What's Your Orientation?

No, the question doesn't have anything at all to what you may be thinking. It's just the direction you hold your camera when taking a picture. Do you tend to keep it in a landscape mode, meaning wider than tall? That just seems to be the inclination for a lot of beginning photographers. It's the position that seems most natural. After all, the camera is wider than tall, it hangs around your neck horizontally and it follows that when it's raised to catch that shot, the camera stays in landscape orientation.

As you did with the rule of thirds, take a second to view the scene. Is the subject matter taller than wide or the opposite? If it's tall, turn your camera into portrait orientation, meaning vertically. Wider than tall? Leave it in a horizontal position.

Arthur's Seat - Portrait Orientation

Some shots work in both landscape and portrait mode, dependent on what you want to emphasize or focus on. Make a habit of framing in both directions.

Assignment

Get your camera out and go for a walk. It doesn't matter where; city street or a trail. Look around and find at least six objects to shoot. Make sure you get at least one shot of each in portrait and landscape orientation. Don't forget to keep in mind the "Rule of Thirds." Download your shots and look at them in full screen. Decide which you like better and why.