Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Leading Lines

by Judy



Leading lines are a very effective compositional tool that draws your viewers attention to a specific part of your photo.  Since our eyes are naturally drawn along lines when we view something, leading lines give the viewer the sense of being in the photo. Our eyes follow lines to a specific subject in the photo, or to a vanishing point in the distance.



When using leading lines as a tool you want to ask yourself, "where do I want my viewers attention directed?"  Leading lines usually begin at the bottom of the frame and guide the eye up and into the photo.


Leading lines in a photo help to connect the foreground to the background and create depth to the photo.  Depth draws viewers in.


Leading lines can be found just about anywhere.  We just need to keep our eyes open.  If we're drawn into a scene in front of us, chances are its the lines in our view that are making us take a second look.


Look for leading lines with fences, roads, pathways, and bridges.  Anything that is in a row creates leading lines too -  Trees, arches, and lamp posts.  Look at the architecture of the buildings surrounding you, and doorways and gateways can create leading lines.  I love to find leading lines in shadows and sun rays, and by following the flow of a stream.


As you can see, leading lines are everywhere and can make for a very interesting photo.  This month our theme is....you guessed it!  Leading Lines!  Take this month to search for lines that will draw your viewers in.  You will be amazed at how many lines you find.  Be sure to post your photos in our flickr group or on our Instagram page.  We look forward to seeing what you've found!  

















5 comments:

terriporter said...

Great examples of leading lines! I'm going to have to keep my eyes open because I tend to crop in to my subjects so closely that there are no leading lines! But I can see from your photos that leading lines definitely draw me into the frame and that is a great thing. So this month I'm going to keep my eyes open and try to capture some!

Focusing on Life said...

I'm with Teri, I like to get up close to my subjects. This will be a great exercise for seeking more of the picture. I love how you've used them in your photos.

Sandra said...

Good photographic ideas for leading lines. I need to look them out more!

Sarah Huizenga said...

I LOVE leading lines!!!!

Dotti said...

Leading lines are such an excellent composition tool - and too often I don't think of them. They're especially helpful in architect and landscape photography. You can bet I'm going to be working to notice leading lines this month and hopefully it will become a habit!

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