Horizons
Sep 27, 2015 16:38:24 #
I've just returned from a sailing holiday in Gibraltar - in fact, my wife Karen and I completed a qualification that will enable us to charter yachts in the future. Anyway, the purpose of this post is a question: now, we all love a level horizon on here don't we? Of course we do but my question is this: do we like the horizon level when it wasn't? Or at least when it didn't appear to be at any rate. Here is an example: BTW, these shots are not for show or critique so that's why I'm posting in the main section. Shot 1 is Karen and me with the yacht heeled over and a sloping horizon. Shot 2 is the same photo but with a levelled horizon. Personally I think number one looks more realistic but I'm interested to know what you all think. Many thanks.
Sep 27, 2015 16:40:25 #
Number one definitely. having a level horizon in this instance is not normal.
Sep 27, 2015 16:50:03 #
jethro779 wrote:
Number one definitely. having a level horizon in this instance is not normal.
Thanks Jethro, that's what I think too but up till now I just wasn't sure.
Sep 27, 2015 17:04:52 #
What would have been even better yet is the photographer had moved just a step to the right so we could have seen the "Rock" in its entirety. Other than that, I vote for level..
Sep 27, 2015 17:08:08 #
In shot number one it looks like someone is spilling the ocean! I much prefer shot number two. This is going to be a personal preference situation, for sure. The tilting of you and your wife would have to be far more extreme for me to enjoy the water's horizon being out of level.
Sep 27, 2015 17:08:32 #
Bob, my opinion is that a knowledge of the situation (being there) or of sailing in general might be needed to accept the slope as the more realistic shot.
As someone unfamiliar with what should be (and who gets motion sickness very easily - ha!), I'm just distracted by the tilted horizon line.
If the photo included more of the boat or rigging, it might provide better context.
edit - Gary, Pat and selmslie said it better after my post: a water horizon is level in reality, and it is the boat and people who are going to be tilted :)
As someone unfamiliar with what should be (and who gets motion sickness very easily - ha!), I'm just distracted by the tilted horizon line.
If the photo included more of the boat or rigging, it might provide better context.
edit - Gary, Pat and selmslie said it better after my post: a water horizon is level in reality, and it is the boat and people who are going to be tilted :)
Sep 27, 2015 17:09:31 #
Bob Yankle wrote:
What would have been even better yet is the photographer had moved just a step to the right so we could have seen the "Rock" in its entirety. Other than that, I vote for level..
While you vote for level the actual fact that any sail boat under sail lists to either port or Starboard is a known fact. Therefore any photo with a level horizon is a contrived photo
Sep 27, 2015 17:12:21 #
Bob Yankle wrote:
What would have been even better yet is the photographer had moved just a step to the right so we could have seen the "Rock" in its entirety. Other than that, I vote for level..
Thanks Bob - always value your opinion. We did actually get one of us and the Rock in its entirety though this was about the horizon issue.
Sep 27, 2015 17:16:40 #
NormanHarley wrote:
In shot number one it looks like someone is spilling the ocean! I much prefer shot number two. This is going to be a personal preference situation, for sure. The tilting of you and your wife would have to be far more extreme for me to enjoy the water's horizon being out of level.
Thanks Norman - you're right of course, this will be about personal opinion and that's why I'm interested to hear what members here think. Under normal circumstances I'm all for the level horizon.
Sep 27, 2015 17:18:22 #
I could not agree more!
#1 is a shot that depicts the event at hand. If you are shooting a motor cross race for instance, and the motor bike was in the air after a jump. how would the horizon look then?
Or, if you were in the middle of a "Left Bank" in a Cessna 172, the same would apply.
Nice shot of you and the wife BTW!!!!!!!!!
One thing I did not get (I'm a little slower these days, LOL) is: Are you a Sailor, or Yautsman, (or whatever it is called) and were "YOU" sailing the boat?? Just curious!
Thanks,Boone. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
#1 is a shot that depicts the event at hand. If you are shooting a motor cross race for instance, and the motor bike was in the air after a jump. how would the horizon look then?
Or, if you were in the middle of a "Left Bank" in a Cessna 172, the same would apply.
Nice shot of you and the wife BTW!!!!!!!!!
One thing I did not get (I'm a little slower these days, LOL) is: Are you a Sailor, or Yautsman, (or whatever it is called) and were "YOU" sailing the boat?? Just curious!
Thanks,Boone. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Sep 27, 2015 17:22:46 #
Garyminor
Loc: Raleigh, NC
Luggerbugs wrote:
I've just returned from a sailing holiday in Gibra... (show quote)
Keep the horizon level!!! Let the boat (and people) tilt as much as it (they) want. Think of a more extreme case where the boat is tilted a lot. The people will probably be tilted some but not as much. Of course you could do some of both and see which YOU like better.
Sep 27, 2015 17:23:21 #
I'm not a boat guy...
I think a level horizon is normal. If the boat was leaning, it should look like it was leaning.
Looks like a beautiful area.
#2 for me!
Pat
I think a level horizon is normal. If the boat was leaning, it should look like it was leaning.
Looks like a beautiful area.
#2 for me!
Pat
Sep 27, 2015 17:26:22 #
Sep 27, 2015 17:31:17 #
Luggerbugs wrote:
... Personally I think number one looks more realistic but I'm interested to know what you all think. Many thanks.
Having done a lot of sailing and photography, in my opinion a sloping horizon is always disturbing while a heeling boat and level horizon will always appear normal.
You can't always accomplish this in the camera but, if you are close, you won't sacrifice much of the image by leveling it.
A sloping horizon might add drama in foul weather, but in fair weather it will always send the wrong message,
Sep 27, 2015 17:39:11 #
Jay Pat wrote:
I'm not a boat guy...
I think a level horizon is normal. If the boat was leaning, it should look like it was leaning.
Looks like a beautiful area.
#2 for me!
Pat
I think a level horizon is normal. If the boat was leaning, it should look like it was leaning.
Looks like a beautiful area.
#2 for me!
Pat
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Horizons ARE level. Objects floating or standing on the earth tilt many ways. Sailboats heel over (list or lean) but usually sailors work to remain upright as perpendicular to the horizon as they can. That's the defining sailing photo dynamic. Sailors are usually sitting on one cheek at a time.
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