Project: Lines - Exercise: Horizontal and vertical lines.

The aim of this exercise was to find different ways in which horizontal and vertical lines appear both to the eye and the camera. I have photographed four horizontal and four vertical examples that I feel really demonstrate the lines well.

Horizontal.

For the horizontal shots I immediately thought of:

• the horizon
• rows of items
• cladding on a building

This view is not something I would normally photograph, but on such a bright sunny day, I liked how there is a definite horizontal line dividing the frame. I do find the composition very dull and static.

I was driving past this house and was immediately struck by the repetition of horizontal lines created by the cladding. I unfortunately did not have my tripod with me so the lines have a blurred effect caused by my very unsteady hands!

The horizontal lines here have been created by the different colours of the tulips. This is a photo I had previously taken and thought it would illustrate horizontal really well.

Unfortunately I have not quite got the lines of the building parallel with the frame which does detract from the point slightly. I came across this building at the local train station, not only does it have horizontal lines of the cladding but also the windows all in a row at the same distance from the camera.

Vertical.

For the vertical shots I had thought of;

• people
• trees
• buildings
• road of alley way

I actually came across this flag pole in someones garden. So unfortunately I was unable to get the angle I really wanted to emphasise vertical but I feel it still shows the line well. I took this on the first typically October day, after all the sunshine we have been having, and I think that the dark grey clouds add some atmosphere and movement to the image.

Vertical lines are shown twice here. Once with the overall shape of the tree. I have taken the photo close to the base of the trunk to emphasise the height and vertical lines. Vertical is shown again with the rough lines of the bark.

The vertical line of the standing figure is mirrored in the vertical line of the tree behind.

This image of the giraffe has obviously been cropped as unfortunately with Woburn Safari Park it is impossible to take photos of the animals without getting a car in the shot. I have previously taken this picture on a day out, but halfway through completely this exercise I thought it would be perfect to illustrate vertical lines.

Conclusion.

Whilst working on the exercise I realised that when photographing horizontal lines I held the camera horizontally and chose vertical framing for photographs for the vertical lines section. I feel that this does work best as it emphasises the movement within the frame and can really make a big difference.

This exercise made me continuously look for suitable subjects, and it is just as well I always have my camera with me. I am starting to think that I should always also have my tripod in the car to eliminate camera shake in some of my shots.