Day Four: “Natural World” — Leading Lines

A good photographer is a constant observer. Out in nature, we have opportunities to watch and study a scene, from big, sweeping changes — like the sky at dusk — to the tiniest details, like the subtle bends in bare branches in the Nevada desert:

Today, capture the natural world: snap a moment outside, big or small. From a close-up of a leaf in your backyard to a panorama from your morning hike, we invite you to document this wondrous world around us.

Today’s Tip: While shooting outdoors, look for natural lines that lead your eyes to different parts of the frame. Study the bend of a stream, or the curve of a petal. How can you use these lines in your composition?

It takes time to train your eyes to look for leading lines. Look for strong vertical, horizontal, or diagonal lines in your setting, as well as curves and shapes that draw your eye toward certain parts of your photo. In the image above, the smooth lines that make up Arizona’s famous slot canyon, Antelope Canyon, direct your eyes around the frame — the curve starting at the top left, in particular, leads your eye gently down to the center of the photo.

Do you see any leading lines in your scene? Can you change their direction, or can you play with the orientation of your image, to create a more dynamic composition? Or, another challenge: can you apply — or break — the Rule of Thirds?

Today, I wanted to alert you on some special things to help you with taking photos, using “leading lines”. The first item that would help you is: A tripod (click this word). This is one thing that every serious photographer should just have with them all the time. Click this link: tripod and see the amazing selection.

Another accessory that most photographers have is a filter that you put on your lens: Click: lens filter to see and read about all the things a filter will do.