Leading Lines Photography - Increase your Creative Skills - Instantly!
If you want a really easy technique that will increase your creative skills, Leading lines in Photography is it! In this tutorial, we look at what Leading Lines are in photography, where you can find them and how easy it is to use them to create stunning compositions.
In our example, we have purposely chosen an uninspiring location to show you that lines can be found anywhere and adding them into your compositions can turn the dullest pictures into something special! We’ll then follow this by showing you lots of different examples of using leading lines in photography.
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What are leading lines in photography?
A good photo allows the viewer’s eye to flow around the frame with ease. As the word suggests leading lines leads the viewer’s eye through the image, and although not always the case, the lines will normally lead you to the main focal point of the photo.
Photograph showing lines from a wall leading into the main subject which in this case is a model. Camera settings - 1/800th Second - f/2.8 - ISO 100 - 85mm Focal Length
The same scenario, taken 30 seconds later with the model moved away from the wall. Camera settings - 1/640th Second - f/2.8 - ISO 100 - 85mm Focal Length
As you can see by the examples above, leading lines in photography is really easy to achieve. All you need to do is find something that leads you through the frame to a main focal point. An important thing to note here is that lines can come into the frame from anywhere, e.g. top, left, right etc. However, if they come from a corner and travel diagonally through the frame, they will create a more dynamic feeling in the image. Diagonals in images create a dynamic feeling. Using leading lines is a perfect compositional technique to add that wow factor to your photo. And for a viewer, leading lines create a path for their eyes to explore the image.
Why are leading lines important?
Leading lines are important to use as they help to create a flow within your composition. The easier it is for a viewer to look at your picture the better. Leading lines naturally take the viewer on a journey around the photo. This in turn, keeps them engaged and wanting to look at the picture for longer. And in this fast photography Insta world, that can only be a good thing!
@joelvodell unsplash.com
Types of Leading Lines
Leading lines can be anything: rivers, logs, yellow lines on a road, lines you create in the sand, the brickwork on a house, shadows and literally anything that creates lines.
There are many examples of using leading lines in photography but there are some very common ones that are sure to improve your pictures. These are as follows:
In portraiture to lead your eye into the model and create interest around the frame.
In landscapes to add foreground interest and lead your eye from the foreground through to the background of a scene.
In architecture to create a feeling of you travelling through the building.
@francistogram unsplash.com - Using leading lines in Architecture
Using leading lines in Portraiture. Camera settings - 1/125th Second - f/2.8 - ISO 1250 - 50mm Focal Length
@tomzzlee unsplash.com
@snapsbyfox unsplash.com - Using leading lines in street photography
Using lines in Landscape photography to give foreground interest and lead you from the foreground to the background. Camera settings - 70 Seconds - f/22 - ISO 400 - 17mm Focal Length
Conclusion
Leading lines are an easy but powerful compositional technique that you can use to improve your photography. Just remember though, after finding lines, it is important to pay attention to how you use them. Think of them as a path for the viewer’s eye. They should guide the eye to the focal point of your image making it easier to view and more aesthetic.
We would love to see your examples of using Leading Lines. If you want to show us, please tag #theschoolofphotography on social media.
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