This exercise required me to take a number of photographs of a landscape in which there is a clear and unbroken horizon. The object is to explore different positions in which the horizon line could be arranged in the frame.
I took the follow photographs at a bog not far from where I live.
No.1
In the above image the horizon is positioned near the top of the frame, giving weight to the bog, but also an unbalanced feel.
No.2
The horizon is positioned on the upper division using the rule of thirds in the above image. While emphasis is given to the area below the horizon, the photograph feels more natural and there is harmony between the sky and the land. However the foreground is a little plain and lacking a point of interest to draw the eye.
No.3
In image three, the horizon is set a little above the centre of the frame, giving more weight to the sky than the previous image. However, there is something lacking in the foreground, and it doesn’t work as well as picture two.
No.4
In image four, the horizon sits centrally in the frame. The course textbook states that ‘equal division of the frame creates a very static composition‘, and ‘the addition of foreground detail makes the static effect of a centrally placed horizon less important‘. Both of these statements are represented in the above image, resulting in a relatively pleasing photograph.
No.5
The horizon sit just below the central line in the above image, giving more prominence to the sky. The photograph has a softer, more dynamic feel.
No.6
In photograph six, the rule of thirds is used again, however this time the horizon sits on the lower divisional line, giving great weight to the sky. The viewers eyes are very comfortable looking at the natural composition.
No.7
In the final image the horizon is positioned near the bottom of the frame. While the landscape has the same depth throughout the series, it isn’t until image seven that it feels very compressed. The final photograph is more dynamic, and I really like the composition, however the sky is too plain and doesn’t add any drama.
In this series, I feel that the latter three images are stronger. Image six, with its ‘rule of thirds’ composition is very natural and a safe option. The photograph I prefer in the series would have to be image five, where the horizon is positioned just under the central line, giving just the right balance between the plain sky and the interesting landscape.
Tim's Learning Log 