How to use leading lines in composition

Use of leading lines is a much used technique when composing images. When you compose an image you need to organize and put all the elements together such a way it is attractive for the viewer. The more complex the scene is the more important this is. The most common ways of doing this in photography is to add a visual path in the image which the eye can follow. One way to do this is to include lines in the image which links the foreground to the background.

Leading lines

As the name suggest lead the eye into the subject of the photo. Such a line can be a pathway or row of trees. The most effective is when the line start in the bottom left side of the image because it is natural for humans. When using lines that leads the viewers eyes into the image, it is important to have main object in the composition. The main subject will stop and hold the eye. Failing to do so will make the eye leave the frame, and that is not what you want.

In this image shot at Ipanema beach Rio de Janeiro Brazil, the beach shore draws the eye into the image and towards the favela at the far end

Other types of lines

A line does not necessarily have to be a straight line. The line can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and it can even be a curved line or a path. The different type of lines expresses different feelings and can create special moods in the image.

Horizontal linesare calm, and peaceful. Maybe the most used horizontal line in photography is as the name tells the horizon where the sky meets the field or the sky meets the water.

Diagonal lines are dynamic and they create energy and motion in the image. A diagonal line can bring life to a boring image. If there is no natural diagonal line in the image you can easily create one by tilting the camera so the line appears to be vertical.

This arch shot at Acropolis Atens, Greece is an example on how diagonal lines can be used in an image

Vertical lines denote height, strength and stability. Vertical lines are found all over and can be trees, standing people, and high buildings.

This monument at Acropolis in Athens, Greece stands up strong and is an example on the use of vertical lines

Curved lines have a kind of beauty and charm. A curved line in an image could be made of a river or a winding road.

In this image from Cuba, the winding road is an example of a curved line