Lines & shapes

You need to train your eye to look for lines and shapes within a scene; they’re the building blocks of your photograph, and can be used to add atmosphere to your images. Horizontal lines, for instance, are restful – think of a person asleep, or the distant horizon. Vertical lines, such as trees or skyscrapers, offer more dynamism, particularly when the shot is taken in portrait format to emphasise their height. The most powerful of all, however, is the diagonal; this is the line that cuts across your view, and leads you into the picture. It can be used to create a sense of depth and movement, and brings the flat plane of a photograph to life.

Square format shots tend to be less dynamic than rectangular ones, lending themselves to quiet landscapes. Here, the soft colours, high horizon and small focal point create an image thats simple and serene.

The vertical lines of the pillars meeting the curved shape above creates a powerful image. Notice that the curved line doesnt start or end right in the corners the photo isnt split in half.

Horizontal lines

Run the horizon directly through the centre of your frame, with an equal amount of sky and landscape on each side, and you're on the way to a dull photograph! Naturally, this isn't always the case, but its good practice to think about which element of your scene is more impressive, and move the horizon higher or lower to emphasise it. You can take this idea to extremes; to really bring out a stunning sunset, full of rim-lit, interesting clouds, find a subject that will make a striking silhouette, then render it small at the bottom of your frame. Layers of horizontal lines can provide a rhythm to your picture, think of a wave breaking on the shore, with more waves coming into view and the horizon in the background. This rhythm of lines can become the subject itself.

Vertical lines

Vertical lines are strong and dynamic. Combine them with horizontal lines to create more powerful images. When we think of vertical lines, we think of trees, buildings and people. If you want to emphasise the height and power of these elements, try switching to a vertical format you can then make the most of their size, while their strength will be mirrored by the longest sides of the frame. Conversely, you can make vertical lines seem as if they're bursting out of the picture if you opt for landscape format, running the top and bottom ends of the line out of the frame. One of the many advantages of going digital is that we can correct converging verticals with ease in post-production, further emphasising the impact of the vertical line.

Diagonal lines

These are the most interesting and visually exciting lines. They can lead you into the frame, and to the centre of interest, and as viewers we tend to take more notice of subjects cutting through our vision. Avoid splitting the frame directly in two by running a diagonal line from one corner to the other, as the picture tends to lose its drive. Its more interesting to have a diagonal that starts just to one side of a corner and continues through the frame to the other side of the opposite corner; youll have a more balanced image that works within the confines of the frame.

Shapes

The most active of shapes use diagonal lines. The triangle is an eye-catching building block for your picture; its three sides also introduce odd numbers into the photographic geometry. As well as triangular-shaped subjects, think about the structure of your photograph; are there three elements you could join together with imaginary lines to form a triangle? Squares and rectangles mirror the four sides of the picture frame; there's no conflict, so the viewing experience isn't as absorbing. However, they can be used alongside diagonals and triangles to produce a more exciting image. Similarly, combining circles or curved lines with straight lines produces great tension.

Here, the diagonal leads us from the focal point the nearest windmill into the picture to take in the other windmills. The flat lighting means the photo needs a strong graphic element.