Next few blogs I am planning to post few photography composition ideas with a very brief explanation of them. I will be posting one or two photos per blog, unlike my natural history blog which has 5-8 photos. Here is a capture I did during a recent Photo walk at Cubbon Park, Bangalore showcasing leading line.
Here the edge of the walk which was raised is used as the leading line. Which in turn takes viewers eye to a pretty small group of people right at the depth of the scene. The grandeur of the shadows will make viewer appreciate the capture better is my intention here.
A leading line is used in photography to literally lead the gaze of the viewer from one point of the image to another. Leading lines draw attention to the photograph. They can lead towards a subject, which is a great way to illustrate what the focal point of the image is; or they can lead the gaze through the photograph, into the distance. Usually, these lines begin at the bottom of the photograph and continue to narrow towards the middle, guiding the gaze up and in. When the lines finally meet in the middle, they create a sense of depth and three-dimensionality, making the image more dynamic and intriguing for the viewer.
Finding and more importantly, recognizing leading lines should not be that hard. They’re everywhere! From roads, bridges, rivers and buildings, to shadows, patterns, fields and sun rays – the more important part is how you use them by framing your photo. Diagonal lines are by far the most dynamic. They appear to be unstable, which adds drama to a photograph.
Wow, loved the blog. Perhaps, one was aware of this concept in a subconscious way but your putting your finger on it makes it stand out crisp and clear.