• Understanding SLR camera settings
• Tips for taking better photographs
• SLR tips for beginners

Composition tips for landscape horizons

One of the most important aspects to take into account when photographing landscapes, is where to place the horizon. The position of a horizon within a photo's composition, can make a huge difference between seeing a good or bad result. Before you position a horizon, you need to think about what it is you are taking a photograph of. Ask yourself whether it was the ground or the sky, that first took your eye.

For example, if it was water reflections on a beach that first took your eye, then make sure the ground area makes up 2/3 of your photo, placing the horizon within the top third of the image. On the otherhand, if it was a beautiful cloud formation in the sky that made you want to photograph the landscape, then place the horizon within the bottom third of the image, so the sky takes up the top two thirds of the image. A mistake many amateur's make, is that they cut the landscape in half by placing the horizon dead centre in the middle of the frame. At first, this would confuse a viewer, as it wouldn't be clear what it is they are meant to be looking at. Is it the sky, or the ground area you are showing them?