I love when friends post pictures on Facebook and Instagram of their summer adventures but you know what stops me in my tracks and makes me cringe…. wonky HORIZON LINES!!
I know what you must be thinking… oh come on Catherine… how important are horizon lines? Well…check out the 17 images below and hopefully you will see my point!
You’ve probably never thought about horizon lines in your photographs before but I bet after reading these tips you will. In fact, once you learn these tips you will see photographs differently. Next time you look at a picture your friend posts of their family frolicking on the beach you’ll check to see if the horizon line is straight and where the horizon line is positioned.
It can kind of make you crazy…YOU’RE WELCOME!
Thankfully, with digital cameras and iPhones you don’t have to worry about getting a perfectly straight horizon line with each click of the shutter button because it can easily be fixed in post processing. (Directions on how to edit are below).
But wait…There is something else you should know about horizon lines…
Watch where the horizon line hits your subject. Don’t let the horizon line cut your subject between the ears!
The placement of the horizon line running through your subjects head is something you CAN’T easily fix in post processing so take the time to get it right in camera. Also, the proper placement of the horizon line in an image can make a BIG IMPACT and totally change the entire feel of the image.
How to position the horizon line in your photograph…
To adjust the position of the horizon line in your photograph you need to adjust the position from where you are shooting/standing. Do this by squatting down and shooting from a lower position or shooting from a higher position. Do what you need to do to make sure the horizon line isn’t cutting your subject through the head.
When I first started taking portraits on the beach I couldn’t figure out why I didn’t like a photograph when everything in the image seemed perfect but something was still off….it was where the horizon line was hitting my subject.
The GREAT news about shooting from different positions (low or high) is that it will also create more interest in your image so you are accomplishing two things at once. YAY YOU!
There is an exceptions…I like to shoot wide open (more on aperture in a later post). When I shoot at f1.6 the horizon line melts into the background. When you take a picture with an iPhone or shoot higher than f2.8 the horizon line will be more pronounced so be mindful as to where it’s positioned.
I’m a big believer in learning the rules of photography and then breaking them. So… know that it’s totally fine to have a wonky horizon line if you are going for an artistic vibe. BUT… make sure it’s WAY off and not slightly off so everyone will know it’s on purpose.
I hope these tips will make a big impact in your photographs and will give you something to think about the next time you are out shooting.
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How to Straighten a Horizon Line on an iPhone
pull up an image in your photo gallery and click on it to enlarge
click Edit at the top right hand corner
click the crop tool at the bottom near the Done button
move the slider side to side to adjust the horizon line using the grid that is provided
click Done and voila you have taken your photo to the next level
How to Straighten a Horizon Line In Lightroom
Go to the Develop Panel
Underneath the Histogram (on the right side of your screen) click the Crop Overlay tool (it’s a square)
Move the Angle Slider side to side to adjust the horizon line using the overlay grid that is provided
Click Done
*There are other ways to straighten a horizon line in Lightroom but this is a great place to start and is the technique I most often use.
- BEFORE: Horizon line is running through the subjects head.
- AFTER: By squatting down and shooting from a lower position the horizon line is positioned perfectly and makes for a more interesting image.
- BEFORE: The horizon line is running through the top of their heads.
- AFTER: I squatted down a tiny bit more and placed the horizon line above their heads. Tiny adjustments make big impacts in an image.
- This would be a much better image if I shot from a lower position. The horizon line is running through their heads. This is an example of a pronounced horizon line. This was shot at f5.8. See the last 2 images below for a horizon line that melts into the background.
- This is my nephew and he is clearly much taller than me. I was standing straight and this is how the horizon line hit him. This would be a better image if I squatted down or shot from a higher position and ran the horizon line through his shoulders and not his neck. Thank goodness he’s good looking so hopefully no one will notice the horizon line 🙂
- Good example of running the horizon line through the subjects shoulders.
- Horizon line is positioned perfectly through the subjects shoulders. This is also a great image because the horizon line isn’t positioned in the center of the photograph. Always position the horizon line higher or lower than dead center. WOOZA… so much to think about!
- WRONG: Horizon line is crooked and is running through the subjects head.
- WRONG: Horizon line is straight but it’s still running through subjects head.
- Better: This image is better than the previous 2 images because the horizon line is running through her shoulders. However, I think I can do better…
- Better: The horizon line is positioned well but now I’m missing the beautiful clouds.
- Better: This photograph has improved greatly! The horizon line is positioned better and isn’t a distraction.
- BEST: This is by far the most impactful positioning of the subject and the horizon line in this grouping of photographs. Look back at the first image and look at the difference. By squatting lower it created a much more dramatic feel and makes for an all around better image. There is so much to think about BUT… what also makes this a good image is that the horizon line isn’t in the center of the image. There is a tad more sky than sand. Try to position the horizon line a little lower or higher than in the middle of the photograph.
- When photographing a group of people with varying heights you have some decisions to make… you can pull the horizon line above the subjects heads, run the horizon line through the shoulders of the tallest person in the group, or position the horizon line lower than your subjects shoulders or waist.
- ADVANCED TIP: Even though the horizon line is running through the subjects head it’s not distracting and works in this photograph. It works because I shot this at f2.2 so the horizon line melts into the background. When shooting at an aperture higher than f2.8 the horizon line will be more pronounced.

Here is another example where the dunes in the background are running through her head but it works. I shot this at f2.0 so the dunes melt into the background. Shooting wide open is one way to solve harsh horizon lines.
Thanks for the advice. There are a lot of things to think about while framing a subject. I’ll try to remember these hints.
I’m so glad you found these tips helpful! Tiny adjustments can make a BIG IMPACT in a photograph!
Thanks for the tips.
I’ll be sure to follow this great advice for future pics!
So glad you found these tips helpful!
Wow! These tips make a big difference! Thanks!!
Tricia, I am so excited you find these tips useful! Cheers!