Leading Lines
Leading lines don’t need to be as obvious as those in the shot below (taken in Badlands National Park, South Dakota) I use this one initially to show an obvious representation of the technique. The purpose is exactly as the name suggests, to lead the viewer into the frame and steer them the way you intended when making the shot.
There is no need to look for something as specific as a road, nor does your ‘line’ need to actually be a line just the suggestion of one that will lead the viewer into the image. Anything that the eye will fall upon and naturally follow through the image qualifies as a leading line, rivers and streams for example make excellent leading lines.
There is no need to look for something as specific as a road, nor does your ‘line’ need to actually be a line just the suggestion of one that will lead the viewer into the image. Anything that the eye will fall upon and naturally follow through the image qualifies as a leading line, rivers and streams for example make excellent leading lines.
The gallery below shows some wonderfully obvious leading lines that still make a very valid contribution to the images they are a part of.
The better examples of leading lines are the less obvious ones that will still direct the eye through the image in the same way but without the blatant 'follow me' message of those shown in the gallery above. I should add that there is nothing at all wrong in using the absolutely obvious leading lines, but it's valuable to understand and notice the less obvious ones. It is also worth remembering that lines exiting the frame can lead the eye away from the topic and out of the image entirely so be sure of where the leading line is taking you.
The gallery below shows some the less obvious examples to help you search for your own when out shooting, please bear in mind that these may appear obvious now because they are the topic of discussion and have been pointed out to you, but would you have seen them all otherwise?
The gallery below shows some the less obvious examples to help you search for your own when out shooting, please bear in mind that these may appear obvious now because they are the topic of discussion and have been pointed out to you, but would you have seen them all otherwise?
Leading lines are also used to create a vanishing point, leading the viewer through the image to a point where the lines converge and they are stopped within the frame. The gallery below shows a few examples of leading lines reaching toward a vanishing point and ending within the frame. Ideally you will end your vanishing point on a rule of thirds junction to get the greatest effect.
Leading lines are a great way to pull the viewer into your image but they can spoil a shot by taking the viewer out of the frame, as you begin using leading lines always be cognisant of where they are leading and be careful you don't bring in unintended leading lines into your shot when framing.