More and more people are capturing videos on their smartphones these days. With the rise of social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, video content has become incredibly popular for both personal and professional use. However, one question that often comes up is whether you should be recording videos in landscape (horizontal) or portrait (vertical) orientation. Both options have their own sets of pros and cons. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at the key factors you need to consider when deciding between horizontal and vertical videos.
The Case for Horizontal Videos
For many years, landscape has been the standard orientation for capturing videos. There are some good reasons for this:
More natural viewing experience
Horizontal video matches the wider field of view of our eyes. When you hold your phone vertically, you are only using a fraction of the available screen width. Videos shot horizontally make better use of the entire width of the display, which is easier on the viewer’s eyes.
Works better on most devices
Today, the majority of screens, televisions, computer monitors, etc. are oriented horizontally. Horizontal video fits these wider screens without the need for large black bars at the top and bottom. Vertical video ends up with black bars on the sides when viewed on landscape screens.
Better framing for certain situations
Horizontal orientation allows you to better frame landscapes, group shots, action sequences, and other wide subjects that need left-to-right space. The added width is better for panning the camera from side to side. Vertical framing can feel cramped and limited for these types of shots.
More professional look
Many professional videographers and cinematographers work in landscape format. Horizontal video comes across as more polished, cinematic, and aesthetically pleasing according to traditional filmmaking standards. Major movies, TV shows, and online videos are shot horizontally.
The Case for Vertical Videos
While landscape video has ruled for a long time, vertical videos are gaining popularity fast these days. Here are some benefits of shooting videos vertically:
Better viewing on smartphones
Smartphones have taller, narrower displays in portrait orientation. When holding your phone vertically, a vertical video fills the screen. But horizontal video will have smaller size and large black bars on a phone screen.
Easier one-handed use
Since most people operate phones single-handedly, vertical videos are easier to watch and engage with. Recording vertically also enables easier one-handed operation while capturing footage.
More natural framing for some subjects
Certain subjects like people, animals and close objects may be better framed in a vertical aspect ratio. The taller frame shows more headroom and overhead space naturally.
Stand out on social feeds
Vertical videos grab more attention on mobile social feeds like Instagram Stories, Snapchat, TikTok, etc. When swiping through vertical feeds, landscape videos with black bars tend to get ignored more often.
More immersive for live streaming
During live broadcasts and video calls, a vertical orientation takes up more screen space on the viewer’s phone. This creates a more immersive experience for the audience.
Enables flexible viewing
Modern apps and websites can detect vertical videos and adapt their players seamlessly for optimal viewing. This allows both horizontal and vertical viewing options.
Tips for Shooting Horizontal Video
If you decide to record your videos horizontally, keep these tips in mind:
Frame wider subjects properly
Take advantage of the extra width to frame landscapes, architecture, groups, action shots, etc. properly. Position the key elements following the rule of thirds.
Hold your phone sideways
This sounds obvious but it’s easy to forget. Make sure to turn your phone to the horizontal position before you start recording. Use your other hand or a tripod for stabilization.
Move the camera gently
Panning side-to-side can work much better in the horizontal format. But move the camera slowly and steadily to avoid jarring motion.
Track moving subjects carefully
When filming moving subjects, pan your camera smoothly to keep them properly framed in the wider shot. Anticipate their movement so they don’t disappear from the edges.
Use landscape orientation for apps and exporting
When editing your video in an app, make sure to set the canvas to landscape mode. Also export the final video horizontally. This maintains full widescreen quality.
Tips for Shooting Vertical Video
If recording vertically makes more sense, utilize these tips for great results:
Hold your phone upright
First, position your phone in upright portrait orientation before you start recording. You can even flip the camera on some phones.
Stand closer to your subject
Since you have less horizontal space, move closer to your subject to frame them properly. Use the rule of thirds for headroom and overhead clearance.
Lock focus and exposure
Tap your subject in the preview screen to lock the focus. This will also lock the exposure settings. This prevents focus and lighting shifts during your clip.
Keep it steady
Vertical footage is prone to exaggerated shakes. Try to stabilize your phone as much as possible against your body. Consider getting an external phone grip or tripod for added stabilization.
Limit fast motion
Sudden fast motion tends to look jittery and disorienting with the narrower vertical framing. Pan and tilt more slowly and gradually.
Do “cutaways” for transitions
Use close-up “cutaway” shots of details when transitioning between different scenes. This adds more visual interest and smoother continuity to your vertical video.
Apps Supporting Both Orientations
Many popular video editing apps now support both horizontal and vertical orientations. Here are some top apps with flexible options:
Adobe Premiere Rush
Adobe’s mobile editing app lets you seamlessly switch between portrait and landscape mode while editing. The app can also export finished videos vertically for social media.
CapCut
This full-featured editing app popular with TikTok users enables vertically formatted projects. It also includes templates and tools optimized for vertical videos.
Filmic Pro
With Filmic you can film simultaneously in both horizontal and vertical orientations. The aspect ratios are automatically applied based on device orientation.
Splice
Splice, GoPro’s free editing app, supports both portrait and landscape projects. You can combine both orientations in the timeline.
KineMaster
KineMaster’s multi-track timeline easily allows mixing vertical and horizontal clips. The project timeline can be portrait, landscape, or square shaped.
Platform Best Practices
Some social platforms have distinct preferences when it comes to video orientation. Here are the recommended formats:
YouTube
YouTube works best with landscape 16:9 videos. Vertical YouTube videos have small playback size with black bars on phones and computers.
Instagram Feed
Square 1:1 and vertical 4:5 videos are perfect for the Instagram main feed. Horizontal videos will be cropped or have bars here.
Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories work best with vertical 9:16 videos. Full-screen playback without black bars or cropping.
TikTok
All TikTok videos must be vertically formatted 9:16. This fills the entire phone screen during recording and playback.
Unlike Instagram, Facebook feed works well with both square and horizontal video. But vertical may have black bars on computers.
Snapchat
Snapchat also displays horizontal and vertical videos properly. But vertical 9:16 videos are framed best for mobile.
Conclusion
So in summary, both horizontal and vertical orientations have their own sets of advantages and use cases:
– Horizontal video provides a wider viewing area that is better for landscapes, action shots, and cinematic looks. Vertical framing can feel too cramped for these subjects.
– But vertical works well for solo subjects like people, looks more natural on mobile devices, and stands out in portrait-oriented social feeds.
– Modern apps allow flexible editing and exporting for both horizontal and vertical videos.
– YouTube and Facebook work well with both horizontal and vertical. But Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are optimized and framed best with vertical video.
The context and goal of your video will help determine the ideal orientation. Just be sure to pick one orientation and stick with it consistently when recording a given video. Avoid mixing and flipping back and forth randomly.
And whenever possible, consider filming some bonus footage in both orientations. This allows creating tailored landscape and portrait versions of your video for different platforms and uses. With smart planning and editing strategies, you can maximize the reach and impact of your videos across horizontal and vertical formats.
