LEADING LINES
Leading lines in photography add interest, eye flow throughout the image, and can contain the viewer's eye within the four corners of the image. They can lead the eye toward the center of interest, or to another interesting part of the photograph.
If I see a leading line in a scene, I take advantage of it, knowing that it will enhance my composition. It is usually not obvious. It's psychologically subtle. It's not something that causes us to say, "Oh, look. A leading line."
I have used roads, fences, tree branches, hiking trails, and other elements in a scene as leading lines. Though not always present in any given scene, I do look for them.
Let me show you the different types of "leading lines" I have looked for and introduced into my compositions, starting with this awesome autumn scenario just outside of my favorite town in Colorado--Telluride. I found this along the winding road that leads to the small airport just a few miles south of town. I liked the way the ranch fence leads your eye toward the center of the scene. The area had just received a dusting of snow, creating beautiful snow-capped mountains--the San Juans in the distance.
In this next scene, I saw several leading lines, created by the topography around Maroon Bells near Aspen, Colorado. Can you spot them? They all lead toward the center of the image.
©Eli Vega
I thought the hiking trail led the eye easily toward the hiker. You can't help but follow the trail toward him. I also used tree branches at the top of my viewfinder to lead the eye back into the scene. These are no accidents. I look for them before I even get my camera out of my bag. If they're there, I'll incorporate them into my creations.
©Eli Vega
This next hiking trail leads to the highest peak in Colorado--Mt. Elbert, 14,430' in elevation! The trail takes a quick downward slope, but in the scene, as you can see, it looks like it comes to an end. You have to admit, though, it does lead you into the grove of aspens.
This image would have a totally different feel and look to it without the hiking trail. It makes me want to be there. Oh, wait. I was there.
©Eli Vega
In this next image, I used the road that leads your eye right into the heart of the scene. You can't help but follow it, as it disappears into the distance.
Here, a combination of a trail and a fence lead the eye right into the heart of this scene. When it comes to photography, sometimes the eyes see too much. We look to the left, to the right, and right ahead of us and feel overwhelmed with everything. We get so overwhelmed that we don't know where to aim our cameras. It is for this reason that I like to stop, take a deep breath, and ask myself, "What made me stop." And I get in touch with my own answer. I then look at all the elements that are around me--the trail, the fence, the giant rock formations, the trees, etc.
The question we need to ask ourselves is, "How can I best arrange all the elements before me in a way that will give me the best, most powerful, most interesting composition? Where do I place that large formation to the left? Where do I place the trail and the fence?" In other words, I don't just go, "Oh wow," and just shoot. I think it through before I shoot.
This last example is part of my "Impressionism" series of images. I created this impressionistic image by moving slowly forward into the scene, with my shutter speed intentionally set at 1/13th of a second in order to get a sense of movement. That was my main purpose for creating this image. However, even with that in mind, I did see the road, knowing it would become a leading line in the final image, leading the eye into a mysterious, unknown place.
©Eli Vega
Next time you're out and about with your camera, look for those often-ignored leading lines. I believe you'll start seeing a difference in your images.
Have fun with it. E-mail
me if you would like a 1-on-1 field lesson on this topic.
