Learn Digital Photography - Lines Bring Life to Your Photos

One the most important elements in photography is lines. Our world is full of lines, angles, triangles, squares and diagonals and again, our brains attempt to bring order to confusion. Lines are pleasing to the eye, which means they have to be ordered, making them important. So how do you bring this element into your photography?

Let's start by looking at lines in a simplistic way. Take a look at the humble railway line and use it to remember this point. What does a railway line do? It takes you somewhere. When searching for lines in an image, look for a line that draws the eye and carries it to a point in the image.

Some of the most striking images use a strong line such as a river, road or fence to lead the eye to a focal point. Before you shout me down and say that's not the only way we look at lines in a photo, understand what I am trying to do.

In all our articles you are learning step by step. The same here. I want you to be able to go out without much guidance and look for lines and shoot images of lines that do something for you, and perhaps bring in the WOW factor.

Before starting on your shooting here are a few guidelines to help you. These are the types of lines to look for:

1. Verticals.

This should be self-explanatory. Remember to use the vertical format. It brings height and volume to your images and can be quite striking especially when shooting from a low angle. So if the lines in your scene are vertical you need to turn your camera vertically.

2. Horizontals

This should also be self-explanatory. This time use the horizontal format. Look for horizons but get them perfectly straight. There's nothing worse than a crooked horizon.

3. Converging

These are lines that start apart like railway tracks and then, as they disappear, they appear to join in the distance. A very effective way of using two verticals. It doesn't really work with horizontals.

4. Diagonals

When composing, place diagonals from corner to corner in your image. By turning your camera by forty five degrees you can take a horizontal or vertical line and turn it into a diagonal.

You're going to find many more examples of lines in urban areas than in nature, because man likes things that are straight and angled. But, don't ignore nature, as you're going to find many striking examples there. For example, tall redwood trees or the horizon of a seascape. When getting in closer you'll find some great lines in nature.

The key to using lines in your photography is to find them where least expected. You don't have to shoot the same lines as everyone else. Find a unique viewpoint. As I said earlier by getting down very low and shooting up you'll increase you chances of getting a really good image.

My mantra throughout my photography is always to experiment and then practise, practise, practise. It takes time to develop and eye for lines but with practise it will soon become second nature and you'll find them popping up everywhere. Happy shooting!

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To learn how you can take your photography from ordinary to outstanding visit http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/21steps.htm

Wayne Turner has been teaching photography for 25 years and has written three books on photography.