Take it yourself

Leading lines can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal or curved. Any camera can be used – it’s all about finding and arranging these lines so that they lead towards your subject

EQUIPMENT

DSLR Use a wide-angle lens (16–35mm) to capture leading lines that are in your immediate vicinity. Use a telephoto lens (70–400mm) to isolate leading lines that are further away from you.

SETTINGS

Keep the entire scene, and thus the entire line, in focus by using Aperture Priority or Manual mode and setting a narrow aperture (f/10–f/16). Don’t stop down your aperture to as small as it can go (explained on the next page in ‘Know your Stuff’). Adjust your shutter speed and ISO accordingly.

PRACTICAL

Start training your eye to look for linear elements wherever you go. Look for clear, graphic lines like roads, fences, pathways, ripples in the sand… The more you look, the more you will notice. Question where the line leads to. Ideally, towards an interesting part of the scene or towards your subject. The power of your leading line is wasted if it doesn’t lead the viewer’s eye anywhere worth noting. Isolate leading lines so that they are easily distinguishable from the rest of your scene and are not obstructed by another element. Zoom in or physically move to exclude any elements that don’t work. STARTER TIP Set your tripod just below thigh-height to accentuate leading lines close to your camera. AMATEUR TIP Use lines for their best energy effect. Vertical lines add a feeling of strength to your image, horizontal lines ‘flatten’ and calm the scene, and diagonal lines add a feeling of energy and movement. Tight ‘S’ curves add tension, while slow, lazy ‘S’ curves have a feeling of tranquillity. PRO TIP Combine leading lines with the Rule of Thirds. Place your main subject a third of the way into your frame and look for a leading line that directs towards that point.