We hear all the time that it is important to consider line and form in photography. However, it is rare that someone is specific about exactly what this means. Here are several tips for using lines to improve your pictures and make maximum impact just like the pros do.

• Use lines to emphasize and de-emphasize different elements.

  Leading lines are called this for a reason; the photographer can use them to lead to the eye to a particular subject, making it more important within that particular photo. This by proxy de-emphasizes other parts of the photograph. Lines occur in both nature and in manmade settings, such as crop lines, fences, and roads. Use these and other elements to lead the eye to certain elements, effectively taking viewers on a journey into your mind.

• Use lines to portray emotion or to add emotion into a ‘dry’ photograph.

  Like color, line can be used to invoke emotion. Different lines give people different feelings. Here is a short primer on using line in this way.

• Horizontal lines create calm, natural feelings. Think about ocean-scapes and other landscapes dominated by horizontal lines; most make us feel rested and at ease. If anything, they can even be dull and boring. This may be why we see these lines so often in the background of portraits. Horizontal lines are good for creating patterns in more artistic photographs as well; just remember the rule of thirds and be careful to create the all important balance.
• Vertical lines give a sense of power and growth. Trees, skyscrapers, and turrets: all are very different yet create the same sense of wonder in viewers. We feel small and powerless next to very tall things, so they seem larger and more powerful by comparison. Use these types of lines when you want to inspire awe in your viewer, and keep in mind that the effect is intensified by multiple lines in close proximity. Again, be sure to consider the Rule of Thirds when using these lines, to avoid having a cluttered picture or visually cutting the photo into sections.
• Converging lines give a sense of scale. When these are symmetrical and relatively even, they can help create a sense of scale and/or distance. Think of power lines, fences, and stairs. They all help the viewer to gage length and width carefully, which can be a great tool in photographs that are emphasizing either a very large or very small scale.
• Diagonal lines add depth. Not only do these add physical depth, they add emotional depth as well. If the line is straight, it draws the eye through the photo, while adding a curve or wavelike shape creates an overall sense of movement. Because we tend in Western culture to look at a photo from left to right, moving diagonal lines from the bottom left to the top right is often best for creating a very attractive sense of beauty and symmetry in your photograph.
• Curvy and S-shaped lines imply elegance and femininity. From violins to the female form itself, many of the things that we associate either with women or with upscale elegance have s-shaped curves and other wavy lines. A winding line of any type creates a sense of flow and serenity, but that deep s-shaped curve will bring in elements of sensuality and good form. This type of line can be beautiful or completely unattractive depending on the subject of your photo, so use it with care.

• Practice capturing lines by themselves.

  Before you can effectively use lines as a background or foreground, you must learn how to capture them correctly. Look around your world for different combinations of lines and different materials. Take pictures of these from a variety of angles and vantage points. This will help you master lines, and later use them as elements of more complex photographs. It will also train your eye to instinctively recognize scenes with good ‘bones’.

• Try different lenses.

  Nowhere is this more effective than in lines that travel from very near to very far away, usually converging at some point in the distance. You can create an interesting and artistic sense of depth by positioning yourself between two of the lines and then using a wide angle lens to create a sense of space. In general, wide angle lenses will exaggerate space when used in conjunction with lines because they make things that are up close appear larger, but don’t convey this effect over the rest of the photograph.

• Provide contrast to add interest.

  As you can imagine, many lines are accentuated by the use of other, contrasting lines, especially if these are in a different color or texture. Using contrasting lines in your photograph can be interesting enough of a visual image that no other subject is needed.

• Keep it simple.

  While using a variety of lines can add interest, too many elements can result in a chaotic and confusing image. There is a fine line between ‘just right’ and ‘too much’, and only practice will help you learn to identify it consistently. This is especially true if you are using the lines in question as a background and not as the actual subject.

• Practice whenever possible.

  As with any photographic or artistic technique, the only way to master the use of lines in photography is to practice over and over in a wide range of settings. Keep a camera on you at all times and start taking it out whenever you notice one of the types of line that we have talked about. Before you know it, working effectively with line will be second nature, something that you adjust for without even thinking about it.

Using good lines in photography comes naturally to some people, but most of us need to learn this technique just as we would take care to learn anything else. Hopefully, this guide to using lines to add beauty and meaning to your work will lead to huge improvements in your work.

Some of the most visually impactful pictures are close-up of everyday objects. While almost anyone can take a beautiful picture of a sunset, taking an amazing picture of an insect on a leaf is not so easy. Close ups require special attention to focus, lighting, and exposure.

The most critical aspect of creating an amazing close up photograph is practice. Slight changes in the camera become huge alterations in the final product. Sometimes the key to a great photograph, especially as a beginner, is to take dozens of pictures and see which ones turn out the way you were hoping. While specialized equipment can play a critical role in these photos I am going to focus on advice anyone can utilize.

Composition/Background

The background is important in any photograph, but it a close-up that is critical and depends on how the scene is set. Here are two tips that can help create a stunning close up photograph. The first is to keep the subject brighter than the background. Additionally, for the majority of close up you want the background to be just one or two colors to avoid distractions form your subject.

One option to obtain the perfect background is to make your own. First take a picture of a leaf or grass, print out that picture and place it behind your subject. So maybe this seems a little like cheating, after all you don’t have the fully natural environment around your subject. But if it is well done, no one will ever be able to tell the difference.

Lens selection

If all you have is a basic digital camera with a zoom feature you can take good close up pictures. If you fall in love with this type of photography you will probably want to change the lens. 50mm, 60mm, and 100mm lens allow you to get closer to your subject. Another option is to purchase a set of screw on close up lens.

Tripod

Close up photography tends to exaggerate camera motion. Many amateur photographers are surprised to see a blurry close up photo. Of course, some photographers naturally have amazingly steady hands. For the rest of us a tripod will greatly increase the quality of our photos.

Focus

Focus is probably the second most important element to great close-up photography. There are two basic elements to great focus. The first is focusing on the most critical element in the picture. For example, focus on the eye of the bird or on the center of the flower. The second element is to set your lens at a small aperture, (f/11 to f/22) for good depth-of-field.

Practice

Finally, the most important element in exceptional close up photography is practice. Practice on everyday objects hundreds of times before setting up the perfect outdoor wildlife photograph. If you are planning a special trip perfect your technique before leaving. If you feel that your close up photography still leaves something to be desired ask for advice from an expert. As with all photography have fun! It may take months of practice to perfect the techniques required to have your close up look the way you want but enjoy the process of learning.

There are a number of ways to approach photography, however, one choice that exists no matter what approach an individual takes is setting the scene. With choices ranging from choosing the best angle to getting the right lighting, choosing a scene for a picture is as important as the equipment you use.

While technology can help overcome some of the flaws that will occur, a better bet is to spend some timing planning on exactly what scene you want to set. While there will probably never be a perfect scene, some thought and preparation are sure to help. The following tips will help you understand what it takes to make a great scene for a great picture.

1. Plan Ahead

If you know you are going to be taking pictures, taking the time to think about the images you want will help a great deal. If you are going to be out in the forest ask your subjects to wear clothes that shoe an outdoors style. If you are going to be on a beach, make sure to bring some beach props. By taking a few minutes to consider this kind of thing, you will find that setting the scene becomes a lot easier.

2. Remain Flexible

Every photographer gets the image of the perfect shot in their head. In fact, some photographers get such a strong image, they find it almost impossible to change their mind even when the shot is obviously not going to work out the way they had envisioned. While this dedication to perfection is admirable, the best photographers remain flexible and willing to work around circumstances such as crying children photos, bad lighting or professional lighting, and other things.

3. Use the Weather

All to often people decide against a photography shoot simply because the weather is less than ideal. However, weather presents a great way to make your images seem more natural. By capturing images that have weather elements in them, the picture itself looks more real, and thus more memorable. Showing children lifting their heads up to the rain, a man holding his hat on against the wind, or any number of similar images give your photography a authentic and natural look.

4. Use Buildings and Other Structures

A woman leaning against a sunny wall, A young man leaning against a bus shelter, or a group of children at play in the street are all great images that use buildings and structures that can be found everywhere. As you set the scene for your shoot, make sure not to overlook these props, they can add a quality to your images that you will never find in a studio.

5. Candid Moments Create Memories

Some of the best photographs ever taken where snapped when the subject was unaware the lens was focused on them. A engaged couple looking whimsically at each other or a father spinning his child around are both examples of candid moments. While they may not have the polished look of some pictures, they will create memories that can last a lifetime.

The above tips pertain to working outdoors. While this is an essential part of photography to master, working within the studio is also very important. The main advantage the studio provides is an ability to really plan ahead and the following tips should help even experienced photographers get the most out of setting the scene for a photo shoot.

6. Arrange Props Ahead of Time

Any photographer will tell you that props are an important part of studio photography. They will also tell you that one of the things that can make a photo shoot turn out badly is not having the right props for the scene. Imagine shooting engagement pictures without having flowers ready, or shooting school photos and not having a football for the star player to hold. While many people will bring their own props, this is not something you can count on and is why having an assortment of props ready ahead of time can help a shoot be successful.

7. Keep Scene Changes Fluid

Very few shoots use only a single scene. By making sure you have your scene changes well planned out, they become much more conductive to the overall shoot. Nothing can ruin a shoot quicker than the subjects loosing interest or becoming irritated by to much time in between scenes. Keep furniture on rollers, make sure blocks are light and easy to move, and have your lighting set up for each scene ahead of time. By doing this you will find moving in between scenes becomes a fast and fluid process.

8. Suggest “Costumes” Ahead of Time

What a subject wears will often make or break a shoot. When you are arranging for the session make sure to give the subject some suggestions on what kind of clothes to bring. Also encourage them to think a bit about going off the beaten path. For example if you are doing prom pictures have them bring along not only the formal wear, but some informal wear as well. By having a variety of things to choose from you can make a photography session very unique.

9. Select Camera Angles Before the Shoot

As you are preparing the scenes and props for the shoot, take some time to experiment with different camera angles. While you probably already know what a particular angle will look like, there is always a chance that you will find something unique through experimentation that you have not seen before.

10. Imperfection Can be Perfect

No matter how well prepared you are, there will always be something that doesn’t work out according to plan. Don’t let this cause you a problem. Sometimes the best shoots are those that have small imperfections in them. When something unusual happens, remember to work with it the best you can and not get to worried about the details.