Do you ever look back at a photo you’ve taken and think “Now that’s just boring.”?
It might be technically correct. The focus might be spot on, the Exposure and white balance look good. But there is something about it that is just kind of blah.
So how can you stop that from happening again? One simple way is by using lines. Using lines can make your photo look oh so interesting! Keep reading to learn how!
Leading Lines
Leading lines are utilizing lines in the environment to point to your subject. This helps draw attention to your subject and make them appear less boring! Leading lines can give a cool and creative feel to your photo.
Leading lines will usually have a vanishing point. Think of those perspective drawings you did back in grade school where you drew a road (do you remember those?) You drew a straight line for the horizon and placed a dot on it, the drew two diagonal lines for the road going back. There are your leading lines. It is a similar concept in photography. Look at the photos below and notice how lines in the environment lead right to the subject.
Vertical Lines
Look for lines in the environment that go up and down. This will help create height in your photo and make the picture seem strong. Be careful to align those vertical lines to the edge of your photo or else it will appear crooked and make the overall photo look awkward. See below how the vertical lines increase the height and make the overall photo more interesting.
Horizontal Lines
Used in the composition of a photo, horizontal lines can also make the picture appear wider and bigger than it is. Horizontal lines can create interesting patterns and texture in the photo as well. Look beyond horizontal lines on buildings or railings. Just looking to the horizon will give you a great base of a horizontal line (look at the ocean photo below to see horizontal lines used with the horizon!)
Places to find lines in the environment
- Roads
- Banisters
- Pillars
- Walls
- Edges of desks or tables
- The horizon line
- Patterns at your location
Really start to look, and you will find lines in so many places!
Use those to your advantage!
I challenge you to go out today and really open your eyes to what you see in your environment. Use those lines to help you create a more interesting, magnificent image!
Where have you found cool lines in the environment? Let us all know in a comment below!
Emily
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