Line
A line is an identifiable path through the visual space of the image. It is one dimensional and has more length than thickness. It can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, zigzagged, or curved. It can be thick or thin. It has a psychological impact on the viewer. This impact changes with the line’s direction and weight. Lines can be either implied or actual.
Table of Contents
Vertical Lines |
Horizontal Lines |
Horizontal lines, being parallel to the earth, often suggest a feeling of rest, stability, and calm.
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The horizontal lines of the buildings in the background, the rock wall at water's far edge, the bridge in the far mid-ground, the bench, the lines around the flowerbed, and the flowerbed itself all suggest feelings of rest, stability, and calm.
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Vertical and Horizontal Lines |
Vertical and Horizontal lines when used together create a sense of stability, solidity, permanence, and reliability.
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The vertical and horizontal lines of the shoji doors along with their reflection on the still water of the indoor hot spring create a sense of stability, permanence, and reliability.
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Diagonal Lines |
Diagonal lines convey a feeling of instability and movement. Objects in a diagonal position are unstable. Being neither vertical nor horizontal, they create the feeling that they are either about to fall or are already in motion.
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The diagonal lines of the crosswalk and the implied diagonal lines of the motion blurred vehicles creates a sense of movement.
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Implied Lines |
Implied lines do not physically exist. Rather they exist only in the mind’s eye. They may be defined by the mental connection of two or more elements that are visually attractive, similar in shape, or in close proximity to each other. They guide the viewer’s eye through the visual space of the image. In photographs, the line of sight of the subject(s) tend to create implied lines which cause the viewer to look where the subject is looking.
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The line of sight and or the line of movement of the subject creates implied lines which cause the viewer to look where the subject is looking and feel the subject's movement. In this image, of a green sea turtle looking and moving up, the implied lines created by both its gaze and its movement makes the viewer feel the turtle's diagonally upward movement.
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