How to Make Video from Landscape to Portrait: Transforming Your Video Orientation Effectively

Turning a video from landscape to portrait format has become an essential skill, especially for sharing content on social media platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. The process involves more than just rotating the frame—there are key steps and design principles to follow to ensure your video looks natural and engaging in the new aspect ratio.

The primary method involves using video editing software. Popular tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or even free apps like CapCut and InShot, allow you to change the aspect ratio easily. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Import your landscape video into your chosen editor.
2. Create a new project or sequence with a portrait (vertical) aspect ratio, commonly 9:16 or 1080x1920 pixels.
3. Place your landscape video onto the timeline. You’ll notice black bars on the top and bottom or sides.
4. Resize and reposition the video. You can zoom in (scale up) and move the frame to keep the subject centered. If scaling up causes quality loss, consider using AI-powered upscaling features available in some editors for better results.
5. Add design elements such as blurred backgrounds, overlay text, or graphics to enhance the look and prevent parts of the frame from appearing empty or awkward.
6. Export and review your portrait video before sharing.

From a professional designer’s perspective, it’s crucial to think about composition and content layout. Not every part of a landscape frame will translate well into portrait. You may need to reframe scenes, zoom in on the main subject, or crop parts of the footage for a natural-looking portrait video. This mirrors the approach to home designer projects, where reimagining spatial relationships for function and visual appeal is key—so be deliberate about where attention is focused in the new vertical format.

Tips 1:

Before changing formats, storyboard what’s most important in each frame. Think like a designer: does the vertical crop overwhelm the eye, or does it help guide focus? Sometimes, adding subtle background elements or text can help balance the composition in portrait orientation for a more polished and intentional look.

FAQ

Q: What’s the best aspect ratio for converting to portrait video?

A: The standard is 9:16 (such as 1080x1920 pixels), which fits most social media platforms.

Q: Will converting landscape to portrait reduce my video quality?

A: If you scale up the image significantly, you may lose quality. Using high-resolution originals and AI-based upscaling can help maintain clarity.

Q: Can I add design elements to fill empty spaces in portrait videos?

A: Yes, blurred versions of the original video, solid color backgrounds, or branded overlays are commonly used to enhance visuals.

Q: What software should I use for format conversion?

A: Popular choices include Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, and InShot. Many offer free and paid options for aspect ratio editing.

Q: When should I shoot in portrait instead of converting from landscape?

A: If your main distribution channel is vertical-centric (like TikTok or Instagram Reels), shoot in portrait to capture the best composition and detail for that format.