Using Lines & Shapes

I am very fond of using lines and shapes when composing my wildlife, nature and all other images.

This can be anything from the various obvious to an imaginary line created by an animals intended direction of movement. I have started working through all my RAW images from our trip to Namibia and two images that showed interesting lines and shapes stood out immediately.

I felt that they both had a little more 'character' in black and white and love the results.

This shot of Adele was taken as the sun was setting in Helmeringshauzen. The outline on her profile was accentuated by the last rays of sun. The curves of her face combined with the horizontal line that splits the frame makes this a striking image.

This image was taken in the St Lucia wetlands. The flowing S-curve and different textures of the shore of the Estuary made for a very interesting black & white image.

You can use lines like this to create striking stand alone images or to help draw your viewer's gaze towards your intended focal subject. In the image below the curving shoreline leads your gaze directly to the crocodile.

A pretty plain and simple image but made just that little more interesting by using the lines that was available.

When you look around you will find that their are lines, shapes and textures everywhere. I captured this last image in the Kwamadwala Game Reserve.

The rolled up Millipede makes for an in interesting shape and different textures.

Lines & shapes can 'make' images out of nothing or make an average image great.

For me it was great to spend the last few weeks with Glen and Pieter who are also both quite 'obsessed' photographers. By shooting the same landscapes and scenes we were able to share ideas and different ways of approaching a scene or subject. It is great to share ideas and learn from each other and I find it quite sad that there are people who do not want to share their work, ideas and goals. Surely we can all learn from each other?

As always I look forward to hearing from you!

Until next time.

Gerry