The use of lines is effective in adding structure to an image. Lines appear between areas of light and dark, especially at the edge of the subject seen against the background and in the limbs. Lines can be definite, such as the edge of the body, or implicit, such as the imaginary line between two distinct points of interest.
There are many kinds of lines, and keeping them straight can be a task. But once you learn to recognize them, they become another tool for building composition.
Here are a few kinds of lines:
- Diagonal and Oblique
- Leading Lines (a.k.a. Lines of Force)
- Irregular Lines (interconnected segments of various line types)
- Parallel vs. Perpendicular
- Curved vs. Straight
- Horizontal and Vertical
Lines within a visual presentation form relationships with one another. When formed by arms and legs, lines can be parallel or perpendicular. Lines form relationships with the picture frame (the edges of the photograph). They can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
