Jim Gollan @ OCA Art of Photography: Positioning the horizon (1.3b)

Requirement

6 photographs

Purpose

To show the impact on an image of placing the horizon line (in an landscape) high, middle and low

Technical learning

Many situations in composition demand a decision on dividing the frame into 2 or more distinct areas: for example,between colours, light and shade or, most commonly, the horizon line between land and sky
In landscapes the choice of horizon line is important, particularly where the foreground lacks a point of interest
Placement of the horizon in the middle creates a static image, although a point of interest in the foreground reduces this effect
A higher or lower horizon will be more dynamic, giving prominence either to the sky (low) or the foreground and land (high), which in the latter case also adds to the feeling of depth

Exercise instructions

Find a landscape with a clear horizon. Consider the different positions in which you could arrange the horizon line. Take a picture of each option.

Images and Review

Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset enjoys a swing in tides that opens up its beach to create a vast flat plain of sand and sea. A great place to experience the elements. Each photo was taken under-exposed by 2/3rds of a stop to increase the contrast of the clouds and reinforce the stormy mood.

The stormy sky is the subject. The pier provides some foreground interest

The sky and the beach are both points of interest, placing the horizon line in the centre brings out the contrast in colour and texture between them.

The pier is the subject, to which the concrete path leads the eye. The sky and the beach recede into the background

I prefer the second image, because it has the most content, although the first has marginally more balance in tones and is slightly more dynamic.

Further learning

2 important considerations in deciding where to place the horizon line in a landscape are:

The relative levels of interest between land and sky. A dull overcast sky prompts placing the horizon line close to the top edge of the frame, whereas an exciting sky demands the opposite, unless also the foreground has features of interest.
The graphic effect. The natural tendency is to place the horizon line low in the frame: this adds to the sense of stability. However, balancing graphic elements, such as tones, textures or colours is also a consideration.

Other images

The view from Tower Bridge from London Bridge after sunrise - shame part of the sky is blown out.

The Thames, the boats and the bridge dominate. The sky is just background.

The sky and the ray of light start to feature

The sky is now the subject

Even more so here

The harbour at Chatham on the River Medway - a vertical frame and in black and white (as the colours were dull)

The python-like channel in the mud bank leads the eye to the moored boat. The boat stops the eye from wandering out of the frame and send it back to the channel.