The frame may be divided into many areas but one of the most common situations is where the frame is divided by the horizon line. In the exercise, we were asked to choose a viewpoint with an unbroken clear horizon and to try and arrange the horizon into different positions. I chose to photograph Onetangi beach which is on Waiheke Island, off the coast of Auckland.
the horizon is placed low in the frame which emphasises the sky - this produces quite a static image here and on reflection I could have placed the horizon lower.
placed centrally, there is an equal division in the frame and the rocks in the foreground add interest.
the horizon is placed high allowing the foreground to dominate giving a greater depth to the view.
I walked a bit further up the beach and took this shot from a low angel, the foreground in this is dominant - I wanted to draw the viewer's attention to pattern on the sands as it moves the viewer's eye forward.
Conclusion: It is interesting to see how the placement of the horizon can affect the image. I am not convinced by the effect the low horizon gives in the above image of the beach - I prefer the sense of depth when the horizon is placed high in the frame. The exercise has raised my awareness of "division" in the frame, and in future I think I will make a conscious effort to think more constructively about where to place the horizon. In particular, I guess I wont be too afraid to place the horizon high.. as experienced in this exercise, I quite like the effect on the image.
Two more images: the first shot is with the horizon placed high in the frame. I wanted to capture some early morning fog as the sun was coming up over an olive grove. In the second picture, I 've placed the horizon low, it is difficult to say which image I prefer as they both seem to have an element of drama with the band of fog.
