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Mastering Photographic Composition and Visual Storytelling

Lesson 44 of 50

The Horizon Line

Chris Weston

Beginner > Mastering Photographic Composition And Visual Storytelling > The Horizon Line

Mastering Photographic Composition and Visual Storytelling

Chris Weston

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Lesson Info

44. The Horizon Line

Lessons

Class Trailer
1 Your 10,001st Photograph 03:24 2 Camera Gear 03:03 3 Piece of Gear We Always Forget 03:47 4 Be a Storyteller 03:09 5 Finding Ideas For Photography - Know Your Subject 06:59 6 Cae Study - Why Are Zebras Black and White Striped 01:30 7 Photograph What You Love 02:00 8 See the Extraordinary in Ordinary Things 01:31
9 Have an Opinion 01:46 10 See With a Child’s Eyes 02:34 11 Tell Your Story 08:46 12 Find a Needle in the Haystack 01:38 13 Lions Hunting Under Star Trails 04:21 14 Ansel Adams and Visualisation in Practice 03:20 15 Keeping an Open Mind and Thinking on Your Feet 02:47 16 Case Study - The Maternal Bond 02:42 17 Don’t Tell the Same Old Story 02:38 18 Relevance 01:06 19 #1 Reason Photographs Fail 02:57 20 Getting Rid of Clutter 03:59 21 Post Capture Cropping 02:04 22 The Elements of Design 02:31 23 Elements of Design 01:38 24 Elements of Design - Shape 02:21 25 Case Study - Shape 02:11 26 Elements of Design - Color 01:55 27 Case Study - Color 01:50 28 Color in Camera 01:42 29 Pattern 01:54 30 Texture 02:24 31 Seeing The Elements of Design 08:52 32 Gestalt Theory 05:10 33 Case Study - Cove 01:36 34 Case Study - Hat 02:09 35 Light and Contrast 01:54 36 Light and Form 01:26 37 Light and Depth 03:48 38 Perspective 02:28 39 Lenses and Perspective 02:47 40 Rule of Thirds 02:48 41 Centre of Frame 01:36 42 Case Study - Positioning the Subject 01:48 43 Positioning the Subject - Dynamic Symmetry 03:20 44 The Horizon Line 02:52 45 Should the Horizon Line Always be Straight and Level 02:13 46 Other Lines 04:57 47 Rhythm, Balance, and Visual Weight 02:59 48 Negative Space 02:29 49 The Two Most Important Controls on Your Camera 03:41 50 Training the Mind 04:26

Lesson Info

The Horizon Line

The Horizon Line is one of the most important compositional elements in a photograph, whether it's an implied line or the actual horizon. At its simplest, it determines eye level now, controlling eye level influences how the viewer relates to the photograph in two ways. First of all, it's shifts emphasis with a low horizon, the eyes of forced look upwards, accentuating the visual elements above the line. For example, in this image, I've placed the horizon in the bottom of the frame toe, emphasize the spectacular sky. When the horizon line is placed high in the frame, it forces the ice to gaze downwards on objects below, the liner emphasized. This is a useful technique for scenes where, for example, the sky is banal because it draws the eye away from the blandness on directs attention onto interest in the foreground. When the horizon line is positioned exactly half way, there's equal weighting have applied this technique in this image, which helps to accentuate the mirroring effect of t...

he water surface. Theo extent, it becomes almost impossible to tell which half Israel on which half is the reflection. I level also affects us psychologically. Dude way psychoanalytical theory known as the adult child relationship. Adults look down towards a child, and they are the dominant party in that relationship, while Children look up adults, making them the subservient participant. Now in adult adult relationship, where both parties are at the same eye level, neither is dominant nor submissive. Instead, the relationship is one of equality, and this psychology spills over into composition on. Beyond directing, our gaze determines the emotional relationship formed twin, the subject on the viewer. For example, if I compose an image from the high eye level looking down on the subject, the viewer becomes the dominant party in the relationship and assumes power over the subject. By changing to a low I level shooting up the subject. The relationship reverses the subject, becomes the dominant party and takes with its superiority. If I change my level again this time so that subject and viewer I toe I neither party dominates and the relationship is one of equality. This is the reason that when photographing my specialist subject wildlife, I almost always shoot. I level. When I want to add visual tension, I might drop eye level to emphasize the animals Dominion. Rarely do I ever give power to the viewer because it makes for a less compelling image. Now none of these impressions are wrong or right. It depends entirely on your story. As the author, you have to decide on the character of your subjects and use eye level to reveal it to your audience.

Class Description

WARNING: THIS COURSE CONTAINS ARTISTIC NUDITY

AFTER THIS CLASS YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:

  • Compose a shot consistently and effectively
  • Create artistic, powerful images quickly
  • Gain confidence in building narrative
  • Identify what stories you’re drawn to photograph
  • Brainstorm and develop concepts for creative shots
  • Trust your instincts when approaching a subject

ABOUT CHRIS' CLASS:

CreativeLive is partnering with Chris Weston to offer you his Complete Photography Master Course. This is the second class in the series.

Today, everybody has a camera, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s a photographer. Chris Weston will show you how to do all the other stuff – how to “see” an image, tap into your creativity, and compose a photograph that makes the subject look as good in print as it does in real life.

This class isn’t about cameras, it’s about you – the photographer. It will break free your creative mind, get you thinking about narrative rather than object, and show you how to apply simple artistic skills that turn that next click into a powerful photograph.

Learn how to approach photography like a pro and start creating great pictures straight away. With in-the-field lessons, case studies and powerful tips and techniques, you’ll quickly unleash your creativity and gain confidence in expressing yourself through your camera.

WHO THIS CLASS IS FOR:

  • Beginner photographers
  • First time DSLR or mirrorless camera users
  • Any photographer who wants to hone their artistic skills

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

Named one of the world's most influential wildlife photographers, Chris Weston takes a contemporary approach to photography. After launching his career in 2001, the Fujifilm ambassador's images have graced the pages of top publications like BBC, The Times, Outdoor Photography, Practical Photography, and Digital Photography. As a photography educator, Chris has written over 20 photography books, along with leading photo tours and online workshops.

Reviews

Edmund Cheung
 

Perhaps the style of presentation and simple, short, and direct messaging does not "jive" with some; but others may really love this. Yes the production of each episode is stylized and perhaps a bit formal (like a TV Show?), but there is something to be said about it. Perhaps this is not meant for professional photographers? I think of myself as decent amateur / high level photographer. I found lots of great nuggets of wisdom and inspiration from this. Especially when I an in a rut for creativity. Yes I have heard all these concepts and ideas before. BUT it is always great to hear and see a different way of presentation and voice. Please do NOT take the naysayer reviews as the end all. You should judge for yourself and watch a few episodes. If the style and content click for you, I would highly recommend this course.

Kai Atherton
 

While I am perhaps more advanced in my photography then this course. It is always great to be able to go back to fundamentals and remind ourselves of the basic principles, and even camera function. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and Chris's other. It is a great motivational jumpstart when lacking fresh creative idea's.

Abdullah Alahmari
 

Thanks a lot to mr. Chris Weston This course is great and It is a 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 course for me. Beside the other course ( mastering the art of photography ) both courses are Complementing to each other and highly recommended.