LINES
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Lines are the most basic (but not the most simple!)
of the 11 Foundations of Photographic Art in Composition (FPACs)
A line is the strongest and most important and influential foundation. Without lines there can be no shape. Without shape there can be no form. Without form there can be no texture and there can be no pattern. Lines are powerful tools that can be used smartly to lead the viewers eyes towards the point of interest in a photograph these are called leading lines. Lines can also alter the overall feeling/mood of an image.
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Why Are Lines So Important?
Our eyes are naturally drawn to lines, from an early age we're told to follow paths. A well-executed shot with a strong leading line should appeal to even the most uninterested viewer. Throughout life, we're told to explore, make journeys, follow paths, "ride it out", "see it through to the end" or "go with the flow." These are analogies for being led through life.
Line use allows photographers to showcase the reason for the image. They're like a giant flashing arrow that tells even the uneducated viewer where to look. Drawing the viewer in like an outstretched hand that says "Come on, follow me, and I'll take you there.“
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Types of Lines
Lines can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curved, organic, or implied. Lines can be short or long, thick or thin. Lines can lead you away, or move you forward in an image. A line's emotional effect on an image cannot be overlooked. They sometimes feel restful, soothing, rigid, active, guiding, or threatening. Thin lines can be experienced by some as unstable, and by others as vulnerable.
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Thick lines can be experienced as rigid and dependent, or can be experienced as dominating or stern. Curved lines are perceived as soft, soothing, settling & relaxing.
Jagged lines can be perceived as forceful, chaotic, sharp, and threatening.
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Organic lines are shown in this picture because lines are created in the dirt by the tread-marks and also the lines of the grapevines...but this image also has excellent vertical lines as well as implied lines in the sky with the transitions between colors from blue to apricot. The rows of grapevines and dirt act as leading lines to take you into the image...
This image has implied lines located in the contrast between the green-blue water and the concrete pillars that actually create triangles, as well as implied lines created by the shadows of the pillars in the water...it also has horizontal lines, vertical lines, organic lines AND leading lines all contained in it too...this image is nothing but lines!
This image shows horizontal lines...it also has diagonal lines, vertical lines, and organic lines as well. The line on the horizon and the diagonal line of the pier hand rail are excellent leading lines to take you into the image...
This image shows vertical lines...it also has organic lines, jagged and curved lines, and implied lines as well. The lighter colors in the rocks are leading lines that to take you into the image...
This image shows diagonal lines on the edges of the dock...but is also has vertical and horizontal lines as well as organic and implied lines...plus, the diagonal lines in this image act as excellent leading lines to take you into the image...
This image shows exceptional use of leading lines to take you into the image...there are two different sets: the curvy organic line of the cracked sandstone in the foreground takes you into the middle of the image; and the lighter implied line in the clouds that points right to the tree in the image.
This image above has great horizontal and diagonal lines, and the wooden boardwalk serves as a
perfect leading line to take you on a voyage into the image from the foreground to the lighthouse
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Lines: Leading The Way In Landscapes
Every artist starts with a message. Every landscape photographer starts with a natural scene. We translate what we see, into a visual path that the eye can follow. We illustrate this journey through allowing the featured shapes, textures, tones and lines to tell our story. We tell the viewer what to focus on, and they make their own connection.
Drawing you in is the essential function of a Leading Line, an outstretched hand that says "Come on, follow me, and I'll take you there.“
What Is A Leading Line?
Leading Lines are one of the most powerful elements in photography, they harness so much energy and make us want to explore the scene. When used well, they create compelling images with strong visual impact. They help draw the eye to the "hero" element - that main subject that is the narrator of your story. Put simply, your leading line is a path from the foreground into the background that ties all the elements in your image, together.
The strongest composition is achieved when the lines direct your eye towards the main subject or focal point within the scene. Several leading lines can be harnessed to strengthen and reinforce perspective inside an image. Many images of architecture have converging lines that come in from all angles to give the feeling of space and form. For example; A hiking trail weaving up a hill, A jetty disappearing into the sunset, A bridge with a train with light trails, a row of trees with a building at the end, A fallen tree that leads to a cluster of upright trees. An illuminated path leading to a single doorway, The shore of a lake, weaving a path to the mountains. Like all rules in photography, there are some exceptions. If there is no Hero waiting at the end of a leading line, your image can still have enough impact to win the viewer over. Alternatively, the lines may be so strong that they become the main focal point of the image, such as those seen in urban environments.
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This image above uses vertical lines to create a cool rhythm with the pathway
between the bamboo being a perfect leading line to help you take a voyage into the image...
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What Makes A Good Leading Line?
Think of your eye like a slot-car on a slot-car track. Your leading line is the straight rail and obstructions are tight corners or a lack of momentum. Using this analogy, I can explain that the least resistance is the key to a powerful composition. The more elements that distract the smooth travel of the eye, the more confused the viewer will be. This is why simple scenes often win the hearts of audiences. Almost anything can be used as a leading line. Only your imagination will set the limits.
The most classic example of a leading line is a road with lines. The white lines are a contrast against the black tarmac and thus serves as an excellent example. The emotional connection that a viewer makes to a road is that of mystery, intrigue and discovery; where does the road lead to; what’s around the bend?! A bridge will also make for a strong leading line, and there are different ways to capture it. Shoot it from ground level, so it makes a horizontal leading line across your image. And if there are not too many distractions on the bridge, such as traffic or bulky bridge abutments that will break the leading line, the most obvious choice would be to capture it standing in the middle of the road on the bridge (as long as there’s no traffic about!).
When you’re capturing landscapes, try to find leading lines that wind through the scene. It could be a row of trees or telegraph poles. Anything that draws your eye through the scene will work. If you end up in a forest, it can be hard to compose an image due to the repeating patterns that the trees create. Look for a path or a fallen tree that can serve as a leading line trough the trees.
Any line that breaks a pattern in the scene will work well. Once you start looking, you’ll find many objects that you can use as a leading line in almost any scene. Ultimately, as the creator, you are showing your vision. You are showing us your world and how you see it. As with all the elements at our disposal, you do not have to stick to a set of rules, but they definitely help.
This image has great use of vertical lines of the bamboo itself, and to some extent, its use of horizontal lines with the joints in the bamboo
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This image has a very bright and colorful leading line to help guide you into the image: the rainbow...and it comes in nicely as a curved leading line from the left corner of the image
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