@Dave Clark, I respectfully disagree. But as always, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But I have not given any misinformation. Of course, external and personal factors can certainly make advice more or less effective for some than others. For example, I have seen you have taken a stance many times that the use of a flash is a waste of time and completely unnecessary, and then I heard the voices of those who disagree all around you (that is, before you exclude them from the conversation by kicking them out of your Facebook group). You surely have learned that there is no "one way" to get the job done, haven't you?
I have heard more often than not, that the main reason photographers only deliver 3:2 landscape is not because of their MLS restrictions, but because, and I quote, "my clients want it this way". I have heard the same response about several choices, like whether to turn lights on or off, or whether to shoot tighter compositions vs. ultra-wide, or how much of a window view is necessary or aesthetically pleasing.
I do not live all by myself on an island where there are no other photographers, and am able to make and live by my own rules. I live in a major US city; Atlanta. It's a very large market and I am in the heart of it. I don't do business in a suburb. I live IN THIS CITY. I have a thousand competitors who subscribe to the same run-of-the-mill, collect-your-paycheck process, and yet I do my own thing and deliver high quality images that don't look like anyone else's. I have a book of business that I have built BECAUSE OF my compositions and lighting, and cropping, and vertical compositions. Not in spite of it.
To unequivocally say that adhering to a certain aspect ratio is the only proper way to compose is very short-sighted, at best.
I give my advice from my standpoint, and from my experience. It is based on my own experimentation, successes, and failures. It's called perspective. I am not wrong, and neither are you. However, there is room for all of us, so you might try to exercise a little more tact so the conversation is productive.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Dave.
