Tuesday, November 21, 2006

The function of lines in photographic composition

The mood of a photograph is influenced by the type of lines the photographer includes.

Vertical lines -- imply dignity, height, solemnity, strength, and grandeur. Found in trees, tall buildings or other structures, fences, people standing, mountains, etc. This impression is strengthened when the photo contains multiple lines.

Horizontal lines
-- imply calm, tranquility, peacefulness, etc. Found in desert scenes, a lake, meadows with flowers, etc.

Diagonal lines
-- add a sense of energy, dynamism and motion to photos.

Curved lines
-- add beauty and charm to photographs. E.g. a curved path, bend in a river, or human body.

S-curve -- adds charm, strength, grace, and balance. It is a double curve in a river, path, fence, row of trees, etc.

Leading line -- is a line in a photo that often starts from one of the four corners and draws your eye to the main subject or centre of interest in the photo. It should be used with caution because if the leading line does not lead to an object which stops it, it may lead the viewer’s eye out of the photograph. The preferred starting point for a leading line is the lower left corner of the photograph, although not the exact corner. This is the area from which the eye finds it most natural to enter a picture.

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