Horizon

[zetson]

I'm not actually asking for critique on this photo specifically, but I wonder about horizons generally.

On this photo there is no clear horizon, only the shoreside on the other side of the fjord. If you look closely, this shore is closer to the camera on the right side than the left. Therefore the horizon looks slanted, even if the real horizon is most likely straight. It I assume that the shoreline is the same distance from the camera from left to right, and adjust the horizon accordingly, the picture looks better, but the real horizon is then incorrect.

What should I do in situations like this?

[Japaslavian]

It's really up to your discretion. If it looks better straightened than I would go ahead and straighten it. The fact of the matter is, that 99.9% of the time for something so subtle like this, if you straighten it, no one will ever know you had done so except yourself. So unless you really feel like you've jeopardized the integrity of the shot by adjusting the horizon, I would fix it.

[Sterling]

IMO, all that matters is how something looks. If it actually looks better if it isn't technically straight then that's all that matters. To hell with those that would take out a ruler to "prove" a horizon crooked.