As I walked along the Middle Branch of the Swift River which flows into the Quabbin Reservoir I was looking for cascades like the one I posted yesterday. But the first thing I noticed was the edge across from me with a dead and broken tree and a lot of green around it. My first impulse was a portrait mode image, but the fallen branch attracted as well so I flipped the camera. Which do you think works better…assuming you think either works. 🙂
The trunk closer to us was leaning across the river and wedged into the tree I was standing under. The lower fern fronds were hanging into the water so are not out of focus but in constant motion.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
My first impulse was that I preferred the portrait style. But I looked at them again after reducing their screen size. The landscape view shows the terrain better, the slope to the left, the balance of colors and textures.
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My first impulse was to photograph it in portrait mode and then thought the same as you, Melanie. It’s good to have choices.
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The green is luscious. The scene reminds me a bit of the frog you posted: it’s the combination of wet and green that links them. We’re hot enough now that a glade like this is deeply appealing.
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In contrast, here’s our sunset a couple of nights ago: through a pronounced Saharan air layer. The color’s true.
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That doesn’t look like good breathing conditions.
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They were miles apart, but green and wet are fine qualities and I am always happy to spend time in such places.
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I like the landscape mode. It gives me more information about the scene as Melanie described above.
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I prefer the first photo. Just seems more personal and I can see the ferns better. This is a very appealing photo- green and serene.
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I enjoy intimate landscapes and find the first a bit more personal as you say, Yvonne. The horizontal does have a bit more story to tell. I like both so appreciate the different opinions by everyone.
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I like the landscape mode better.
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Thanks, Gail.
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The landscape format draws me into the image more than the portrait one. I’d like to see another with maybe twice as much water (or a bit more) in the lower edge. But I’m always drawn to moving water. There’s a genus of caddis flies called Hydropsyche, with which I feel a great affinity.
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Actually there is one more image from the time here with more water that will show up here shortly, Gary. As much as I enjoy insects, I have to admit to a lack of affinity with them. Frogs….they’re more my type. 🙂
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Love the lush greens; such a wonderful image, such a wonderful reminder of the special world we inhabit.
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Thanks, Charlie. For some unknown reason, your last two comments have ended up in the spam bin.
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I’m siding with Portrait over Landscape. The Landscape photo is overwhelmed with vegetation, causing an oversaturation of green. The Portrait photo has the very attractive water blur and a variety of other colors from the trunk and the vegetation as well. If the fallen limb had more character to its position or appearance, the decision would have been more difficult.
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Thanks, q. I am glad that there are fans of both formats.
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I vote for portrait mode. Or maybe landscape. Can I have both?
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That’s my feeling too…this one, no that one , no this one…uh.
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Same here…but I think I like the landscape better. Yes, I think so. It made me say, “OH!” to myself. Good thing nobody can hear me 🙂
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Cool! I like it when an image gets that sort of reaction. And I’d like it if others heard that. 🙂
Thanks, Melissa.
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My pleasure.
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