One of the reasons for learning rules of composition is that when used effectively those help to create a sense of mood in the mind of the viewer. It is important to learn how to use horizontal lines in photo composition since horizontal lines evoke a feeling of stability or serenity. For that reason, landscapes often use horizontal frames, and in many cases we find horizontal lines repeating within the frame. Sometimes you may want to create a break in the line, especially with your focal point or main subject interest. Otherwise, the picture may turn out to be static and boring.
I went to Sedona, Arizona for a vacation and took an early morning balloon ride. I have never felt as peaceful ever in my life as I did on that balloon ride. This picture is not from that balloon ride, but I can relate to the feeling of serenity evoked by the horizontal lines in the picture. The balloon – which by the way is positioned according to the rule of third – provides the break in the lines and makes the composition successful.
Use of horizontal lines is not limited to landscapes only as you can see in this picture of people climbing steep steps. Here the lines themselves are the content. The people and the rope are making the story complete.
As another example of using horizontal lines consider the pictures below. The waves and the horizons are nice and the person provides the foreground interest and a break in the lines created by the waves. But the horizon is so strong that it is crying for this own break. I inserted a ship on the horizon in the direction in which the person is looking and you can judge which of the pictures is better composed.
