LEADING LINES

Leading lines are one of the many tricks of composition used to direct the viewer’s attention. The lines can be actual (rare), structural, hedges, roads, architecture, or implied.

PATCHES OF COLOUR GIVE IMPLIED DIAGONAL

Implied lines are often found in landscape photographs of lakes where three strategically placed rocks lead the eye towards the centre of the image. It’s a well-known fact that professional landscape photographers often tow a trailer with a small JCB and three rocks just for this purpose.

One compositional outcome of using leading lines is to enhance perspective. Railway lines and tram lines have, too frequently, been employed to achieve a dramatic sense of depth or distance, often ending in a mountain range – alas, not a frequent occurrence in England. Occasionally, a vanishing point is reached somewhere near Norwich.

When done well, leading lines, coupled with implied jumps, can direct the viewer from one point of interest to another creating a sense of movement and enhancing the dramatic impact of the image. On occasion, the leading line, itself, is the subject of the image.

LET’S EXPUNGE THIS FROM THE SYSTEM! RAILWAY LINES VANISHING. BEECHING PERFORMED A SIMILAR TRICK.

Keep an eye out for zig-zags, diagonals, sinuous curves and circular routes which typically start in the bottom third of the image.

THE LEADING LINE AS THE SUBJECT OF THE IMAGE.

SINUOUS CURVES

THE LINES CAN BE VERY THICK OR THIN AND CAN LEAD BOTH INTO AND OUT OF THE IMAGE

When taking the picture, it is often difficult to comprehend all the subtleties of the image. Reflection, when post-processing, can often lead to modifications which enhance the desired impact.

Best of luck with the exercise for our meeting in March.

Basil