Dynamic Diagonals

Several years ago, as I became interested in photography, I stumbled across a blog written by future Shutter Sister founder Tracey Clark in which she gave photography tips and advice. I learned so much from her about the basics of successful photography and was so inspired by her passion for the subject. Her way of teaching is relaxed, confident and down-to-earth which seemed so refreshingly different from the stuffy photo blogs I had been finding. I specifically remember one of the first tricks I learned from Tracey that really got my wheels turning: diagonal lines create a more interesting image. This can be done by tilting your camera to shift the horizon line, or by seeking out subject matter that already contains diagonal lines. I studied graphic design in college and we often discussed using diagonal lines to create more dynamic designs. It's a way to create movement within an image because the viewer's eye continues to shift around the page. So Tracey's suggestion to use it in photography clicked instantly with me. Now when I tilt my camera or find an interesting diagonal shot, I instantly think of Tracey and the way she helped spark my passion for photography.

Have you used this trick recently?

Comments

[Marcie]

Yes - the diagonal line is a powerful tool when composing images. Here are a couple of recent ones of mine:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2011/6/6/the-headmistress.html
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2011/6/11/you-and-me.html

[Kat Sloma]

What a cute kitty! Those green eyes are gorgeous. You are right the diagonal line makes this photo very interesting. Great topic, I love diagonals and find them all of the time in my images. I often like to play with lining them up on one of the corners. Here are a few shots where I played with diagonals more than normal by tilting the camera, it's so easy with an iPhone!
http://www.kateyeview.com/2011/06/night-at-la-scala-iphoneographic-essay.html

[p90x]

非常漂亮的宠物！

[camaca]

I totally believe in the diagonals, and most of times I framed almost without thinking with a diagonal view.

http://aifonejant.blogspot.com/view/flipcard/8871810255812566581/2011/06/el-marti-conjuntat-amb-el-terra.html
May be is not the best image I took, but it explains the concept of "diagonalism"

In this one, the diagonal is more on the complete composition:
http://aifonejant.blogspot.com/view/flipcard/3715410665236392753/2011/06/les-capses-de-llauna-vincon.html

[Chantal]

My 365 project is almost all diagonal

[Valerie]

Inspiring topic, thanks!
http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2011/05/the-easel.html

[Andrea]

I tried using a diagonal line yesterday:
http://www.andreahandl.de/?p=481

[Doris]

This is why I stalk this blog. Thought provoking posts. So are diagonal lines considered the same as leading lines? If so I have several:

Collecting leaves: http://dorisrudddesigns.wordpress.com/2010/09/25/september-25-2010-1/

Sparklers: http://dorisrudddesigns.wordpress.com/2010/07/05/july-3-2010-1/

[michelle]

i must try it more often, thanks.

i found a pic of mine with diagonal

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63632130@N04/5791166286/

[Rebecca Weaver]

Yes! I use diagonals all the time. Here is one of my latest shots: http://www.flickr.com/photos/56221446@N06/5828774003

[mae]

i'm such a sucker for the diagonal line and perhaps overuse it in my photography. but, as you show here, it is a powerful trick!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmaelee/5744353487/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmaelee/5603544605/

[lucy]

it is something i hadn't noticed before, but now looking at some of my own photos and some favorites by others, i see it a lot. great tip!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucyloomis/4970955912/

[indigo]

LOVE diagonals! Here's a recent one:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/indigo2087/5725724461/in/photostream

[Misty]

Here are some diagonals I took recently. I never really noticed until I looked for them in my stream.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/5797334584/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/5797330884/in/photostream/

[Becky Sue]

My goal wasn't a horizontal line but the spots on the legs of my dog, however, I did capture that horizontal line and a deck that desperately needs repair.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/5830843505/

[Tiffany in Topeka]

Oooh! I totally agree! I took this picture when I didn't really know what I was doing. (does that imply that I now know what I'm doing?? Only slightly more than I did!) It has always been a favorite of mine, but for a long time, I didn't understand why!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51181755@N02/4823135420/in/photostream/lightbox/

[Debra]

As a participant in Tracey's Picture Inspiration I have become more aware of the power of diagonal lines since they appeared as a prompt. Scanning my recent Flickr photos there are diagonals everywhere!

From self portraits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/manifeisty/5828424357/in/photostream

To still lifes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/manifeisty/5816765950/in/photostream

[kath]

Subtly in the first two photos - even a little shift in angle helps add some tension to the photo

http://www.soeursdujour.com/2011/05/dinner-party.html

[Jenni Bailey]

Oh my gosh, that shot makes me want a kitty. So cute!

I am usually a pretty straightforward shooter but sometimes I arrange a diagonal without even realizing it. Almost always to a positive end. :)

http://jennibailey.com/?p=559

[meegan]

I love the diagonal!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meeganz/5748149839/in/photostream

[Jennifée]

Thanks for this reminder of something I really should practice more in my photography. Here is a recent one where I remembered:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennifee/5649448508/in/set-72157613848729500

[Leanne]

I agree, a slight angle to make a diagonal often makes a pic more interesting, like in the top photo in this post.
http://knowwheretostand.blogspot.com/2011/06/stop-for-drink.html

[kristin]

This is one of my favorite shots from my early Spring walk through Park City, UT
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kkleinrn/5754452134/in/photostream

[Pat]

I love the diagonal line too!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7992043@N06/5228185098/in/set-72157625517705480

[cara]

on my shot from yesterday's prompt AND this one too: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cararosephotos/5767985601/

[lifeineden]

So funny. I read this early this morning, then didn't get to shooting til late in the evening. You must have really influenced my subconscious -- cause this is what I found when I downloaded
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32837589@N07/5833941895/in/photostream/

[p90x]

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[LuLu]

I love using diagonal lines. I first learned about it from my mom when I started getting more serious about taking pictures an then in my photography class.

I loved one that I got last week: http://acandidlife.blogspot.com/2011/06/choo-choo.html

PS - cute kitty! Looks like mine - http://acandidlife.blogspot.com/2011/01/meet-ed.html

[Microsoft Office 2007]

Yeah, i do have used this trick recently!
http://windows7sp1.org/

[Tricia]

Thank you for the advice, I just took this the other day
http://triciafines.shutterchance.com/blog.php

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