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Nature Photography Tips 6

Our last nature photography tip was about diagonal lines. Multiple parallel diagonal lines bring a picture to life, and add a three dimensional aspect. Diagonal lines in various directions provide even more action, but the most dramatic use of parallel lines in nature photography involves one single line dividing the photo into two distinct areas.

In this photo we have one heavily laden branch of a persimmon tree. These persimmons are far too puckery to eat, and become sweet only after being peeled and dried in the sun. In Japan you can often see strings of them hanging from farmhouse rafters. They are especially photogenic, because they hang from the tree long after the leaves have all fallen.

I tried several different angles for this shot. dividing the photo vertically with persimmons on one side and blue sky on the other was effective, but stationary. Filling the photo with persimmons was just too heavy and cluttered. I then followed this photography tip. The single diagonal line gave the effect I wanted. It adds an element of vibrant life to the photo.

The most dramatic use of the single diagonal line involves having a completely different color or texture on either side of the line.

This simple example of nature photography does just that. The red maple leaves contrast sharply with the blue sky, but the theme is so simple that it might not be very interesting if the photo was cut vertically or horizontally.

Nature Photography Tip:

Try adding the single dividing diagonal line to your nature photography repertoire. Experiment with this concept, and try to one each of a very simple two textured photo, and a more complicated composition incorporating the same technique.

Tags: diagonal line, nature photography, persimmon, photography tip

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