Project 12, Month 4, Lines

This month we'll be composing photographs with lines, a basic, varied, and fun compositional element.

Things to consider:

• Lines add visual interest to a photo and create depth and dimension. They can direct our eyes to the main subject or lead us through the scene. They can create a mood, such as tension or serenity. They can add stability or imply movement.
• "Lines" refer to direction or placement as well as type.  Vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines can be straight, curved, or irregular.
• Lines can take many different forms. Roads, fences, horizons, structures (man-made and natural), light, shadows, stairs, walkways, snow drifts, lava flows, and waves are just a very few examples of lines seen in photographs. 
• Lines can also be implied or suggested by shapes or by groups of objects such as tree lines, mountain ranges, and skylines, or by the placement/positioning of subjects.
• Remember the Rule of Thirds and avoid having lines dissect the middle of a scene. (and remember all rules can be broken when appropriate).

Suggested Readings and Photographic Examples:

1. Using Lines in Photography by Gloria Hopkins; an article with photographic examples of many different kinds of lines
2. Guidelines for Better Photographic Composition: Lines, mostly photographic examples from photoinf
3. Advanced Composition - Part I an article on using lines to improve composition from Ron Bigelow Photography
4. Draw Viewer’s Into The Photographic Composition With Lines from Advanced Photography Tips
5. The Spaghetti Principle from thehyperfocaldistance.com; interesting article using pasta to demonstrate horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines.
6. Using Lines to Improve Photographic Composition from The Photo Argus; short article with photos
7. Using Lines in Composition by Steve Owen from Steve's Landscapes and Images; types of compositional lines defined
8. 15 Stunning Staircase Photos from photoble;15 photos of staircases with all kinds of lines.
9. Jim Zuckerman on Composition: Leading Lines from Mac-On-Campus; article on leading lines with pictorial examples
10. Jim Zuckerman on Composition: Lines by Jim Zuckerman from Mac-On-Campus; article on various types of lines with pictorial examples

Some Examples of Types of Lines:

Leading Lines: "Leading" lines lead the viewer to an object or through a photograph. They can add a dimension of depth to an otherwise flat scene. Leading lines can be straight, curved, or even zigzag.  Most people read from left to right and they'll follow a leading line the same way.

• Photography Tips: Leading Lines, by J Bernat, photographic examples
• Leading Lines of Light from Lori Kolbenschlag Photography
• Using Leading Lines in Photography a video by Julieanne Kost on compositing with Photoshop from AdobeTV

Horizontal Lines: Horizontal lines go across a photo from side to side. They can be peaceful and calming.  Horizontal lines should be very straight or definitely skewed. 

• Basic Composition Techniques: Horizontal Lines from Expert Photography, short article, several photos
• Using Horizontal Lines in Photography by Darren Rouse from Digital Photography School; short article

Vertical Lines go up and down. They can show stability, strength, and power.

• Using Vertical Lines in Photography by Darren Rouse from Digital Photography School; short article, 1 photo
• Basic Composition Techniques: Why You Should Know About Vertical Lines from Expert Photography; short article, several photos

Jagged (Zigzag, Irregular) Lines: Jagged lines can make the viewer feel uncomfortable, creating tension.  Or they can create a laid-back, no hurry mood. Or they can skip across the scene in childish glee.

• Designing a Photograph: Points and Lines- Big City Nights by Nat Coalson from Photo Focus; good photo of irregular  skyline framed by diagonal line
• a jagged line awaits by Reathel

Diagonal or Slanted Lines: Diagonal lines can add drama to a photo and create a sense of movement.  They can be straight, curved, or irregular lines.

• The Magical Diagonal from Jason Smalley
• Photography Composition: the Golden Triangle Rule by Mira Crisp from Crisp PhotoWorks

Curved Lines: Curved lines can imply slow, sensual motion or fast action.  An S-curve is considered especially pleasing to the eye.  Curve types also include radials, arcs, spirals, and C-curves.

• Using Curves to Enhance Composition by Brian Auer from Epic Edits; many photos with good examples of using curves
• Curves in Composition by Scott Simmons from Learn Outdoor Photography; very short article with 2 photos.

Converging Lines: Converging lines are parallel lines that appear to become closer together at the farthest end from the camera.

• How to Use Converging Lines to Enhance Your Photography by Darren Rouse from Digital Photography School, short article with photographic example
• Basic Composition Techniques: Converging Lines from Expert Photography; article with accompanying pictures

That's a lot of lines!
The photo Leading Lines Curved on Photo Junkie illustrates leading lines, horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines,curves, irregular lines and converging lines.  The photo of the windmill and flower field also illustrates leading lines, horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines, and converging lines.  See how many examples of each line type you can find.