How do I go straight?

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BenV
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p.1 #1 · How do I go straight?

Basically, I have a cheap tripod (cheap meaning it was given to me, is about 20 years old, and doesn't have a level) which I rather enjoy. The problem is, when I take my photographs, the horizon is never straight. I get it close, but not perfect. It only gets harder to get a level horizon when the sun starts to set, as the viewfinder on the D70 isn't the greatest. Are there any tips anybody can give me? Or even any software or plugins or tricks on Photoshop to correct this?

Heres a few examples of what I mean, these (imo) are the best photos taken with my D70 since last friday (when I got it)

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Oct 14, 2008 at 10:55 PM

finnianp
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p.1 #2 · How do I go straight?

There should be a leveling tool in your Raw converter, but you can do the same thing in photoshop with a few more steps.

1) Use the ruler tool to draw a line along the horizon.

2) Look under Image > Rotate Canvas for 'Arbitrary' and hit OK in the pop up.

Oct 14, 2008 at 11:04 PM

Ben Horne
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p.1 #3 · How do I go straight?

Finnianp's solution is what I do. Sometimes if the horizon is WAY off, I will select just the horizon, and level it, then use the clone tool to repair any evidence of the edit. This way, I do not have to throw out a lot of pixels by rotating the canvas, and cropping it true.

You can save yourself a lot of work if you use a hotshoe level when you take the photos. This of course is if you're working on a tripod.

Oct 14, 2008 at 11:21 PM

cwebster
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p.1 #4 · How do I go straight?

I use the AutoFocus marks in the viewfinder to get close to level, then fix it in post processing.

<Chas>

Oct 14, 2008 at 11:23 PM

BenV
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p.1 #5 · How do I go straight?

thanks for all the replys everybody! very helpful!

Oct 15, 2008 at 12:18 AM

Grieverlust
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p.1 #6 · How do I go straight?

You can also get a grid focusing screen for your camera and have another thing to measurebate against when in camera. I think one of the d70's I own actually has a sensor that has a 2 degree tilt clockwise. So no matter how level level is the camera and tripod are it was unlevel. It took me about a year to realize this and start compensating for it.

Might be worth getting a level for your hotshoe ( small little bubble ) to see where the breakdown is.

There certainly are less expensive ones but you get the idea...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/263729-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_337_337_Flash_Hot_Shoe.html

Oct 15, 2008 at 12:32 AM

Marc Kurth
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p.1 #7 · How do I go straight?

Turn on the grid lines in the viewfinder. You can easily see when the horizon is level.

Marc

Oct 15, 2008 at 12:34 AM

JimFox
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p.1 #8 · How do I go straight?

Hey Ben,

Yep, easiest way is as Marc said, just turn on those old grid lines. I would suggest anyone shooting with the Nikon series of camera's to do that. It's been a cool feature in them for many a year!

Jim

Oct 15, 2008 at 12:38 AM

BenV
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p.1 #9 · How do I go straight?

Marc Kurth wrote:
Turn on the grid lines in the viewfinder. You can easily see when the horizon is level.

Marc

I've been using the grid lines, but even when it seems level, its slightly off. Which bugs the stink out of me.

Oct 15, 2008 at 03:12 AM

Steven Everitt
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p.1 #10 · How do I go straight?

Buy a Hot Shoe Spirit Level

Oct 15, 2008 at 01:08 PM

Chefdaniel
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p.1 #11 · How do I go straight?

Oct 15, 2008 at 01:26 PM

Marcel VanEerd
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p.1 #12 · How do I go straight?

If you don't want to do it in post, go d-i-y style and fasten a cheap 6" level to your tripod head.

Oct 15, 2008 at 01:30 PM

BenV
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p.1 #13 · How do I go straight?

Chefdaniel wrote:
The reel problem is distortion you can always crop to straighten.

ya, I know shooting with my sigma 10-20 I will have distortion problems, but that doesnt bug me as much as not having a level horizon.

Oct 15, 2008 at 04:18 PM

night86mare
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p.1 #14 · How do I go straight?

Either use a spirit level, or zoom in first. If you are shooting at widest, make sure horizon is straight by using lines as guide, then zoom out.

In any case, distortion is just as disorientating as a non-level horizon. If you understand how it works, it will probably help. Right now your horizons are seriously curved.

Personally, so long as it isn't too slanted, I would concentrate on getting the composition right, since you can always correct it later in post. It is rare that your composition will be hindered in any case, since most viewfinders have a less than 100% coverage (meaning you will have some allowance for slight cropping to get what you really want).

Oct 15, 2008 at 04:27 PM


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