Vertical lines add movement and energy to an image. If you want to de-emphasize it, select vertical framing. If you want to emphasize the calm, pastoral effect of your horizontal landscape, choose horizontal framing. Watch for those subtle, implied horizontal lines, such as pastures and gently rolling fields. The still reflection also helped to reduce the impact of the shoreline and the results were a tranquil scene, in spite of the saturated reds of the aspen leaves. For this autumn image of the aspens along a lake in the Eastern Sierra, CA (Figure 1: Aspens, Grant Lake, California ), I placed the horizon line in the upper third of the image. Incorporate objects (mountains, rocks, trees) that break up the line and add visual interest, and place your horizon off-center for more impact, unless you are aiming for absolute symmetry. The most common occurrence is the horizon itself, and if unbroken, it creates a rather static composition. Fields, gentle rolling hills, lakes, rivers and ocean scenics are just a few subjects that often exhibit strong horizontal lines. Horizontal lines produce a stationary, pastoral feeling. Three types of lines exist – horizontal, vertical, and diagonal – and all of them create a different amount of movement or energy in a photograph and therefore a different effect. When used effectively, they lead us into and through the scene, moving us along a visual path. Lines are perhaps the most common element in nature. How do we translate these elements into successful photo images, and how do we “find” them? Let’s begin by looking at each element. lines, patterns) will exist in a scene you are photographing.
By artfully including existing design elements, you can create a photograph with higher visual impact, regardless of whether it’s a wildlife, landscape, or close-up subject.įrequently, the design itself can become the main focus of the photograph, and many times, more than one design element (e.g. They help to create an expressive image, often bringing movement, structure, balance, and visual contrast together in one outstanding photograph. These design elements are the core of a graphically pleasing photograph. Lines, shapes, patterns, and textures appear in both the intimate scene and in the grand landscape.
The elements of design exist in abundance in nature.