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Photography vocabulary · Composition

Leading lines

Meaning in photography, with examples

nounCommon term

In photography, leading lines means: Lines in a scene, such as roads, rivers, fences or walls, that guide the viewer's eye through the photo, often toward the main subject.

In Turkish: yönlendirici çizgiler, öncü çizgiler

How it is used

A classic composition technique, usually taught together with the rule of thirds. Photographers look for and use leading lines, especially in landscape, architecture and street photography.

Example sentences

  1. The pier makes perfect leading lines toward the lighthouse.

  2. Get down low so the railway tracks become strong leading lines.

Common collocations

  • strong leading lines
  • use leading lines
  • natural leading lines
  • compositionThe way the elements of a photo, such as people, lines, shapes and empty space, are arranged inside the frame.
  • rule of thirdsA composition guideline that divides the frame into nine equal parts with two horizontal and two vertical lines, and places important elements on or near those lines.
  • camera angleThe position and height from which the camera looks at the subject, for example from above, at eye level or from below.
  • landscape photographyPhotography of natural scenery such as mountains, coasts, forests and skies, usually showing a wide view of the place.

More terms: Composition

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