Exactly what are leading lines

Leading lines simply explained are the visual lines that provide direction and guidance to the eye path throughout a visual image. (Example A)

Leading lines are lines within an image that leads the eye to another point in the image, or occasionally, out of the image. Anything with a definite line can be a leading line. Fences, bridges, even a shoreline can lead the eye. You can use leading lines with a subject that is placed according to the rule of thirds your image should be very strong (Example B)

How do I create leading lines

The easiest way to create leading lines to look for visual lines such as a bike path, dirt road, walkway, walls buildings, trees, the coast line (beach) even leaves can create a line if arranged, and then try to position your subject at the intersection of the leading lines.

How to make a line become a leading line

Start by looking for streets, alley-ways, or trees that have a strong converging line and point.  Try placing the converging point on one of or two of the thirds of your image.  (Examples B, C & D) As with anything, sometimes you have to work the scene a little to for the composition to work.  So feel free to step to your right or your left, stand on a ladder or crouch down to get the best angle and select the best lens and focal length to accentuate the lines so they converge at the perfect location.

Where there is a path there is a leading line

Triangles have converging leading lines 

If you look at all five examples you will notice there is a triangular theme.  You can’t have converging lines without triangles. The more triangles you create the more visual impact your image will have.Try creating more visual impact and exaggerate you diagonals (Example C) , consider using a wide angle lens.   As a result, the optical distortion of a wider focal length generally translates to creating more dynamic diagonals (Example B).

It may be helpful to crouch down or get a higher viewpoint when shooting to create and/or strengthen  images with weaker leading lines.

The waiting game

If you’ve understand how sales works, you’ll have no issues understanding this game of patience.  All salespeople are taught to prospect and use their leads to achieve success.  It’s all about the hunt and “the waiting game”; a good salesperson tracks what their prospects do. Who they meat, how they respond, all so he/she can predict his/hers chances of making the sale.

For photographic purpose and interpretation the artist, you, finds the perfect location. Only you wish a young couple holding hands were standing in that exact location; and decide to wait it out and see if anyone walks by.  Finally, you set up your camera on your tripod, frame it up, and then you wait and wait and wait… Then maybe an hour and a half later, they arrive and you just time them perfectly and you fire the shutter successfully.

Foto Forum University offers a class on Composition Theory, Check Back regularly to see what classes are being offered each month.