The horizon may not seem like a big deal, but it can make or break your landscape photography. Here are two horizon photo tips that can help.
Landscape photographs are among the most beautiful photos you can produce. But,
it isn't easy! To get decent results, you have to know, understand - and follow - tons of rules. Individually, none of them are a very big deal, but they combine to create powerful landscape photos. Today's photo tips are each another of those little steps to greatness.
In yesterday's photo tip, we discussed using the right kind of light. Today we will talk about a couple compositional elements.
Photo tip #1 - Make sure your horizon is straight!
This seems so basic as to be almost unworthy of mention, but it is amazing how often the horizon line is not straight!
True, when you are shooting a mountainous scene - with hills, valleys and so on… it can sometimes be difficult to determine just where the horizon is. But you have to find it, and make it level.
It becomes more obvious when you are looking at a photo of the ocean. THAT horizon absolutely must be level and frequently it isn't. It's a bit disconcerting to see it sloping to one side. Is the ocean pouring out of the frame?
It only takes a second - double check and make sure your horizons are level.
Photo tip #2 - Make sure your (straight) horizon is not in the dead center of the photograph. You need a "star" for the viewer's eye to settle on.
This rule is easier to violate than the level horizon one is - and it is violated right and left!
Having the horizon in the center of the frame feels right - while having it off center is counter intuitive. But it is a compositional must!
When the horizon is dividing the photo in half, it is very static and boring! There is no excitement or drama. The viewer doesn't know what is important and what they should focus their attention on - the sky, or the ground?
Where should they look?
Any contest winning photograph needs a "star". In this case, what is the star - is it the sky? Did you want to show the viewer the dramatic clouds with golden light kissing the bottom?
If so, lower the horizon to about the bottom third of the frame and make the sky the star!
Is the star the ground? Did you want to draw attention to some natural feature or possibly a placid lake?
Raise the horizon to about the top third of the frame and accent the ground.
There was SOMETHING that caught your eye when you decided to take the shot... What was it? Make sure to raise or lower the horizon to make it the star - then make sure the horizon is level! These two photo tips will help you become the best landscape photographer in your area.
