Leading Lines

Leading lines are very useful in drawing your viewer into your photo and creating a path their eyes can travel upon.  Having these lines can help elevate your composition and keep your viewers interested in your photograph. Without the proper understanding of leading lines, your viewer could easily be led off of the image by lines that lead the eye off of the page.

This image has very strong leading lines.  The lines of the banisters come from both sides leading the viewer’s eye straight to the subject.  Also, the fact that the lines come from both sides enhances the subject much more than if the lines were coming from one side.  They also work to frame the subject.

In this image, the leading lines are a lot more subtle than the last, but still very prevalent.  At the bottom, the line of the foliage leads us to the rocks on the bottom left. This leads the eye up to the line of birds, which brings the eye to the rocks on the right.  They then bring the eye back around by connecting to the strong curve of the ocean waves. These lines keep the viewer drawn in by the connected lines, which keep the eye moving around the photo.

Leading lines can be very helpful in keeping the viewer engaged in the photo, which is the goal, along with bringing attention to the subject of the image.  This will enhance the engagement with your photos and help prevent you from making the mistake of capturing lines that lead the eye off of the page.