Flat Horizons...

recrudesce

recrudesce

Messages
718
Name
Russ
Edit My Images
No
Any idea why i can't take flat horizon pictures ? They're always higher on the right of the picture :(

I'm sure they're straight in the viewfinder.

Any tips ?
 
Higher on the right? maybe as you press down on the shutter you're tilting the camera ever so slightly (Will be certainly noticeable at long focal ranges.)

How much higher are we talking? maybe your sensor is some how not aligned? as images in viewfinder would still look straight as you're just looking at the mirror.
 
If the camera's tripod mounted, use one of those hotshoe mounted spirit levels but check it for accuracy first. An alternative is the Seculine digital level (which is adjustable should the hotshoe be slightly off level) and this can also be used with the camera hand held - the LEDs are visible out of the top of your eye.

Some cameras have grid lines in the viewfinder to help get horizons level but if yours doesn't, you could try using AF area markings to aid levelling.

If all else fails, it's easy enough to straighten horizons in photoshop or similar but if framing is critical for composition, you may want to leave a bit of space to allow for the cropping.
 
a silly idea...but a spirit level will check all this for you once and for all
set up the camera on a tripod and put the level on the hotshoe across the ways
shoot some test pics and analyse
all my shots are crooked but my software provides easy correction to a grid
really this is quite a pedantic way of viewing the shot...unless you are doing architectural work..even then...
 
here we go. i was SURE this was straight in the view finder. it only seems more prevalent in landscape :(

high_horizon.jpg
 
this is not tripod by the way. this is handheld.
 
Hmm, that does seem quite serious?

Worth doing some test shots in your garden with a tripod if you have one.

User error is what it's most likely to be, but if you say you're lining it up in the viewfinder, and are careful about taking the picture it shouldn't be too bad.

Find a fence in your garden, line the 3 AF spots in the viewfinder with the top of the fence and take a picture, see how it turns out.
 
well, that's probably wind related - but i've always noticed that the right side of pictures are slightly higher - does that mean my sensor isn't lined up correctly ?
 
Plonk it on a wall or desk that you know is flat horizontal, hold it there and take a shot of something else thats also horizontal.

If you work in an office then from your desk to the next
 
recrudesce said:
here we go. i was SURE this was straight in the view finder. it only seems more prevalent in landscape :(

high_horizon.jpg
Click to expand...

thats so far out that you must have moved the camera...next time lie down and put a hanky under your camera on a rock...that is solid
then when you push the shutter button hold the camera in a vice like grip..

tweaking this however really cuts to the chase...rotate manually and do it in degrees or use a grid...picassa 2 has one in it
 
If I use a camera hand held, I naturally seem to have a slight tilt. My method is to line up the top of the frame with the horizon then tilt the camera up to the desired position.

If you have grid lines on the focussing screen then it is even easier.


Steve.
 
i guess i got blown about a bit then when taking that :/

if my sensor is out, how do i get it "fixed" ?
 
When you take your photo you need to squeeze the shutter button and not press it
If you hold your body so that you have your finger on the button and your thumb under the body and then you will squeeze so that you get equal presser up as you do down This will keep your camera in the same place and not move down which is what happen when you press the shutter button
Hope this helps
remember right high in photo means the right side of your camera was low.
 
Chaz Photos said:
When you take your photo you need to squeeze the shutter button and not press it
If you hold your body so that you have your finger on the button and your thumb under the body and then you will squeeze so that you get equal presser up as you do down This will keep your camera in the same place and not move down which is what happen when you press the shutter button
Hope this helps
remember right high in photo means the right side of your camera was low.
Click to expand...

that sounds like a completely unnatural way of holding a camera :|
got any pics of that kinda hold ?
 
beanbag and breathe out
 
I don't think correction in Photoshop is a good idea for two reasons:

1. Your image becomes an interpretation of the pixels already there which have already been interpolated from the single colour sensor pixels.

2. When you crop the image to get it square (or rectangular) again, you are throwing some of your resolution away.

Much better to get it right in the camera.


Steve.
 
Why not just use a spirit level on the camera :thinking: But make sure the bubble is properly calibrated :D
 
cant see a spirit level if i'm looking through the viewfinder while hand holding :(
 
recrudesce said:
cant see a spirit level if i'm looking through the viewfinder while hand holding :(
Click to expand...

OK, Can't you use the focus points to line up with the horizon :thinking:
 
yeah i do, but i guess i'm doing something wrong :P
 
worrying about it can detract from the overall concept and stop your creative thoughts with technical fuss potting...like we all do..
it can be corrected...why fuss..just be conscious of the problem and lean the other way..

nearly all my sea shots need correcting...its to do with wind...not flatulence or blabbermouthing...hic!.. and unsteady stance on cliff tops
tripod is the answer and if not then one must suffer the slings and arrows of high horizon...and all the gremlins which creep in as you massage those pixie wixies

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top