Nature Photography Tips 8
Our nature photography tips so far have covered only straight lines. The next step is obviously curved lines. We’ll bundle up all possible curved lines into one quick lesson, as you can really only have an arc or an s-curve. Curved lines tend to express beauty and grace along with a sense of quietness, smoothness and dignity. Prominent curved lines invite the eye to travel along them in a relaxed and leisurely manner, noticing other details in the photo. This tends to get people to spend just a little more time looking at your composition, which is definitely a good thing!
This photo emphasizes the curved lines in these ancient stairstep ricefields in Japan. The red flowers along the edge bloom in the late summer just before the rice is harvested. I’m not sure what it is with red flowers. These flowers in Japan have a tradition that if you pick them, it will rain, just like the red bottle-brush in Hawaii.
Here’s a classic arc type example of curved lines. The mountain in the distance on the right is Mt. Unzen in Shimabara, Japan. You may remember years ago reading about a volcano in Japan that continued to release a pyroclastic flow off and on for over a year. The mayor of the town that was being systematically buried under the scalding volcanic dust determined not to shave until his town was back to normal. The poor man ended up with a beard down to his waist.
Nature Photography Tips:
As usual, look for curved lines in your nature photography files. Notice how the curved lines contribute to the beauty and dignity of the composition. Be aware of both s-curve and arc type curved lines when you are deciding on an angle to shoot from in the next few days. See if you can get the same subject with and without the curved line, and compare how you react to the photos.
Remember these quick photography tips, and you will be able to create great nature photography without much time or thought. Simply decide what you are trying to express, and then look for those types of lines.
- Vertical lines indicate strength and power.
- Horizontal lines suggest freedom and wide open spaces.
- Diagonal lines give an impression of movement and speed.
- Curved lines show grace, beauty and dignity.
Tags: curved lines, Japan, nature photography, photography tips
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Very helpful! I'll keep that in mind when taking scenic shots.
Great photos…your perspective is right on the money…
Debbie
I'm learning a huge amount from your site, thank you!
I've been checking your blog almost daily. Today's blog inspired me to write. I love the curved lines and the grace and dignity they give. I'll be trying to use that in my pictures now. You are really challenging me and encouraging me in my picture taking. Your macro blog really changed my way of seeing things, too.