than taller. Also, a picture of nature, mostly a piece of land and its infinite surroundings.
Application	Photography, printing, makeup.	Photography, printing, painting, architecture, etc.
Orientation	Vertical	Horizontal

Conclusion of Main Difference Between Portrait vs Landscape

The difference between landscape and portrait cannot be denied, regardless of the fact that they are intertwined in many ways. The orientations of both terms are used in drawing, printing, painting, and picture shooting. Understanding these terms helps in decision making about orientations.