Focusing your viewer's attention on the subject and message of your photographs is critical to your success as a photographer. Here's one straightforward way of telling your viewer exactly what's important:
One effective method for "pointing out" your subject to the viewer.
Fortunately, the photographer's composition tool kit contains many more subtle and appealing techniques for directing the viewer's attention. The most powerful and persuasive of these techniques is the artistic control of the actual or implied lines present in every picture.
The effective use of lines takes your viewers by the hand and leads them to your center of interest while adding a dynamic and emotional element to your composition. Our eyes detect the lines in a photograph and instinctively follow them -- wherever they may lead. Here's the same picture, but taken with a conscious effort to make use of the available lines to capture and direct the viewer's attention:
Use naturally occurring lines in a scene to direct viewer's attention.
The converging lines of the sidewalk and the foreground tree's edge line direct viewer focus into the center of interest -- the house. But lines can play an even more important role because of their ability to arouse our emotions.
Lines are present in a photograph in two forms -- actual and implied. Our ability to recognize and control the use of these lines while composing our pictures provides powerful visual and artistic cues for our viewers to follow. Be ever conscious that lines are present in all pictures. They can work for you or against you.
Actual lines, as the term implies, are physical and visible within the image.
The classic converging lines of railroad tracks
Although the image of the railroad tracks above will not win any awards, there is no denying that the actual lines created by the railroad tracks have the inescapable ability to direct the viewer's attention, "pull" the viewer into a picture and add immense depth to the image. Our eye/mind has learned over the years that the rails on a railroad track always lie the same distance apart. When we see these "known" lines converge, our senses perceive distance.
Implied lines are more subtle, but they are equally as compelling to our eye/mind.
The implied line here is created by the swimming direction of the duck
In the scene above, our eye/mind connects the direction of the duck's travel to its future position, lending forward direction to the image. Instinctively, we follow the direction and implication of motion provided by this implied line.
Will this boat "bump" into the edge of the picture?
When I see pictures like the boat above my eye/mind will ask, "OK, I'm at the border of the picture. Where should I go now?" Action needs SPACE in order to complete the action.
Lines come in various flavors and each adds its own distinctive mood and sense of direction to a photograph.
Vertical Lines of Composition
Pictures with strong vertical lines imply power, permanence and strength.
Stability, power and permanence are provided by strong vertical lines of the three skyscrapers.
The long vertical lines in the picture above do not convey motion, but instead to our eye/mind they are recognized as permanent and stationary. Emphasize vertical lines in your image when your message is one of strength and permanency.
Strong vertical lines often provide the most appropriate orientation for your picture. The majority of pictures containing strong vertical lines are most compelling when the final print is orientated as vertical (portrait). Don't forget you can turn your camera 90 degrees. You don't have to shoot everything horizontally (landscape).
Horizontal Lines of Composition
Horizontal lines within a composition convey a completely different message to our senses.
The calming effect of horizontal lines
Everything about the Alaskan morning picture above is horizontal -- the fog, the clouds, the tree lines and the mountains. The result is a serene image that elicits feelings of restfulness and very slow movement.
The horizontal visual lines in this picture almost demand that it be printed horizontally as well.
Images that make use of horizontal lines to provide feelings of calm and restfulness are likely to be cropped and printed as horizontal (landscape) pictures.
Diagonal Lines of Composition
Diagonal lines most often provide a sense of rapid motion in a photographic composition. The more severe the slope of the diagonal line, the more motion is perceived.
A NASA picture, Shuttle launch
The shuttle launch picture above is familiar and contains strong diagonal lines (actual and implied). Although this picture contains many of the same colors and clouds seen in the Alaskan morning picture, the sensation is totally different. Our eye/minds recognize the shuttle, and the diagonal position of the space craft directly reinforces the feelings of direction and rapid motion.
This same effect is evident in many sports pictures.
Motion implied due to diagonal body posture.
The college basketball player above is perceived to be moving because of the diagonal positioning of her body. Imagine the same picture with the athlete standing perfectly upright. The sensation of motion would be diminished or lost as she would appear to be standing still. Diagonal lines are strong visual cues to be used to emphasize motion.
Curved Lines in Composition
Curved lines are among the most appealing to our artistic senses. Curved lines imply grace and a flowing movement.
The curve of the train adds grace and movement to this majestic scene.
The curve being made by the train above not only "pulls" the viewer's eye into the picture, but it also adds a natural elegance and sense of slow movement to the scene.
The curved lines throughout this image reinforce the sensation of grace and delicacy.
Nature is full of curved lines that are strongly linked to how we react emotionally to a scene. Architects are very much aware of the impact curves have on the appeal of their creations.
The curves incorporated into the arch of this Portland, Oregon bridge add a gracious beauty, a softness and flowing visual movement to this massive steel and concrete structure. The result is a design that is more in line with its natural surroundings and the sensitivities of the community.
This curved stairway entrance adds to the elegant feel and flowing lines of an old southern plantation.
Criss Crossing, Opposing or Intersecting Lines in Composition
Lines that suddenly change direction or intersect with other lines produce a visual sensation of vibrant activity and interaction. Sometimes this interaction of lines seems almost chaotic, but adds to the drama and tension of the scene.
The opposing lines of the flowing water add to the sense of extreme movement and tension.
Lines that crisscross or intersect at extreme angles add to any motion already present in the image.
Intersecting lines create a sense of vigor that compels our interest.
The crisscross lines of the Eiffel Tower
Even the crisscross and intersecting lines in the Eiffel Tower produce a vigorous and "alive" feeling to this otherwise stationary steel structure.
Like all the other rules and guidelines for photographic composition that have been covered in Part 22 of this Primer, a certain amount of flexibility must also be applied here. Every rule must be considered in terms of the subject matter and the sensation or emotion you are seeking to stimulate in your viewers.
But, before you try breaking these age-old rules and guidelines, practice and master them. Eventually your own aesthetic sensibilities will grow to determine the correct treatment for each composition.
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