Leading lines are a simple way to improve your own photography. Leading lines take the viewer "by the eye" and show them where you as the photographer intended them to focus their attention. Our eyes are naturally drawn along lines and paths in photos, and they can even make us feel as if we’re standing within the photo itself. It's a very effective and yet somewhat underused compositional tool. I'm always on the lookout for leading lines and try to incorporate them into a few frames in every session, even in the studio.
How can you have a leading line on a plain white background? Easy, put a brightly colored ball in the frame!
The foot bridge leads us right to Keely's smiling face and her mom's fabulous pink toes!
Who wouldn't climb those stairs to get to that face? Daisy Mae has been described by her mom as the "other woman" in her husband's life and I can see why!
See how the canal gently leads our eye to Julie and Pluto?
Not that we need much help seeing Goldie with that power pose (you go girl!), but just in case the fire engines ensure that we don't miss her. This sweetheart is a former street dog who is now available for adoption from the Coppell Humane Society, visit them on their website to learn more about her.
9 Comments
Apr 10, 2018, 9:20:11 PM
Shae - Wow! These are amazing images. I loved the idea of the color ball. I had no idea about using that technique for leading lines. Thank you for such a great and informative post.
Apr 8, 2018, 9:22:27 AM
Linda Perdue - Wow - some beautiful examples of this week's theme - I do love the bright color ball with the little black and white puppy - great idea!
Apr 6, 2018, 8:39:54 PM
Sandra mccarthy - Nice examples of leading lines. I really like the one of little Daisy Mae.
Apr 6, 2018, 12:49:26 PM
John - Beautiful photos and great examples. Love the puppy photo, that ball works so well for this post. I would have never thought of that.
Apr 6, 2018, 10:08:55 AM
Tim - I'm learning a lot more can be used as leading lines than I thought! I've always looked for lines leading directly to the subject instead of a suggested line. You've really opened my eyes in this aspect of composition!
Apr 6, 2018, 9:53:52 AM
Elaine - Beautiful examples, Tracy. I love the pup on the stairs and the use of the blue ball.
Apr 6, 2018, 9:36:23 AM
Kelly Middlebrooks - Fun examples! Love the intensity of the pup with the ball. ;)
Apr 6, 2018, 7:06:27 AM
Kim Hollis - Great examples for this week's topic!
Apr 6, 2018, 4:35:23 AM
Lynda - Awesome examples and beautiful photos!