Vacation Planning Tips

One of the most important factors that determines the success of a photograph is the composition. One way to improve composition is the use of lines. When properly utilized in an image, lines can make images more dramatic and successful.

Lines affect composition in a couple of ways. First, lines help to create mood in an image. By affecting mood, lines can add some emotional substance to an image. Second, lines can lead a viewer’s eye through an image. By controlling a viewer’s eye, lines help to keep the viewer’s attention centered on the image. We will take a look at four types of lines: horizontal lines, vertical lines, diagonal lines, and jagged and irregular lines.

Horizontal Lines

Horizontal lines are associated with a lack of change. Basically, they tend to create a feeling of homeostasis. Horizontal lines can create an image that appears locked at some point in time. We can use this to our advantage when we want to create a sense of timelessness in an image. Horizontal lines can also be used to create some contrast with other more dynamic objects in an image. Examples of horizontal lines can be found in buildings, skylines, and fallen trees.

Vertical lines can project either a mood of stability or peace. When projecting a mood of stability, they often function similarly to horizontal lines. This can convey an implication of substance or permanence. Examples of vertical lines used to impart a mood of stability can be found in rock formations, power line poles, and vertical lines of buildings.

Vertical lines are also excellent for creating a tranquil mood. Examples of this use of lines can be found in forest trees enveloped in fog, aged fence posts on a lonely plain, and a solitary figure standing on a quiet beach.

Diagonal Lines

Diagonal lines suggest a sense of activity. They tend to make an image more dynamic. Consequently, diagonal lines are very powerful as they tend to grab the attention of a person viewing an image. The attention of the viewer tends to rove back and forth along the diagonal lines. Diagonals can be created not just from objects such as tree branches or streams but also from areas of color. For example, a section of color on a flower could form a diagonal that would add impact to the flower image. Examples of diagonals are all around us: streets, canals, waves, and the stems of flowers can all be utilized as diagonals.

Jagged and Irregular Lines

Jagged and irregular lines take us one step further on the continuum of emotion and feeling. While diagonals move us into the area of the dynamic, jagged and irregular lines often impart a sense of unease, tension, or fear to the viewer of the image. Heavy use of jagged and irregular lines can cause a negative feeling in the viewer (which may be exactly what the photographer intended). Therefore, they are the tools of choice for the photographer who wants to create a feeling of disquiet or agitation in the viewer. Examples can be found in roots, a crocodile’s teeth, stark mountain peaks, and the twisted metal of an automobile wreck.

When used properly, lines can do more than create mood. They can also be used to direct the attention of the viewer of an image. In order to use lines for this purpose, two rules should be followed. First, the lines should always point toward the most important object in an image. This will help to direct the viewers’ attention to that object. Second. The lines should never point outside the image as this will lead the viewer’s attention outside the image. This will, likely, result in the viewer losing interest in an image. Thus, the image will be weakened.

Summary

Since lines are such an effective compositional tool, why not use them when composing your future images?

However, lines are just the start. There is much more to creating great photographic compositions. To learn more composition techniques, check out Ron’s three part article series on Advanced Photographic Composition.