TikTok is a popular social media app that allows users to create and share short videos, typically set to music or other audio clips. Since its launch in 2016, TikTok has grown to over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide.
The app is designed primarily for creating and viewing portrait mode videos that fill the entire phone screen vertically. This makes sense given that most people naturally hold their phones vertically when browsing and recording. According to TikTok statistics, over 90% of videos on the platform are shot in portrait mode.
What is landscape mode?
Landscape mode refers to the horizontal screen orientation where the width is greater than the height. This is in contrast to portrait mode, where the height is greater than the width, resulting in a vertical screen orientation.
The terms landscape and portrait originate from art and photography, where landscape format refers to horizontal compositions and portrait format refers to vertical compositions (Source).
On devices like smartphones and tablets, landscape orientation occurs when the device is rotated 90 degrees to the side so that the screen width becomes greater than the height. This allows the interface and content to make better use of the widescreen display.
Why use landscape mode on TikTok?
There are several benefits to using landscape mode on TikTok that allow users to get more out of the viewing experience. Landscape mode fits more content on the screen since the width is larger than portrait mode. This expanded canvas is especially useful for certain types of videos like dance routines, sports highlights, and comedy sketches where capturing more of the scene adds value.
According to an article on Medium, landscape mode works better for wide shots: “Landscape mode works better for wide shots since it has a wider frame to capture more content within the shot” (source). With a wider frame, landscape mode can better showcase all the action without needing to pan the camera or cut between shots.
The Independent notes landscape mode allows for more immersive viewing: “The landscape view is better for longer videos that need more immersive viewing” (source). Sitting back and watching a mini documentary or full dance routine is a more engaging experience when in landscape mode.
Overall, landscape orientation takes better advantage of the screen real estate on mobile devices and allows creators to fit more visual information into their TikTok videos.
How to turn on landscape mode
Turning on landscape mode in TikTok is easy to do on both iOS and Android devices. Here are step-by-step instructions with screenshots for enabling landscape mode:
On iPhone or iPad:
1. Open the TikTok app and start recording a new video by tapping the plus (+) icon in the bottom center.
2. Once you are recording, turn your phone sideways so it is in landscape orientation. The app will automatically switch to landscape mode.
3. You can confirm you are recording in landscape mode if the shutter button turns red. The red shutter button indicates you are recording horizontally.
4. Tap the red shutter button when you are done recording to stop the video.
On Android:
1. Open the TikTok app and start recording a new video by tapping the capture button at the bottom.
2. Turn your phone sideways to switch to landscape orientation. The app will automatically change to landscape mode.
3. Tap the red shutter button to stop recording your landscape video.
That’s all there is to it! Once you turn your phone to record horizontally, TikTok will automatically record videos in landscape format on both iOS and Android devices.
Best Practices for Landscape Videos on TikTok
Shooting effective landscape videos for TikTok requires planning for the additional width and canvas space. There are some key filming and editing tips to optimize your landscape content so your videos stand out:
– Fill the frame: Since you have more horizontal space in landscape, take advantage by filling the full width of the frame with visuals. Get close to subjects and avoid dead space on the edges.
– Use landscape orientation wisely: Consider whether landscape truly enhances your video or if portrait makes more sense for the content. Landscape can showcase environments, activities, and multiple subjects.
– Mind the background: Be aware of what’s behind your main subject and make sure nothing distracting enters the wider frame as you pan.
– Stabilize the camera: The exaggerated sideways motion is more visible in landscape, so use a tripod or gimbal for smoother panning.
– Add text and graphics carefully: Overlay text and graphics sparingly as you have more visuals to compete with. Use large, bold fonts.
– Pick landscape aspect ratio: For uploading, choose the 9:16 landscape video size in TikTok to get the most real estate.
– Enhance with transitions and effects: Use quick cuts, zooms, pans, and other effects to keep viewers engaged with the dynamic canvas.
Optimizing your landscape videos with these tips can help them be more compelling and visually engaging on TikTok’s platform. Fill the frame, stabilize the shot, and make smart editing choices for landscape success.
Popular landscape videos
Landscape videos are becoming increasingly popular on TikTok. Some of the most viral and high-performing videos on the platform have been filmed in landscape mode. The widescreen format is well-suited to certain types of content, allowing creators to showcase more details, settings, and actions in their videos. Here are some examples of popular landscape videos on TikTok:
Travel landscape videos – The landscape orientation is ideal for capturing sprawling natural scenery, epic landscapes, and sweeping cityscape views in travel videos. Creators like @mr.adventure leverage the landscape format to showcase jaw-dropping locations from around the world.
Dance/choreography videos – The extra horizontal space gives dancers and choreographers room to include more complex moves and formations in their landscape videos. Talented choreographers like @actionbyamrit make full use of the landscape canvas in their viral dance videos.
Gaming compilation videos – Gaming videos look more cinematic and immersive in landscape format. Popular gaming compilation creators like @fgteev utilize the landscape orientation to showcase horizontally-framed gameplay footage from console and PC games.
The landscape format opens up fresh creative possibilities on TikTok. Expect to see even more stunning and innovative landscape videos going viral on the platform in future.
Limitations of landscape mode
While landscape mode can help creators make more cinematic and eye-catching videos, there are some limitations to be aware of when using it on TikTok.
First, landscape videos appear smaller in users’ feeds since they don’t fill the entire vertical screen like portrait videos do. This reduced visibility means landscape videos may get less engagement overall (Source).
Additionally, when uploading a landscape video, TikTok’s in-app editor will automatically convert it to a 9:16 aspect ratio. This is often done by zooming and cropping the original landscape video, which can cut out important parts of the frame (Source).
There are also some limitations on certain mobile devices. For example, on iPhones, landscape mode only works when the phone is turned horizontally. If the phone orientation changes, the video will revert to portrait mode and crop in again. This makes consistently capturing landscape videos challenging for mobile creators.
Finally, landscape mode isn’t yet available for some TikTok creative effects and editing features like green screen videos. So creators who rely heavily on those tools may find their options limited when filming horizontally.
Overall, while landscape opens up new creative possibilities, portrait mode remains the primary and most visible format on TikTok. Creators should weigh the pros and cons before deciding which orientation makes the most sense for their content goals and audience.
TikTok Landscape Mode Features
TikTok has optimized several tools and editing options specifically for landscape mode videos. One handy feature is the ability to film landscape videos directly in the TikTok app, instead of having to film vertically and rotate later. The app detects when you switch to landscape orientation and automatically adjusts the interface.
TikTok’s built-in editing tools like trimming, filters, and text also work seamlessly on landscape videos. You can trim and adjust clips, add effects and captions, and the edits will fill the wider frame appropriately. According to users on Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/TikTok/comments/1069yeo/how_to_post_a_landscape_video_and_the_option_full/), the “Full Screen” text tool even expands to fill the entire landscape frame.
Other editing options like transitions and stickers have also been optimized for landscape mode. Overall, TikTok’s editing suite allows creators to fully utilize the expanded creative canvas that landscape orientation provides.
Experts tips for using landscape mode
Many popular TikTok influencers have shared their advice for creating great videos in landscape mode. Here are some tips from the experts:
TikTok star Charli D’Amelio recommends using landscape for dance videos to capture full choreography: “I love using landscape mode for my dance videos. You can fit in the whole dance instead of having to cut parts out.” (Source)
Andrew Barba, a TikTok creator with over 5 million followers, suggests landscape for comedy skits: “Skits and comedy just work better in landscape. You get the full picture which makes the joke land better.” (Source)
Fashion and beauty influencer Avani Gregg likes landscape for outfit videos: “I can show off my full outfit so much better in landscape mode. My followers love seeing the complete look.” (Source)
Lifestyle vlogger Brent Rivera advises using landscape for challenges: “Challenges and trends need that wide landscape frame to capture all the action. It’s perfect for showing more people and activity.” (Source)
The future of landscape mode on TikTok
Landscape mode on TikTok is still in the early testing phases, but many expect its usage and capabilities to grow significantly in the future. As TikTok aims to compete more directly with platforms like YouTube that are built for landscape video, landscape mode may see rapid development in the coming months.
Some speculate that TikTok will introduce new creative editing tools and controls optimized for landscape videos [https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/13/tiktok-inches-further-youtubes-territory-horizontal-full-screen-mode/]. Features like multi-clip editing, transitions, and text/graphics overlays tailored for wider frame footage could help content creators make the most of landscape mode. TikTok may also integrate landscape live streaming as it continues expanding into longer-form vertical video.
As landscape provides more screen real estate, brands and creators will likely flock to the new format for more immersive and cinematic videos. Analysts predict landscape mode usage will see significant growth in 2023, especially among TikTok’s power users [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-11545445/TikTok-testing-LANDSCAPE-videos-bid-YouTubes-territory.html]. However, portrait will likely remain the primary format as many continue to optimize content for mobile. Overall, landscape introduces exciting new creative possibilities as TikTok evolves as a platform.
