Drawing Your Eye In: Leading Lines at Leven Beach

Hello Hello Hivians, fellow Hive photographers and #POBPhotoContest enthusiasts!

It's always a pleasure to participate in challenges that are run on Hive, I think they are what makes this blockchain of ours such a wonderful place. Entering and engaging gives us a community spirit that sets Hive apart from other web3 projects.

This week's theme in the #POBPhotoContest from @friendlymoose is "Leading Lines" and you can check the contest post here.

I have to confess that I had no real idea what this was. I assumed it was about pictures where the main subject are lines!

Away to Gemini I went and I became pleasantly surprised!

I found out that 'Leading Lines' is a technique that I subconsciously try to incorporate into many of my pictures when I’m out with my camera or phone camera.

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For my entry, I've chosen a shot taken on a crisp December morning down at Leven Beach in our wonderfully scenic Kingdom of Fife, Scotland.

This photograph was captured on the 5th of December 2024 at 10.06 am. In fact all the photographs that you see are all taken between 10am and 11am.

The light at that time of year even in mid-morning has a gorgeous feel to it. It's not harsh quality and can cast those long shadows that can really help define shapes and lines.

Leven Beach has these fluffing formidable concrete sea defences, that are a series of stepped barriers leading upto the sea wall against the North Sea.

While their primary purpose is functional, their repeating geometric shapes and strong lines offer the likes of you and me fantastic photographic opportunities. My eye was drawn to them whilst I was out walking even when sleeping beauty had long left just before 11am.

On this particular morning I was lucky and the tide was out exposing the wide expanse of sand.

Why the first image for "Leading Lines"?

What caught my eye was not just the structure itself which was full of lines and geometrical shapes. But also how people were interacting with it. Afterall with the Leading Lines technique the photograph is meant to guide the viewer's eye towards a specific subject or a point of interest.

In the contest shot an individual is taking a moment for himself nestled into the steps of the sea wall. With his brown clothing he blends into his surroundings!

Behind him in the distance, another figure can be seen. , Perhaps enjoying the view or a moment of quiet contemplation, or like me wondering what sleeping beauty was doing.

(I am going to use the #aap tag on this post, this by the way is another @friendlymoose initiative. These letters stand for Ask A Photographer and photographers could add this tag to their posts when they wanted constructive feedback on their photography posts.)

I am not a professional photographer, at best I am clicker who like to snap pictures. But I love to learn and I love to research!

This photo then for me embodies the essence of leading lines photography

Why do I say that?
The most prominent lines are formed by the strong diagonals of the concrete steps. Starting from the bottom corners of the photograph, these lines surge upwards and inwards, creating a powerful visual pathway. They don't just lie flat, I think they actively pull your gaze into the image.

But wait, there's more!!

The top edge of the sea wall I think acts as another leading line. It sweeps from the right side of the frame and curves away into the distance.

So then to summarise, both sets of leading lines – the steps and the top of the wall – converge. This effectively directs the viewer's attention straight to the main subject ~ sleeping beauty or the person relaxing on the steps.

I read somewhere that the "Leading Lines" technique can create a sense of depth and transform an ordinary scene into something far more engaging.

I was quite chuffed with the photograph, so what do you think?

Do the Leading Lines drag your eye to Sleeping beauty?

A Little about Leading Lines Photography

If like me you were or new to the concept of leading lines photography then let me share some of my research from Gemini my trusty research AI tool!

Leading lines photography is a compositional technique where the photographer uses natural or man-made lines within the scene to guide the viewer's eye, usually towards a specific subject or a point of interest. These lines can be anything – roads, pathways, fences, rivers, walls (like in my photo!), or even the arrangement of objects. The goal is to create a visual journey, adding depth, movement, and a clear focal point to your photograph. It’s a simple yet incredibly effective way to add structure and impact to your shots.

Thanks for checking out my entry for this week's #POBPhotoContest!

It was a fluffing good reminder to always be on the lookout for those lines that can elevate an image into a photograph that you are fluffing proud of!

Just to round out the post I am leaving you with the promenade that is on the other side of the sea wall! But yes in rough weather waves and spray do soak you if you are out walking!

What do you think? Was the first image your favourite?

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of your day!