USING LINES & SHAPES IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY
Photos are about individual preferences, but there are a few rules of photo composition that can help build a foundation of a great photo that you can turn into a canvas photo print. One of the key things to look for when composing a photo is ‘lines and different shapes’. It is helpful to train your eyes to look for lines and shapes. They can be a powerful element that can lead to a significant impact on your photo. It can be helpful to add lines and shapes to add mood and atmosphere to your finished product or creating a desired effect. They can be useful in either leading the eye’s to a part of your image, or leading the eyes from one part to another.
Using lines and shapes takes some practice and it is often helpful to go back through previous photos you have taken to see what has worked and what hasn’t worked. Have a look at all the lines and shapes that you can use including horizontal, vertical and diagonal. Using these rules will add to your finished print.
Using Horizontal Lines
Horizontal lines can be useful in creating photos that are calming. They can have the ability to convey restfulness and stability. An example of this can be a foal sleeping in flowers. The most common horizontal lines to be found in photographs are normally horizons, but be careful not to run the horizon directly through the centre of the photograph dividing the equal amounts of the sky and landscapes. This may often have a negative effect and could create a dull image. Although this is not always the rule. It is great practice to pick out out the more impressive part of your scene, for example sunsets with interesting clouds. It is worth noting that broken horizons may lead to a dull feeling photograph.
Look for layers of horizontal lines to add rhythm to your photo, for example layers of rolling waves. The rhythm can than become the focus or subject of the photo itself.
Another good tip when using horizontal lines is to try it to try to keep the lines square with the edges of you frame and to also shoot your image in a horizontal format. Adding horizontal lines into your image can really make a difference to how your photo print to canvas will enhance the mood .
Vertical Lines in Your Image
Vertical lines can convey a variety of different moods from grandeur and dignity to power. Objects such as skyscrapers and trees represent horizontal lines. Combined with horizontal lines they can create a strong and powerful picture. . If you really want to emphasize the dynamics of the vertical line, try taking your photos in a vertical plane. Although, with photography this can be considered not always the rule. If you want the lines to appear as if they are bursting out of the top of the picture, it then becomes useful to leave your camera in a landscape format. Take your photo so that the lines move from the bottom to the top of your picture.
Using Diagonal Lines
Diagonal lines that are used in your picture are sometimes considered the most interesting. They represent movement and speed. They can lead you into the frame of the image and to the centre of interest. A good trick is to avoid splitting the frame of your image in two by running diagonal lines from one corner of the picture to the other. This may cause the image to lose it’s drive. To achieve a more balanced photo within the confines of your frame try to create a diagonal that starts just to one side of the corner and continues to the one side of the opposite corner. Curved lines within your frame can also be representative of moods such as grace and dignity.
If you really want to add an interest to your finished photo print look for different ways to include interesting diagonal lines into your image. Remembering the different moods and feelings that they can convey.
Using Shapes in Your Image
Shapes are basic two dimensional elements in the composition of your photos. You can use different shapes to achieve different moods within your picture. Shapes can include anything from triangles to odd numbers to create photographic geometry. Shapes such as squares and rectangle can be less interesting as they basically mirror the frame of the image, so it lacks interesting conflict. Make them more creative and use them with diagonals and triangles to create a more dynamic image. Shapes can also be made more interesting by placing them against a contrasting background for example a red triangular tent against a snowy white backdrop. A ideal use of shapes are also silhouettes. The use straight lines and circles or curved lines and can have a ability to create tension in your photo.
Conclusion
Shapes and lines can add a very dynamic and interesting element to you photo composition, so next time you have your camera out keep in mind these basic elements. To find out about printing your photo to canvas visit Canvas Prints Online.
Great tips!!