Should I present a subject in landscape mode or portrait mode? That is a question I face frequently when I am composing photos initially and later when I am processing the images. Some subjects or scenes lend themselves naturally to one of the modes, but often it is not clear which one will be more effective. I remember reading somewhere that it is best to take shots from multiple angles, at varying distances, and using multiple modes and I try to follow that advice whenever I can.
This past week I encountered a large dragonfly as I was exploring a small creek in Prince William County, Virginia. The creek was mostly in the shadows and I was unable to identify the species of the dragonfly until it perched on a sun-lit tree. Then it was easy to determine that it was a Gray Petaltail dragonfly (Tachopteryx thoreyi).
The dragonfly was pretty cooperative and I was able to take multiple shots, two of which I have included in this posting. From an artistic perspective I particularly like the first image, which gives equal weight to the dragonfly and to the environmental elements. The second image draws your attention more to the details of the dragonfly and give greater emphasis to the texture of the tree.
Are you drawn more to one of the two images? If so, why? I know how I react to my own images and am always curious to hear what you think and/or feel about them.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Against my usual composition rules…number two. The purpose of your work is to present macro shots of ‘strange looking critters’. Number two does exactly that 😂😂
Thanks for your response, Ted. I guess you have me pegged more as a scientist than an artist. 🙂 It is definitely true that I am always seeking to fill the frame, whether I am shooting with a telephoto lens or a macro lens.
To get the most I would think you have too.
I go with #1. Might be because I’m mot of a landscape guy. Plus, I’m not into macro shots. If I had taken the portrait perspective, I probable would have cropped it in a square mode. In the end, both visually work
Thanks for your response, kenne. I really do believe that cropping is mostly a matter of personal preference. I have recently taken a liking to a square crop and might try that one of these images to see how it looks.
I’ll go with the top image. I like your work best when it’s an equal mix of science and art. Actually, I give more weight to the art, but in your case it isn’t art unless the science is there too. So then I guess it amounts to an artistic presentation of science.
Thanks, Michael. I love the way you described the art/science conundrum. Your last sentence pretty well reflects my ideal approach to photography.
Nice Mike! I like #2 best for the dragonfly detail! But like the “moody look” set with image #1. Maybe a hair more crop in so the dragonfly is a little more prominent in the image and stands out more against the green leaf. You asked so I responded, but both are Great!
Thanks, Reed. I think you and are are on pretty much the same sheet of music for the same reasons.
I like the second one best. It feels like the dragonfly swooped in and up to the branch because my eyes follows the branch to it. In the first one the trip feels as though it’s cut off. 🙂
Thanks, Louella, for your response and especially for your explanation.
I like the detail in the bottom one. I like the shadows in both.
Thanks, Dan. As I expected, the audience is split on this one, with perhaps a slight preference for the second one.
They’re both quite good.
I like macro shots but am not terribly enamoured of dragonflies (sorry! I prefer your bird and butterfly images and the occasional frog or whatever else you encounter). I like image #1 because I find the green leaf quite dramatic.
It’s the landscape image for me. More of the leaf and the dark background create a very nice balance that works well with the color of the dragonfly. If it had been one of the vivid species I might have chosen the other.
I like the detail of the portrait shot with a hint of the leaf. It emphasises the length of the dragon fly. You could crop it to a square too as a third option!
I’ve always had a problem with rules, so – I vote for both.
It’s all about context. With a scientific agenda, the second image provides a more focused look at the details of the subject.
For sheer pleasure, the landscape mode let’s us see where this dragon lives and helps put us into the scene.
I empathize and face this dilemma a lot. And I usually end up posting two images since, as I just demonstrated, I often refuse to make a decision! 🙂
I like the second shot best because I can see both sets of wings easily.
Thanks, Molly. It was an interesting experiment to see which view people preferred and why–the jury was more or less split, with a slightly larger number preferring, as you did, the more detailed shot.
[…] Powell photographed a Gray Petaltail dragonfly (Tachopteryx thoreyi) along the same stream on 10 July 2019. Now we know with reasonable certainty that Gray Petaltail and Tiger Spiketail can coexist in the […]