It’s no secret that straightening the horizon on your image can really improve its composition and appeal. But how do you get it exactly straight? I do it with Photoshop or Lightroom. (CS3 and v.1.4, I have yet to update).
So here’s how I do it with Photoshop:
Step 1: Open in Photoshop
I took this on a hike at Morraine Lake in Banff Calgary but I didn’t use a tripod so its slightly crooked. Not a big deal, just a little distracting. Nothing a little Photoshop can’t fix ;) So open up that baby and let’s get started! BTW, that blue line is just there to show how crooked the photo is.
Step 2: Duplicate layer
First things first, duplicate your background layer (cmd+j or ctrl+j) so in case something goes wrong you still have your original image.
Step 3: Lens Correction
Next, go to Filter > Distort > Lens Correction…
Step 4: Zoom Way In
In the Lens Correction dialog box double click the Zoom Tool to zoom into your image 100%. Zoom into your crooked horizon.
Step 5: Straighten
Select your Straighten Tool.
Step 6: Umm... straightening...
Take the straighten tool and draw over (trace) any part of the horizon that should be straight.
Step 7: Boom! You
And boom! you’re done.
Morraine Lake by Jack Kaye
The process is more or less the same in Lightroom. You can find the straightening tool in the crop menu. :)
-Jack Kaye
