How Do Lines Lead?

Leading lines can be a complex tool for many photographers. They're without a doubt, the most unique of the five composition tools we've looked at over the past few weeks. Sometimes, they confuse me, as an experienced athletic photographer. Finding them isn't always easy, but you know a photo with leading lines when you see them. They can create wholly unique experiences not a single other photo can recreate. Lets look at a few and learn how to lead your lines right to the point.

Eyes on the Horizon

This photo is a great example of using some natural leading lines to direct the attention of our viewer, similar to some of the other techniques we've talked about. Here, we use three different layers of "horizontal lines" to bring the attention of the viewer to where these lines meet.

The different lines we use in this photo are the skyline, tree line, horizon on the turf, and the yard marker lines near the feet of our subject. These leading lines create an effect that focuses our eye on where every line meets, which is exactly where we place our subject. Therefore, we can command the attention of our viewers to where we as photographers want them to.

Leading Lines Lead the Way

This photo plays on almost every technique we've looked at which we'll look at next week. Here, the leading lines of the two offensive and defensive lines lead right up to our subject, bringing the attention of the photo to the back utilizing two natural "lines" both ending right where our subject begins. However, we can't always rely on natural lines ending to put a subject. Beforehand, I had to adjust the location of where I was taking photos and had to drop to my knees to get these to line up. Leading Lines are something you have to earn as a photographer.

5 Composition Tips for Sports Photography - Lloyd Belcher Visuals