Summer Photo Tips #6: Guiding Viewer’s Eyes in Your Photos
Recently I discussed how Leading Lines can help make some photos more compelling and help move the viewers eye through a scene. Because of the many comments and emails I’ve received about that post want to add some additional information and also introduce the topic of natural frames.
1. More on Leading Lines
To review, a leading line is anything within a photograph that helps lead the eye from one place to another within or out of the image. A few easily found elements that can be used as leading lines include roadways, biking paths, sidewalks or even railroad tracks. They can also be created from fences, social trails (paths worn into the ground by foot traffic) or even a series of telephone poles or mail boxes. Here are four examples.
Once your eyes become accustomed to finding them, you’ll notice how leading lines are found everywhere on the landscape. The shape of a meandering stream flowing through a field, a row of flowers growing in a straight or curved pattern or even a lengthy tree trunk lying on the ground are some other examples.
Light can also create leading lines. The first rays of daylight illuminating a series of trees or a shaft of sunlight pouring through an opening in the clouds can easily guide a viewers eye through an image. Here are two examples.
2. Using Natural Frames in a Photo
A natural frame is an opening through which you photograph a subject. Some examples of natural frames include an open barn door through which you photograph a horse in its stall or an opening in a rock formation through which you photograph a distant mountain or sunrise. Including at least part of that natural frame in the image helps to set off the main subject and adds a sense of depth to the image. The two photographs below each contain natural frames.
Finding leading lines and natural frames takes practice and experience. Start by including some easily found examples in your photos like a highway or door opening and study the results. Once you gain experience and understand their benefits in different situations your ability to identify to find other examples more easily will grow.