Photography 1: The Art of Photography

Project: Lines
Exercise: Curves

Curves, like diagonals, have a sense of movement and direction.  Because they pull the eye, they are useful in a planned composition.  Curves have associations with smoothness, grace and elegance, and so add these feelings to an image.  For this exercise I looked for and took four photographs using curves to emphasise movement and direction.

1772.jpg; Pentax Optio A20; F2.8

The line of parked cars in this photograph leads the eye into the image.  The curve imparts some movement to the image.

1774.jpg; Pentax Optio A20; F4.3

In this image the concentric lines of the roadway, railings and the avenue of trees reinforce each other.  A strong sense of movement is felt.

1778.jpg; Pentax Optio A20; F2.8

In this image the spiral shaped topiary add grace and elegance to a otherwise static composition.

1780.jpg; Pentax Optio A20; F4.3

The curve formed by the line of the branch of the tree in the photograph helps to lead the eye in an upwards direction.  It also adds some movement to the image.


What have I learned from this exercise?

Curves, because they pull the eye, are useful in planned composition.  Curves have associations of smoothness, grace and elegance, and add these feelings to an image.  An S-shape or winding curve is very appealing to the eye and creates natural balance.  It is ideal for leading the viewer through the image, passing all the elements you want them to notice along the way.  The most obvious examples are curving paths, roads or rivers, but it is also possible to obtain the same effect using the more subtle curves and S-shapes made by light and dark areas in a scene.  Shadows cast from the natural contours of the land will direct the eye through the frame, as will the placement of objects that follow a curving line.