Photo of the Day
BASE Jumper, Spain
This Month in Photo of the Day: Your Photos With Tips From Photographer Catherine Karnow
This picture captures a BASE jumper’s brief moment of freefall, and the expansive view—the ocean, the city far below, the beaches and shoreline, the mountains behind—puts the viewer into the jumper's experience. The key to this photograph is the tilted horizon, which exaggerates the feeling of vertigo and adds to the sense of disorientation and suspension that the photo creates. A tilted horizon line may break a "rule" of photography, but subject matter—not rules—should determine composition.
There’s another detail I love in this shot—the cropped foot. It’s as if the jumper is safely held in place by the top of the frame. But we know that this is false, that he’s in fact held by nothing.
Photo Tip: Break rules of composition, and don’t be afraid to tilt the horizon when the subject matter calls for it.
See more pictures of extreme sports »
Get more tips on breaking the rules of photography »
Go Further
Animals
- A surprising discovery upends what we know about turtlesA surprising discovery upends what we know about turtles
- Cage-free or free-range? Here’s what those egg labels really meanCage-free or free-range? Here’s what those egg labels really mean
- Captivity can screw up pandas’ internal clocks—here's what that meansCaptivity can screw up pandas’ internal clocks—here's what that means
- Can this controversial approach save the northern white rhino?Can this controversial approach save the northern white rhino?
- This dog can find rare sea turtle nests—shockingly successfullyThis dog can find rare sea turtle nests—shockingly successfully
Environment
- Which cities will still be livable in a world altered by climate change?Which cities will still be livable in a world altered by climate change?
- Hurricanes are escalating more quickly than ever. Here’s why.Hurricanes are escalating more quickly than ever. Here’s why.
- How 200 volunteers pulled off a daunting cave rescueHow 200 volunteers pulled off a daunting cave rescue
- Step inside 3 innovative new workplaces around the globe
- Paid Content for Advertiser
Step inside 3 innovative new workplaces around the globe - Summer storms can strike suddenly. Here’s what causes them.Summer storms can strike suddenly. Here’s what causes them.
- This summer's extreme weather is a sign of things to comeThis summer's extreme weather is a sign of things to come
History & Culture
- What is Oktoberfest—and why is it actually in September?What is Oktoberfest—and why is it actually in September?
- How the world went wild for talking to spirits 100 years agoHow the world went wild for talking to spirits 100 years ago
- Pearl Harbor was the only WWII attack on the U.S., right? Wrong.Pearl Harbor was the only WWII attack on the U.S., right? Wrong.
- Why freakishly large fruits and veggies thrive in AlaskaWhy freakishly large fruits and veggies thrive in Alaska
- Why postpartum depression went untreated for so longWhy postpartum depression went untreated for so long
Science
- Asteroid sample returned to Earth tells of ancient solar systemAsteroid sample returned to Earth tells of ancient solar system
- Explosive images of the sun may help unravel mysteriesExplosive images of the sun may help unravel mysteries
- Do generic drugs work as well as brand name? Here’s what to know.Do generic drugs work as well as brand name? Here’s what to know.
Travel
- Inside the new Japanese island retreat inspired by Zen BuddhismInside the new Japanese island retreat inspired by Zen Buddhism
- How to explore Sri Lanka's highlands on the new Pekoe TrailHow to explore Sri Lanka's highlands on the new Pekoe Trail
- Why road-tripping from Split to Dubrovnik is easier than everWhy road-tripping from Split to Dubrovnik is easier than ever
- Where to eat in Tel Aviv, Israel's multicultural food capitalWhere to eat in Tel Aviv, Israel's multicultural food capital
