Landscape or Portrait?

[AnotherAngle]

Hi Guys,

Still learning. Got a question on when to compose the picture in landscape format (most common) or the portrait format. Take for example the two very similar shots, which is better.
The landscape shot:

and the portrait shot:

or how about this two:

and

Comments and advice are welcome

Thanx.

 

[ckiang]

1st pic : Portriat mode better - depicts the narrow alley in a better way.

2nd pic: Landscape mode better - lets the viewer see the vast number of coloured flags spread out.

P.S. This is in Yunnan?

Regards
CK

 

[AnotherAngle]

Originally posted by ckiang
1st pic : Portriat mode better - depicts the narrow alley in a better way.

2nd pic: Landscape mode better - lets the viewer see the vast number of coloured flags spread out.

P.S. This is in Yunnan?

Regards
CK

No, first pic is in Suzhou, one of those water village with a lot of waterways. 2nd pic is Shanghai, at the Pearl Tower in Putong.

 

[Vadim]

I also favor portrait composition for the 1st picture, and landscape composition for the 2nd one.