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How to Use Leading Lines for Better Compositions

29 Nov

The post How to Use Leading Lines for Better Compositions appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Anne McKinnell.

Leading lines refer to a compositional technique where the viewer’s attention is drawn to lines that lead to the main subject of the image. A leading line paves an easy path for the eye to follow through different elements of a photo.

Usually, these lines start at the bottom of the frame and guide the eye upward and inward, from the foreground of the image to the background, typically leading toward the main subject.

Where can you find leading lines?

The easiest place to find a leading line is on a road. Roadways are inherently leading because they go somewhere, giving us a feeling of motion. The lines often point so far inward that they reach a vanishing point – the place where two or more lines converge at theoretical infinity.

Leading Lines: Avenue of Oaks, South Carolina, by Anne McKinnell — The leading lines of the road converge to create a sense of infinity.

When leading lines, such as roads, connect the foreground to the background of a scene, they help create depth and dimensionality, which draws the viewer into the image.

Leading lines are all around us in cities and in nature. Your job, as the photographer, is to find them and arrange them in your photograph so that they lead toward something, even if that something is infinity.

Leading Lines: Sunset at Ross Bay, Victoria, British Columbia, by Anne McKinnell — The logs on the beach draw the viewer’s eye into the frame and lead up to the house.

When you’re setting up a shot, take a moment to examine the scene for its prominent lines. Clear your mind, relax your eyes, and notice where you’re naturally drawn to.

Pay special attention to human-made objects such as:

roads
fences
boardwalks
bridges
bricks
anything in a row, such as lamp posts
buildings
doorways
window panes

In nature, pay particular attention to:

rivers
shorelines
waves
sand dunes
trees
tall grass
cliffs
rocks
sunrays

Leading Lines: Boquillas Canyon by Anne McKinnell — The soft leading line of the river’s edge creates depth in the image.

What’s the best way to use leading lines?

Once you’ve identified your strongest lines, consider how you can use them to enhance your composition.

Depending on your intention, you might:

Create depth and perspective by positioning a strong line leading from the foreground to the background
Create a visual journey from one part of your image to another
Place your subject where the lines converge to give the subject more importance in the frame and draw the viewer’s attention directly to it
Make a cyclical composition, with the lines leading the eye in a circular motion and never out of the frame

Arranging the elements in the frame may involve the use of different lenses to change perspective. However, you can accomplish this simply by moving yourself so that the point of view you choose is purposeful.

Leading Lines: Japanese Garden by Anne McKinnell — The leading line of the path takes the eye directly to the maple tree.

How to use leading lines for better compositions: final words

Leading lines are the key compositional element that carries our eye through the photograph. They can be used to tell a story, to place emphasis, and to draw a connection between two objects.

Use leading lines creatively and with expressive purpose to help you tell your unique photographic tale.

The post How to Use Leading Lines for Better Compositions appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Anne McKinnell.

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Compare leading 1″ sensor compacts with our studio scene comparison tool

27 Sep

The current crop of 1″ sensor compacts offer varied lens ranges and a suite of attractive features fit for an unobtrusive, carry-everywhere camera. We’ve just added the Canon G7 X Mark III to our studio test scene comparison, making possible to compare the likes of Sony’s latest RX100-series cameras against Canon’s latest entries in the advanced compact market. See for yourself how they stack up against each other.

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Note: As of September 26th 2019 the skintone targets in our test scene have been removed and replaced temporarily by fresh prints drawn from our archive. Of the four cameras in this widget, only the Canon G7 X Mark III was shot after this change. As such, these targets should provide an accurate way of assessing the G7 X III’s color response, but should not be used to compare it against previously-tested cameras. This is an interim measure, and we’re working on a permanent solution.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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5 Simple Techniques for Leading the Viewer’s Eye in Your Images

16 Feb

As photographers, it’s easy for us to make conscious composition choices that allow us to balance our photographs or to create harmony within them. It’s is more difficult however to try and lead viewers through your photographs. We rarely consider how to influence the viewers of our photographs. When composing images, we don’t think about the different elements in our images and the order by which we want viewers to see those elements.

This is a common tactic in classic painting, but not used readily by photographers. The reality is it’s hard to influence viewers and to dictate the ways in which they view our photographs.

The lines of the creek lead the viewer’s eye through and into the image.

In many cases, the subject matter we are shooting just happens too fast for us to consciously compose images with the intention of leading the viewer through our photographs. It’s much easier to lead the eye through images we construct like still life or landscape photos. In the case of sports photography, this would only happen by sheer luck or happy accident. But when you have the opportunity, think about using techniques that lead viewers to specific parts of your images.

#1 – Use a brightness gradient

One of my favorite techniques for leading the eye is to use a brightness gradient. The human eye is drawn to the brighter elements, and if you position an area of brightness within your image, the eye will be drawn to that location.

It is important, however, to remember that the key to this technique is to use a gradient of brightness. Small bright areas amidst darker tones will not achieve the same kind of effect. The idea is to make the progression of highlights subtle, like a path through your image. Of course, this technique will not be possible in all situations but if it’s available considering using this method.

5 Simple Techniques for Leading the Viewer's Eye in Your Images

Shot from a kayak during sunrise I wasn’t intending to shoot this image with a brightness gradient. Instead, it’s a happy accident.

#2 – Linear perspective

When using a wide angle lens, you can consciously create linear perspective within images. This technique might be one of the more easily attainable methods of leading the eye. The wide angle lens will exaggerate lines and lead the eye fairly directly through the photograph. You can compose your photographs in such a way that buildings or other architectural features draw viewers through your photograph.

The line of lights and the line of buildings lead the eye through the photo. The viewer should be stopped by the bright spots of light within the image but then continue on through the rest of the photograph.

I’ve added some arrows to this image so you can see how the lines of the pier point the viewer into the photograph. The teenager in the image is a second way of directing the eye as he stops to view the sunset.

#3 – Use shafts of light

Using shafts of light is another technique for pointing viewers in the right direction. The conditions are very specific, and shafts of light are not always readily available, but they can be a useful tool for pointing out specific directions or objects within a photograph.

The photograph below was taken by my son. His plan when composing was to have the ray of light point towards the people. I must admit I didn’t think of composing in such a manner and when I asked him later he said it was “the natural choice”. Since that time I’ve made conscious decisions to look for and incorporate rays of light into my images.

There’s a fairly strong lens flare in this image but my son made a conscious choice in how he composed his photograph and I’m proud of him for his decisions.

#4 – Use a blur gradient

Using a blur gradient (shallow depth of field) is another method of leading the eye. I will admit that I don’t use this technique much. I even struggled to find images to use as examples for the article. Part of my reasoning is that I hope I will now be forced to experiment more with this technique.

Using a focus gradient can lead the eye to the important elements of the photograph. Setting up a shot in which the foreground is blurred and slowly recedes through the image to the point of sharp focus will draw viewers to specific objects within the frame.

I used a fairly large aperture here and while the blur gradient isn’t as obvious it is still present in the image.

#5 – Use more than one technique

You can also combine these techniques to help influence eye movement throughout your images. In these two images, the eye moves through the image the light gradient is the most obvious technique but lines of architecture within the building help to draw the viewer down the tunnel. The lights hanging at the top of the image are an obvious line that directs the eye.

Similarly, this image of the couple walking through the image adds to the movement within the photograph. The lines of the path reinforce the direction the viewer should take within the image.

Shot at a provincial park this image combines elements like linear perspective and vectors.

Conclusion

Leading the eye through a photograph is not an exact science. You can’t force viewers to follow the path you set for them. Each person approaches the artwork in different ways. If your use some of the techniques outlined here, it will help you to create compelling compositions. The more thought and purpose we put into creating our images the better they will be. While there may not always be time to use these techniques, it’s always handy to keep them in the back of your mind and use them when the time is right.

The more thought and purpose you put into creating your images the better they will be. While there may not always be time to use these techniques, it’s handy to keep them in the back of your mind and use them when the time is right.

The eye-leading techniques used in this image are a little harder to spot. I used the lines of the barrels and rays of light to direct the viewer’s eye into the center of the image.

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The post 5 Simple Techniques for Leading the Viewer’s Eye in Your Images by Erin Fitzgibbon appeared first on Digital Photography School.

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How to Use Leading Lines Effectively in Landscape Photography

15 Mar

Leading lines composition technique is the easiest to understand and apply in landscape photography.

In fact, we compose some photographs using leading lines unknowingly! You may have done that too, it comes to us naturally. Let me show you, using an example.

Imagine you are driving through a forest, and you see beautiful line of trees on either side of the road. The autumn leaves are so breathtakingly colorful, that you couldn’t help but pull your car to a side. You want to capture that beautiful moment in your camera. Now…how would you photograph it?

Would you stand parallel to the road and just take trees on one side of the road, or would you consider taking a photograph standing right in the middle of the road, with trees on either side?

01 Leading Lines Composition Techniques Landscape Photography by Prathap Skyline Drive

Invariably, you would likely consider the latter approach. Right? Of course, you don’t want to stand in the middle of a busy road, just be careful when you do it. Don’t hang me for this idea.

When you photograph the road running from the bottom, to the center of the image, you are using the leading lines composition technique, and the road serves as the line.

Leading Lines

Simply put, a leading line is a one that leads you from one point to another in your image. Our eyes naturally follow the line unconsciously.

Check it out now. Your eye will invariably follow the line from left to right (or right to left). Look at the examples below. Your eye connects the dot subconsciously. You make a line, a triangle, and a square! That’s the power of the line.

This very nature of ours is exploited in photography, by composing an image using leading lines. By using this technique, you can force the viewer to follow the line, taking them on a visual journey. The journey becomes more interesting when you have some high drama surrounding the line.

08 Leading Lines Composition Techniques Landscape Photography by Prathap Swiss Alps

It is one of the simplest, and most powerful composition techniques used in the landscape photography. Landscape photographers always look for leading lines in nature, to create a sense of depth in the image, and also to lead the viewer to the main subject of interest.

The idea is to lead the viewer into the scene with the help of literal, or imaginary/implied lines, in the scene. The photograph becomes much more interesting when this line leads the viewer to the main subject of interest, or an anchor point.

Some of the important aspects of using leading lines in composition are:

Leads the viewer into the photograph.
Leads the viewer from one point to another.
Leads the viewer to the main subject of interest.
Creates the illusion of depth, that is much needed in landscape photographs.

You can make most the compelling landscape photographs, by combining leading line composition technique, with the Rule of Thirds. Below is one such example where I have used leading lines to guide the viewer from the foreground, all the way to the background. Also, I have placed the horizon on the upper third of the frame, following the Rule of Thirds, and creating a dynamic landscape photograph.

02 Leading Lines Composition Techniques Landscape Photography by Prathap Indiana Dunes State Park Beach

The beauty of nature is that there are plenty of elements in nature which can be used as leading lines:

Roads
Railway tracks
Boardwalks
Pathways
Waterfalls

Streams
Shorelines
Series of trees, poles, etc.
Fencing
Pebbles or rocks on the shoreline

The list can go on. It’s amazingly simple to use leading lines in your landscape photographs, you just have to look around.

Types of Leading Lines

Leading lines can be straight or curved, and straight lines can also be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.

A horizontal line induces a feeling of calmness, whereas a vertical line represents strength.

03 Leading Lines Composition Techniques Landscape Photography by Prathap Biltmore Estate

Diagonal lines can be very interesting as they represent energy. If used properly, diagonal lines can make a dull image look more compelling.

04 Leading Lines Composition Techniques Landscape Photography by Prathap Biltmore Estate Closeup

A curved line makes it for an interesting composition, as it spirals around the frame asking for more attention. The viewer will eventually scan more parts of the image.

05 Leading Lines Composition Techniques Landscape Photography by Prathap Blue ridge Parkway Countryside

An s-curve is predominantly preferred by many landscape photographers, for its ability to connect many parts of the image. It gives a soothing feeling in the viewer.

06 Leading Lines Composition Techniques Landscape Photography by Prathap Beautiful Sunrise in Lake Superior

A tighter curve, however, might induce sense of danger.

07 Leading Lines Composition Techniques Landscape Photography by Prathap Blue ridge Parkway

The most important point is to use the leading lines to direct the viewer into the scene. It wouldn’t make much sense, or be effective, if it leads the viewer out of the scene.

Conclusion

Leading line photographic composition is the most powerful natural technique a landscape photographer can use to lead the viewer into the photograph. When combined with the Rule of Thirds, you can make some compelling photographs.

It is by far the easiest method to create a 3-dimensional effect, in a 2-dimensional photograph. Landscape photographers use this very effectively to force the viewer to scan the photograph from foreground to background.

“Lead the viewer in to the scene, not out of the scene.”

Embrace it now, and see how it transforms your landscape photographs into something more realistic and interesting. Think photography! Think Simple!

How do you use leading lines in your photography? Please share in the comments below.

The post How to Use Leading Lines Effectively in Landscape Photography by Prathap DK appeared first on Digital Photography School.

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6 Tips for Creating Leading Lines to Make Your Photos Stand Out More

04 Dec

There is perhaps no more important tool in composition than lines. The eye will virtually always follow an actual or implied line across the picture. Because of this tendency, many lines are referred to as leading lines They are actual, or implied lines that control the eye of the viewer through the frame.

PointReyesTrees

Some leading lines guide the viewer entirely through the frame. Some lines are the subject of the photo themselves. But others, and my favorite sort of leading lines, are the ones that draw the viewer into the picture. They add depth to your image. So today I want to focus on that particular kind of leading line, giving you some examples and ideas for how to create them.

1. Plan for opportunities

Lines that you can use to lead into your viewer into the frame are everywhere, but you’ve got to look for them. In fact, it is a good idea to plan a few shots ahead of time so that you can consider what to use as a leading line. Leaving it to chance when you are out shooting will often result in the idea of leading lines being overlooked while you are focused on other things.

When you are thinking about possible lines leading into the frame, think about roads and paths, which work great. Plus they are everywhere so you almost never have to search for them. The edges of the road will converge in the distance, thereby pointing the viewer to the center of the frame. Although certainly not as prevalent as roads, railroad tracks also work great. Finally, don’t overlook the use of shadow to create a line toward the center of the picture.

QueensWalk

2. Finding and using urban opportunities

In an urban environment, besides roads, you can use buildings and other structures. Obviously rows of buildings can work. Perspective will make the buildings appear smaller as they become more distant, resulting in lines pointing to the center of the picture. Fences are another good choice.

Keep your eye open for rows of streetlights, which we often overlook, but which can work great. In addition, don’t forget to look up, as the natural convergence of buildings toward the center of your frame (due to the distortion of your lens) can actually work for you in this context, and create lines that point to the center of the frame.

TubeEscalator

3. Opportunities in nature

When you are out in the wild, nature often provides you with the leading lines you seek. Patterns on the ground, whether it be paved, sand, or grass, can often provide markings that lead to the center of the frame. In addition, similar to the convergence of buildings mentioned above, looking up into tall trees will create the same effect.

Sand

Leading lines on the ground can be difficult if not impossible to see with the naked eye though. There are times you have to walk around with the viewfinder held to your eye (or looking through your LCD with the camera in Live View) in order to see the lines on the ground. Moving water can also provide lines toward the center of the frame. Again, however, these might not be visible to you. Frequently looking at a a long exposure after the fact is the only way you can actually see these lines. Take test shots when you can.

4. Manufacture your own lines

Sometimes there are no leading lines tha to use and you have to make your own. There are many ways to do this. One of my favorites is by adding streaking lights that go into the frame. Taking a long exposure of moving water will also result in lines.

GreyWhaleRock

5. Stay cognizant of lines when shooting

Once you identify leading lines to draw your viewer into the frame, you need to take your picture in such a way that it will show them. We already mentioned shutter speed, which is particularly important when you are allowing lights or water to flow through your frame to show a leading line. But you will also want to keep an eye on your aperture setting. Most of the time you will want the entire leading line sharp, along with the subject that you are leading the viewer’s eye toward. You’ll want to use a small aperture in that case, which will create a large depth of field for your shot. On occasion, however, you want to blur out the background by using a large aperture. In any case, the important thing is to have a plan for showing the leading line in the final picture.

WiseCoRoad

6. Accentuate the lines in post-production

Finding and using leading lines to draw your viewer into the picture does not end when the shutter closes. Usually you can accentuate them in post-processing. The main way is through selective brightening and darkening. Oftentimes you will want to brighten your leading line to draw the viewer’s eye to it. Sometimes you might want to darken other parts of the frame for the same reason. You also might want to increase the contrast in, and around, your leading lines since the eye is attracted to contrast.

The best way the accomplish this selective lightening and darkening is through curves adjustment layers. Just create a curves adjustment layer (Layer – New Adjustment Layer – Curves). Then brighten the picture by pulling the middle of the curve upward bit. Use whatever selection tools you are most comfortable with to mask away the brightening everywhere you don’t want it (which will be pretty much everywhere except for your leading lines). To darken portions of the picture, just do the same thing on a new adjustment layer, but instead of pulling the curve up, pull it down. Again, mask away the effect where you don’t want it (which, this time will be areas away from your leading lines).

NYC

Effort and reward

The use of leading lines to draw the viewer into the frame is a great way to add depth to your pictures. Rather than looking at the picture the viewer is looking into the picture. But it isn’t always easy. It requires thought before, during, and after the shot. But with the right pre-planning, a little attention while shooting, and some accentuation during the post-processing, you can add an element to your photos that sets them apart.

The post 6 Tips for Creating Leading Lines to Make Your Photos Stand Out More by Jim Hamel appeared first on Digital Photography School.

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6 Tips for Creating Leading Lines to Make Your Photos Stand Out More

03 Dec

PointReyesTrees

1. Plan for opportunities

QueensWalk

2. Finding and using urban opportunities

TubeEscalator

3. Opportunities in nature

Sand

4. Manufacture your own lines

GreyWhaleRock

5. Stay cognizant of lines when shooting

WiseCoRoad

6. Accentuate the lines in post-production

NYC

Effort and reward

The post 6 Tips for Creating Leading Lines to Make Your Photos Stand Out More by Jim Hamel appeared first on Digital Photography School.

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DPReview exclusive: Lytro Illum in the hands of five leading photographers

21 May

In conjunction with the announcement of what Lytro is calling its ‘professional-grade light field camera’, the Illum, the company put its new product in the hands of five leading photographers. Today, Lytro has exclusively released a promotional video to DPReview that takes us behind the scenes as five ‘creative pioneers’ discover what they can do with this innovative new technology. See the video

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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For those on the leading edge Sony announces enthusiast 4K Handycam

05 Sep

Sony announced a consumer 4K camcorder, the FDR-AX1, which gives enthusiast videographers a way to capture four times the resolution of a Full HD camera. The AX1 is able to save the massive amounts of data gathered by a 4K, 60fps camera thanks to its XQD memory card. Its G lens covers a 20x zoom range equivalent to a 31.5 – 630mm, and includes Optical Steady Shot. Click through for more.

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Leading Lines: Weekly Photography Challenge

20 Jul

Sunrise on the Boardwalk

This week your photographic challenge is to take and share an image that uses the compositional tool of ‘Leading Lines’ – as written about in our recent post How to Use Leading Lines for Better Compositions.

Rope Slide

This technique can be used in a variety of types of photography including landscapes, architectural photography, street photography and more.

So read our leading lines post and head out with your camera to practice the technique.

Qadmoun K Nishan Khud He Manzil Ka Pata Dengay

Once you’ve taken your ‘Leading Lines’ photos upload your best ones to your favourite photo sharing site either share a link to them even better – embed them in the comments using the our new tool to do so.

If you tag your photos on Flickr, Instagram, Twitter or other sites with Tagging tag them as #DPSLEADINGLINES to help others find them. Linking back to this page might also help others know what you’re doing so that they can share in the fun.

Also – don’t forget to check out some of the great shots posted in last weeks Before and After challenge – there were some great shots submitted.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Leading Lines: Weekly Photography Challenge

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How to Use Leading Lines for Better Compositions

17 Jul

A leading line paves an easy path for the eye to follow through different elements of a photo. Usually they start at the bottom of the frame and guide the eye upwards and inwards, from the foreground of the image to the background, typically leading toward the main subject.

The easiest place to find a leading line is on a road. Roadways are inherently leading because they go somewhere, give us a feeling of motion, and the lines often point so far inwards that they reach a vanishing point – the place where two or more lines converge into theoretical infinity.

Avenue of Oaks, South Carolina, by Anne McKinnell

The leading lines of the road converge to create a sense of infinity.

When leading lines, such as roads, connect the foreground to the background of a scene, they help to create depth and dimensionality which draws the viewer into the image.

Leading lines are all around us in cities and in nature. Your job as the photographer is to find them and arrange them in your photograph so that they lead towards something, even if that something is infinity.

Sunset at Ross Bay, Victoria, British Columbia, by Anne McKinnell

The logs on the beach draw the viewer’s eye into the frame and lead up to the house.

When you’re setting up a shot, take a moment to examine the scene for its prominent lines. Clear your mind, relax your eyes, and notice where they are naturally drawn to.

Pay special attention to man-made things such as:

roads
fences
boardwalks
bridges
bricks
anything in a row such as lamp posts
buildings
doorways
window panes

In nature, pay particular attention to:

rivers
shorelines
waves
sand dunes
trees
tall grass
cliffs
rocks
sun rays

The soft leading line of the river’s edge creates depth in the image.

Once you’ve identified your strongest lines, consider how you can use them to enhance your composition. Depending on your intention, you might:

create depth and perspective by positioning a strong line leading from the foreground to the background;
create a visual journey from one part of your image to another;
place your subject where the lines converge to give the subject more importance in the frame and draw the viewer’s attention directly to it; or
make a cyclical composition, with the lines leading the eye in a circular motion and never out of the frame.

Arranging the elements in the frame may involve the use of different lenses to change perspective, but usually you can accomplish it simply by moving yourself so that the point of view you choose is purposeful.

The leading line of the path leads the eye directly to the maple tree.

Leading lines are the key compositional element that carries our eye through the photograph. They can be used to tell a story, to place emphasis, and to draw a connection between two objects.

Use them creatively and with expressive purpose to help you tell your unique photographic tale.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

How to Use Leading Lines for Better Compositions

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