The concept of leading lines is commonly used in artistic photography and painting as well as navigation. In photography, the concept can be explained by imagining yourself standing between a pair of railway tracks as you lift your gaze and view them extend into the distance. In that image, the tracks are guiding your vision to the horizon. More generally, the tracks form a path that leads your vision to another object or focal point in the image.
Anything with a definite track can serve that purpose. A country lane, path, fence, road, bridge, telegraph/telephone cable, roadside guardrails, a lake shore, long beach, staircase, tennis net, or coastline all can function to direct vision. When employing lead marks, photographers usually also adopt the so-called rule of thirds.
The rule of thirds is so-named because it divides an image into three sections vertically and three sections horizontally. This imaginary three-by-three grid divides an image into nine square-shaped cells. The grid pattern is achieved by imagining two vertical plus two horizontal lines dividing the image into the nine cells.
Lead marks can give depth to an image and create relationships within an image. Moreover, multiple lead marks can also help to create immense tension and inject a sense of complexity and turmoil to an image. The device can be fun to play with and experiment.
When using this technique, it is important not to over-compose a shot to the point where the lead marks are obvious or intrusive. They should discretely add to the positive tension of an image without necessarily becoming the dominant feature. Other parameters like colour, contrast, placement and depth of field remain important.
Straight or curved, lead lines define space and add to artistic composition. They typically begin at the bottom of the image and extend into its centre or heart, bringing the eyes of the viewer with them.
The leading marks themselves can take the form a variety of shapes or lights; the key requirement is that they stand prominent and are easily visible. They are often used to guide vessels through the entrance of harbors and estuaries where navigational hazards commonly prevail/exist. In the USA, lead marks and lead lead lights are referred to as range marks and range lights.
In summary, if used well, leading lines can be a strong tool to help a photographer create inject meaning and narrative into an image. One of the things that makes an image stand-out is the success with which it draws the attention of a viewer to its main subject.
Anything with a definite track can serve that purpose. A country lane, path, fence, road, bridge, telegraph/telephone cable, roadside guardrails, a lake shore, long beach, staircase, tennis net, or coastline all can function to direct vision. When employing lead marks, photographers usually also adopt the so-called rule of thirds.
The rule of thirds is so-named because it divides an image into three sections vertically and three sections horizontally. This imaginary three-by-three grid divides an image into nine square-shaped cells. The grid pattern is achieved by imagining two vertical plus two horizontal lines dividing the image into the nine cells.
Lead marks can give depth to an image and create relationships within an image. Moreover, multiple lead marks can also help to create immense tension and inject a sense of complexity and turmoil to an image. The device can be fun to play with and experiment.
When using this technique, it is important not to over-compose a shot to the point where the lead marks are obvious or intrusive. They should discretely add to the positive tension of an image without necessarily becoming the dominant feature. Other parameters like colour, contrast, placement and depth of field remain important.
Straight or curved, lead lines define space and add to artistic composition. They typically begin at the bottom of the image and extend into its centre or heart, bringing the eyes of the viewer with them.
The leading marks themselves can take the form a variety of shapes or lights; the key requirement is that they stand prominent and are easily visible. They are often used to guide vessels through the entrance of harbors and estuaries where navigational hazards commonly prevail/exist. In the USA, lead marks and lead lead lights are referred to as range marks and range lights.
In summary, if used well, leading lines can be a strong tool to help a photographer create inject meaning and narrative into an image. One of the things that makes an image stand-out is the success with which it draws the attention of a viewer to its main subject.
About the Author:
Parker Michaels is a new media consultant and freelance photographer. For more information on leading lines, visit www.photo-junkie.com.
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