Today, we are going to use a photography technique called 'leading lines'. A leading line can emphasize the subject of a photo or turn a boring background into something creative. With some creativity, it can turn the dullest photos into an eye-catching composition!

The leading line can be of naturally occuring elements (think tree lines, beach shores, rivers,... ) or they can be artificially placed (think train tracks, escalators, pipelines, ...). What's important is that this line enhances the composition of your photo and guides the viewer's eyes.

Leading lines do not necessarily have to be straight. They can also be curved or zig-zagged.

Have a look at this tutorial from The School of Photography:


In this video, the host deliberately choses a boring location for taking photos, just to show how leading lines can turn those photos into stunning compositions.

If you are looking for some inspiration, check out this contest we had on Pxleyes 10 years ago.

Good luck!

PS: It's very important to vote on every entry, the more votes we get, the more accurate the rankings will be. Also, when you see something on someone's entry that can be improved, let them know. That way, we can learn new skills from each other!

Staaan avatarLevel 20
Staaan

If you have any questions/suggestions/comments about this contest, reply to this comment!

Good luck! 👇

Olga.L avatarLevel 17Gold award
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Towards the Mountain created by Olga.L

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Olga.L avatarLevel 17Diamond awardHappy awardSilver award
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Lines that lead created by Olga.L

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Vibeke avatarLevel 12Bronze awardBronze award
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Target created by Vibeke

I named it 'Target' because the man is also pointing a camera at me.

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Olga.L avatarLevel 17
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Toil and Moil created by Olga.L

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Zig-Zag created by Olga.L

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Merlin avatarLevel 16
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Leading to the horse created by Merlin

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Leading to my love created by Merlin

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kyricom avatarLevel 13
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Sunshine Skyway (bridge) created by kyricom

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eugen avatarLevel 7
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Blessing created by eugen

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Vibeke avatarLevel 12
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circular stairs created by Vibeke

0.6 sec f3.5 ISO 800

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kyricom avatarLevel 13
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Coal Mine created by kyricom

Olga.L avatarLevel 17
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Birkenau Death Camp - Auschwitz created by Olga.L

Wayne-Cheah avatarLevel 12
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Light at the end of the tunnel created by Wayne-Cheah

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Around the Bend created by MyMindsEye

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Vibeke avatarLevel 12
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Never Ending Journey. created by Vibeke

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Leading to Snoopy created by Wayne-Cheah

Zizounai avatarLevel 16
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Terminal One created by Zizounai

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I'm not staying there! created by Zizounai

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Leading to the village created by Zizounai

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Zizounai avatarLevel 16
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L'Aiguillon created by Zizounai

Velya avatarLevel 9
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Marble staircase to the sky created by Velya

Bursa Ulu Mosque

kyricom avatarLevel 13
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Fluttering Lines created by kyricom

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eugen avatarLevel 7
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Axis created by eugen

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Laying Pipe created by Teecee

Leading us into the woods Canon 80D

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Leading to an explosion created by Wayne-Cheah

Merlin avatarLevel 16
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Birdy lines created by Merlin

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Leading to Mr. & Mrs. DUCK created by Merlin

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Unspecified specimen created by Teecee

Leading us around the train trestle 80D

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Arrivalines created by Merlin

Teecee avatarLevel 12
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Leading work crew to the ferry created by Teecee

Leading the work crew to the ferry 80D

Zizounai avatarLevel 16
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Low tide created by Zizounai

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eugen avatarLevel 7
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Castel Sant'Angelo created by eugen

kyricom avatarLevel 13
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Run for the Hills! created by kyricom

denlig avatarLevel 9
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From grass to sea created by denlig

Velya avatarLevel 9
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The splendor of the carpet pattern created by Velya

Bursa Ulu Mosque

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Teecee avatarLevel 12
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Entry without name created by Teecee

Leading to the house 80D

Teecee avatarLevel 12
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Nameless picture created by Teecee

Leading us into the woods 80D

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