Exercise eighteen: Horizontal and vertical lines

Horizontal and vertical lines each possess different qualities. Horizontal lines imply stability which can be in contrast to the strength and power that vertical lines bring to an image.

The brief was to find 4 examples of each.

Horizontal

50mm, 1/1600 secs, f/8, ISO 400

The horizontals of the zebra crossing form a foundation for the rest of the image, and even though there are as many verticals, it's the pattern of the bold horizontals that the eye is drawn to.

45mm, 1/100 secs, f/9, ISO 400

I captured a sequence of these images containing none to a dozen or so pigeons but having just 2 or 3 on the scene added interest yet didn't distract from the horizontals of the bench.  In fact, the horizontals of the bench draw out the horizontals of the sweet shop above - lines that you may otherwise fail to notice.

55mm, 1/50 secs, f/8, ISO 800

I like the sense of diminishing space that the two sets of horizontal lines imply (above and below) - seemingly squashing the car in the distance. A vertical frame accentuates this even further.

55mm, 1/125 secs, f/8, ISO 400

Both a vertical or horizontal frame resulted in 'dead' space, whereas this square crop works much better. This image also demonstrates how quickly the eye spots that the lines aren't level.

Vertical

55mm, 1/400 secs, f/4.5, ISO 200

The verticals in this scene give a sense of height, all the more so with a slightly narrowed crop. I was originally drawn to the bright blue of the drain pipes but in black and white it's the post of the road sign that's more prominent.

20mm, 1/100 secs, f/9, ISO 400

A simple scene made more interesting by the small door on the right which provides a couple of bolder verticals on either side of it. The door also gives an indication of scale that would otherwise be missing.

45mm, 1/80 secs, f/5.6, ISO 200

If it wasn't for the bins overflowing this scene may have appeared as a series of horizontals. The open lids give height which add to the sense of verticals. The horizontals of the road markings, kerb and bottoms of the bins give the image a strong platform.

200mm, 1/60 sec, f/9, ISO 400

The people at the bus stop make for strong verticals, with further vertical lines in the background. There's a nice uniformity with everyone facing in the same direction.