LINES Photography II
Lines Lines play an important role in composition. Lines can be actual lines from a road or fence, or from an arrangement of objects. We will explore four types of lines that we will be integrated into your photography: Diagonal Lines Leading Lines Curved Lines Geometric Lines
Diagonal Lines Diagonal lines generally work well to draw the eye of an image s viewer through the photograph. They create points of interest as they intersect with other lines and often give images depth by suggesting perspective. They can also add a sense of action to an image and add a dynamic looks and feel.
Diagonal Lines Different studies have been done into how people view images and many of them say that a natural way into an image is by traveling left to right and so a diagonal line starting at the bottom left and moving to the top right of an image can be quite useful and natural.
Diagonal Lines Also rather than making a line go from the very corner to the opposite corner it s often good to make them off center and go to either side of corners.
Diagonal Lines Keep in mind that numerous diagonal lines leading in different directions and intersecting with one another can add a sense of action to your photo but adding too many diagonal lines might make it chaotic and confusing. Diagonal lines that are repeated through out an image can create very effective patterns that can easily become the subject of a photograph themselves.
Leading Lines These are lines made by a component of our photograph that draws ones eyes into the photograph and off toward the center of interest. Lines in a picture should lead into, not out of, the picture, and they should lead your eye toward the main subject. Sometimes it is a matter of choosing the right angle or point of view to make leading lines lead into the picture.
Leading Lines A brick sidewalk leads through a corridor of trees to the front of a plantation.
Curved Lines Curved lines add aesthetic appeal to photographs. One of the most common and graceful lines used in composition is called the S- curve. S-curves in nature include winding rivers, curled tree branches, sinuous vines, swirling clouds, and slithering snakes.
Curved Lines The arch to the dominos creates a curve that is softened with a small depth of field which draws our eyes to the thirds line.
Geometric Lines Simple geometric shapes can be created through the arrangement of subjects when composing a photograph. Consideration of geometric shapes can add strong visual imagery to your photograph. Consider your basic geometric shapes such as lines, squares, triangles, and circles when developing your artistic eye.
Geometric Lines The arrangement of the hooks in this photograph geometrically create a line.
Geometric Lines The pains of the window create several repeating squares in this photograph.
Geometric Lines The placement of all the chairs, consideration of the camera angle, and the placement of our subject all help to compose our photograph that mimics the geometric shape of a triangle.
Diagonal, Leading, Curved, or Geometric Lines? Curved
Diagonal, Leading, Curved, or Geometric Lines? Leading
Diagonal, Leading, Curved, or Geometric Lines? Diagonal
Diagonal, Leading, Curved, or Geometric Lines? Curved
Diagonal, Leading, Curved, or Geometric Lines? Diagonal
Diagonal, Leading, Curved, or Geometric Lines? Leading
Diagonal, Leading, Curved, or Geometric Lines? Curved
Diagonal, Leading, Curved, or Geometric Lines? Leading
Diagonal, Leading, Curved, or Geometric Lines? Diagonal
Lines - REVIEW In review, when can incorporate lines in our photographs to add interest and excitement to our photographs. Consider how diagonal, leading, curved, and geometric lines can be incorporated in your photographs.
Where do we go from here? You will be expected to capture a variety of twelve photographs that demonstrate your ability to incorporate lines into your photography. Of these ten, four enlargements will made. Each enlargement will be used to illustrate your understanding of diagonal, leading, curved, and geometric lines. The final enlargement will need to demonstrate your overall understanding of subject placement (rule of thirds), simplicity, balance, and mergers while introducing the use of lines.
Final Thoughts The camera can photograph thought. Dirk Bogarde