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Dynamic Diagonals

June 14, 2011 By Paige Balcer

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

  1. Marcie says

    June 14, 2011 at 8:11 am

    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

  2. Kat Sloma says

    June 14, 2011 at 8:13 am

    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

  3. p90x says

    June 14, 2011 at 8:27 am

    非常漂亮的宠物!

  4. camaca says

    June 14, 2011 at 8:29 am

    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

  5. Chantal says

    June 14, 2011 at 8:46 am

    My 365 project is almost all diagonal

  6. Valerie says

    June 14, 2011 at 9:29 am

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

  7. Andrea says

    June 14, 2011 at 9:33 am

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

  8. Doris says

    June 14, 2011 at 10:39 am

    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/

  9. michelle says

    June 14, 2011 at 10:43 am

    i must try it more often, thanks.

    i found a pic of mine with diagonal

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

  10. Rebecca Weaver says

    June 14, 2011 at 10:45 am

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

  11. mae says

    June 14, 2011 at 11:27 am

    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/

  12. lucy says

    June 14, 2011 at 11:56 am

    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/

  13. indigo says

    June 14, 2011 at 12:52 pm

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

  14. Misty says

    June 14, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    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/

  15. Becky Sue says

    June 14, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    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/

  16. Tiffany in Topeka says

    June 14, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    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/

  17. Debra says

    June 14, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    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

  18. kath says

    June 14, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    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

  19. Jenni Bailey says

    June 14, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    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

  20. meegan says

    June 14, 2011 at 6:54 pm

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

  21. Jennifée says

    June 14, 2011 at 8:12 pm

    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

  22. Leanne says

    June 14, 2011 at 10:33 pm

    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

  23. kristin says

    June 14, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    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

  24. Pat says

    June 14, 2011 at 11:58 pm

    I love the diagonal line too!

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

  25. cara says

    June 15, 2011 at 1:55 am

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

  26. lifeineden says

    June 15, 2011 at 1:56 am

    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/

  27. p90x says

    June 15, 2011 at 2:23 am

    http://www.p90xdvdorder.com

  28. LuLu says

    June 15, 2011 at 3:05 am

    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

  29. Microsoft Office 2007 says

    June 16, 2011 at 2:53 am

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

  30. Tricia says

    June 16, 2011 at 2:49 pm

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

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