Earth's Curvature, a photo from Reykjavik, Reykjavik

Photographer's Note

This is my second posting of the city of Reykjavik as seen in the low light of late November from the viewing deck which is within the steeple of Hallgrim's Church.

At the time I took this photo I did not realise I was looking at the earth's curvature. It was only when I considered posting this photo and I checked the horizon that it became apparent.

I have since seen several other photos of this view looking towards the harbour and beyond to Faxa Bay and they all show the earth's curvature. I am including a link to one in TE just to show I did not use a lens correction filter in photoshop.

I am wondering if there are any other buildings in Scandanavia, Russia, Alaska, Canada or Greenland from where it is possible to see the earth's curvature?.

PS. I have had several critiques saying the curved horizon was caused by a wide angle lens. I have now supplied all the details as this photo was taken with a simple point and shoot Fuji camera. I am providing a second link on TE showing the same effect.

PPS. I am providing a 3rd link to an article supporting my claim. I stand to be corrected.

ManuMay, rjb874, ktanska, windosil, Longroute, shevchenko, jalab_temen, bukitgolfb301, holmertz, Kielia trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

ManuMay (36447) 2009-04-20 23:37

Hi Marlene!!

I don´t know if this is really due to Earth´s curvature, but anyway its effect it is really good and same!!

I like you particular point of view and the play of colour tones and lines...

Very good capture!!!

Have a nice day.

Best regards

Manuel.

ktanska (44438) 2009-04-20 23:59

Hi Marlene,
Beautiful viewpoint above this viewpoint. Direction of sunlight is optimal showing all the wooden houses in many colours. View to horizon is well placed on the top edge.
I think most of the curvature is lens distortion. I tried to calculate how much earth curvature it would be possible to see, but my high school math seems to be a bit rusty.
Kari

wolf38 (30) 2009-04-20 23:59

Hello Marlene. By the skillful POV the photo is a eyecatcher. The middle road runs like an axle up to the port. The alive colors - above all red and blue - work in the best way. The photo pleases me very well, - likewise the text. Best regards, Wolfgang.

Guto (1738) 2009-04-21 0:12

It's a very interesting urban view. I like all those roofs, with different colours.

But I agree with previous posts. This curve is just a distortion provided by wide angle lens. I also have some posts here in TE that shows this kind of curve and all of them were taken with wide angle lens (or wideconverters, using my previous camera). This piece of land (or sea) showed in your picture is a minimal part of the whole Earth, I bet that it couldn't be so curved at this single point.

PixelTerror (0) 2009-04-21 0:23

Hi Marlene,
I also believe it's due to the lens, but anyway it's nice to see a picture of Reykjavik under this nice low sun
Have a nice day JY

rodgerg (55767) 2009-04-21 1:12

Hello Marlene,

a very good city's view with a great prospect. The way in the middle invite to discovrey the image. this image is rich in various details and colours well collected. Plesanta game of shade and light too.
Best regards,
Roger

windosil (1158) 2009-04-21 16:25

Hallo. Marlene,
Lovely light and shadows on these colourful buildings. The bare trees show up well, too.
Many thanks for the curvature record - I can believe it.
Best wishes,
Winifred

Disabled_A (0) 2009-04-21 22:56

Hello Marlene,
you've done much work! It was very interesting to read the Note to the photo. I have taken many photos of the Earth through airplane windows when flying, and I am bad at Maths and Geography, and I doubt it is lens distortion... so I prefer to think you are right: there is certain natural curvature, and it proves that the Earth is round ;) The causes of this effect may be different, but it's the final fact which we have to deal with :)
I have looked at the photos links to which you provided, and once again I made sure that each photographer takes photos of the same place differently: there are no two absolutely identical photos, and each one is unique!
I also like the warmth of this photo :)
Kind regards,
Elena

Longroute (19600) 2009-04-22 3:46

Hello Marlene,
I appreciate a lot your posting pictures of this far out place.
Your photo is both lovely and very informative and taken with a fine light which enhanced those bright colours. when I'm travelling I like to climb to high spots to have an eagle eye sight of the city and your photo satisfy this curiosity of mine.
All the best,
Donato

shevchenko (20560) 2009-04-22 22:17

Hi Marlene,
Nice to see this city again in a different pov, this pov is good to show a straight road at the middle connect to the beach, I like the horizon line in the depth too, good shoot.
Ally

jalab_temen (2193) 2009-04-23 7:32

Dear Marlene, I love the tough compo of this colorful photo. The bluish patches of walls in shadow and sea make this photo almost more interesting than the place itself. Thank you for sharing, Jalab
PS.: I added it to my 'Cell-to-cell cities' theme.

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2009-04-23 16:25

Hello my dear Marlene

Great landscape photo. Very vivid color and nice perspective expression. I do not beleive f4 has such deep exposure.
Anyway congratulation on your great job !

Best regards

Takero

dvlazar (6662) 2009-04-23 17:21

Its a really nice shot and full or detail and colour. I'll believe you in regards to the curvature issue - you seem to have researched it well and i have no evidence to the contrary! I wonder if it was noticeable at the time, or only obvious through the photograph.

Dave

holmertz (101890) 2009-04-24 10:55

Hello Marlene,
Before reading the discussion about lens distortions etc, I meant to crack a little joke about correcting the earth with some tool you could download for free. Actually, I had the impression that anyone could easily see the earth's curvature when watching the horizon of the wide open ocean. I have done that several times.
Anyway, this is another splendid view of the world's northernmost capital city (I guess it is) with its mixture of small town/big city architecture and street life.
Regards,
Gert

boa (8039) 2009-04-24 13:39

Hi Marlene,
I have read the posts with interest, and I´m not sure. I`m working on a oilplatform at the Northsea where there is no land in sight. If you take a view on a horizontal reference point and look out over the sea, I can see just little that the horizon is curved. In this case..well I´m not sure, but it`s definitely more visible here.
Oh.. I forgot the picture hehe.. I like the composition of the street, that that leads the eyes into the sea. I like your Pov too and the light on this small Capital. Very well done, Tfs !
Best regards
Boa

Kielia (24077) 2009-05-02 11:00

Hi Marlene,
it is not only the beauty of this image, it is your discussion with Kari that makes it an exciting document! A wonderful contribution in the best spirit of TE! Congratulation!
Warm regards
Harriet

foozi (7101) 2009-07-03 6:55

Hi Marlene,
a very beautiful capture of the town. It looks like a toy town, rich in colors and exciting in its colours and plan.
Very brilliant work and you have discovered the best poit ever to depict this place.

regards,
Foozi

macjake (98260) 2009-10-05 1:54

Hi Marlene

I've always wanted to travel to Iceland.
You've captured a fantastic panoramic of the city life, with lots of virbrant colours.
and yes, the curvature is unique and rarely seen, great work
Craig