USING LINES AND SHAPES TO CREATE INTERESTING PHOTOS
Photos are about personal tastes, but there are a few rules of photo composition that can help build a foundation of a great photo that you can print on canvas. One of the key elements to look for when creating 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 building block that can have a dynamic impact on your image. Lines and shapes are useful in adding mood and atmosphere to your finished product or creating a desired effect. They can be useful in leading the eyes from one part to another or leading the eye to a particular part of your image or another part.
Using lines and shapes takes a little practice and it is often useful to go back through previous images 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 powerful in creating photos that are calming. They can have the ability to convey stability and restfulness. An example of this would 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 adverse effect and could create a dull image. Although this is not always considered the rule. A great practice to select the more impressive part of your scene, for example sunsets with dramatic 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 picture, for example layers of rolling waves. The rhythm can than become the focus or subject of the image 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 look .
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. If you want to create a very strong and dynamic picture combine vertical lines with horizontal lines. If you really want to emphasize the power of the vertical line, try switching your camera to the vertical plane. Although, as with all photography this can be considered only a guide. If you want the lines to appear as if they are bursting out of the top of the photo, it then becomes useful to leave your camera in a landscape format. Take your picture so that the lines move from the bottom to the top of your image.
Diagonal Lines
Diagonal lines that are used in your photo are often considered the most interesting. They represent movement and speed. They can lead you into the frame of the picture and to the centre of interest. A good idea 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 picture 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 incorporate 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. A shape such as a square or rectangle that mirrors the basic frame of the picture doesn’t have much interesting conflict, so can create a less interesting picture. Make them more creative and use them with diagonals and triangles to create a more interesting picture. 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 great use of shapes are also silhouettes. The use straight lines and curved lines or circles and can have a ability to create tension in your picture.
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 keys. To find out about printing your photo to canvas visit Canvas Prints Online.
