Learning Leading Lines
Some research on leading lines and symmetry
Leading lines are implied paths that guide a viewer through the image. They are used by photographers to create focus in and structure the composition of photos. The example above uses the border between two areas of contrasting value (light and dark) to create a diagonal leading line which ends at the main subject of the photo—the person sitting on the sand. This photo effectively uses value and chroma to create a dreamlike and eye-grabbing setting with strong and interesting composition.
In this picture the sharp cracks in the ice act like strong diagonal lines, pulling the viewer toward the mountain peak. The shape of the mountain itself also exhibits strong symmetry, which further bolsters the structure of the photo's composition. Additionally, the use of these highly contrasting dark teals and whites further emphasizes the leading lines, helping to pull the viewer in.
In this photograph, the curving multilane highway acts as a leading line, sweeping from the lower left corner toward the glowing city skyline at sunset. The photograph is balanced by the warm light and radial sunbeams that anchor the distant focal point. The highway continues across the frame drawing the eye toward the city skyline, while the light of the sun adds depth to the photograph.