Project 52, Week 14, Horizontal, Vertical, and Diagonal Lines

This week compose a scene with lines - up, down, or sideways.

Horizontal Lines:

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

Vertical Lines:

• Vertical lines go up and down. 
• They can show stability, strength, and power.
• Vertical lines should not sprout from the top of a subject's head unless it's a hat, crown, or hairdo.

Diagonal or Slanted Lines:

• If a horizontal or vertical line isn't straight, it's a slanted line.
• Diagonal lines can add drama to a photo and create a sense of movement.
• They can be straight, curved, jagged, irregular, or zigzag lines.
• Diagonal or slanted lines make effective leading lines because they lead you through more of the scene.

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.

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.  Basic Composition Techniques: Horizontal Lines from Expert Photography, short article, several photos
2. Basic Composition Techniques: Why You Should Know About Vertical Lines from Expert Photography; short article, several photos
3. Using Horizontal Lines in Photography by Darren Rouse from Digital Photography School; short article
4. Using Vertical Lines in Photography by Darren Rouse from Digital Photography School; short article, 1 photo
5. Using Diagonal Lines in Photography by Darren Rouse from Digital Photography School; short article with 2 photos 
6. The Magical Diagonal from Jason Smalley
7. Photography Composition: the Golden Triangle Rule by Mira Crisp from Crisp PhotoWorks  
8. Designing a Photograph: Points and Lines - Big City Nights by Nat Coalson from Photo Focus; good photo of irregular skyline framed by diagonal line
9. a jagged line awaits by Reathel
10. Guidelines for Better Photographic Composition: Lines from photoinf
11. Digital Photography School - Getting Horizon Level in Photography from Enchanting Kerala; short article with tips on getting the horizon level