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This diagram shows the ultimate solution to the horizontal vs. vertical shooting debate

by 20 Comments

Vertical videos seem to be the future, whether we like it or not. It all started with Instagram and Snapchat, and even Arri and Samsung have joined the trend. However, the arguments against it are still strong and the debate between vertical and horizontal video seems never-ending at this point. But, a brilliant comic from xkcd seems to have the ultimate solution!

 

Sure, you can shoot horizontal, it’s a tradition and why would we change something that’s worked for so many decades. On the other hand, trends are changing, the world is changing, shouldn’t we adapt to the change? No matter which stance you take, you’ll annoy someone. Well, xkcd suggests that maybe we should shoot diagonal. Could it be “a good compromise?” I don’t know, but I bet that it would be “equally annoying to all viewers.”

[via xkcd]

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  • Reasons why video should only be landscape…
    1. Our vision is landscape.
    Simple as.

    • aleroe

      Absolutely. We have two eyes and they’re arranged horizontally. so our field of view is wider than it is tall.

    • Tell that to Instagram, Snapchat, Tik Tok, and all these platforms that are, for the most part, phone-only. They are the reason that vertical video is now a ‘thing’. Even without the apps, everyone takes videos vertically with their phones. I try to incorporate BTS video from clients sometimes, but no matter how many times I say ‘shoot it horizontal’, 9 times out of 10 it’s always vertical. That’s just the way people hold their phones. Vertical video is here to stay, unfortunately.

  • If I’m posting on IG, then vertical is fine. But any other platform like YT or FB, horizontal all the way.

  • Looks normal to old people? WTH???

    • My HS graduation pictures were vertical. I’m 50 years old. So, yeah, no.

  • Televisions are still landscape. Vertical video on a tv is a waste of so many pixels

  • I call BS on “It looks normal” to old people. Shoot however you want.

  • Horizontal. TVs, monitors, all horizontal.

  • Is ‘vertical’ shooting actually a real thing ? 🤔

    • Yes, thanks to Instagram, Snapchat and whatever other apps are all for the most part phone-only.

  • A horizon of endless possibilities left, right, North, South, East and West.
    “Ugh, I’m turning my phone sideways!”

  • I don’t care how you shoot, just don’t put a stupid border on it with a text caption so it ends up square… no matter which way you turn your phone it’s NEVER full screen
    Does my head in 🙄

  • Chainsaw Charlie

    Most normal people DOESN’T shoot and watch video in vertical orientation. You are free to accept vertical videos as normal, but it doesn’t mean that it’s normal, and that we will accept it too.

  • Joost

    I actually like what VICE did, (IG) video starts in square (different discussion? feels same as vertical) and directs you to turn your phone to horizontal. If you like the content enough, you will.

  • Susi, du bist ja eher der schräge Typ oder? 😉

  • Cheryl

    Watching vertical videos drives me nuts (and I’m not old). Our eyes are designed to see horizontally and watching a vertical video makes me feel like there’s a bunch of image I’m not seeing.

  • It’s annoying that vertical videos are forced on you thanks to Instagram, Snapchat, Tik Tok and whatever other apps are, for the most part, phone-only. And it’s not going away. If I want to drive people from Instagram to my latest YouTube video, I need two versions, both horizontal and vertical. Yes, you can post horizontal videos in Instagram’s feed, but try it in stories or IGTV and it looks awful.

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