Photo club will discuss Leading Lines

By Rex Dolby

The Van Wert Area Photography Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Elks Lodge, located along the Van Wert-Decatur Road, just west of the city limits.  Leading Lines will be the topic of discussion that evening.  All who attend are invited to bring an image on a jump drive that illustrates the topic. If this isn’t an option for you, bring a photo.

A leading line guides the eye into the picture to the main point of interest. This point, area, or subject holds the viewer’s attention in the picture, and without it, the eye would continue to follow the line out of the picture.

This line may be a horizontal, vertical, or slanted straight line, or a curved line in a shape such as a C, S, or a meandering way.

Generally, a leading line will start in the lower left corner, but not in the exact corner, and continue upward to the point of interest.

Good sources for leading lines would include such things as:  a fence, pier, bridge, road, river, guard rail, path, bent tree, fallen log, railroad tracks, sidewalk, power lines and architectural details.  This list is only a hint of where to look for leading lines that will add interest to your composition, and the more you observe, the more your list will grow.

Visitors are always welcome and there’s no obligation to join, so mark your calendars for 7 p.m., Feb. 12, at the Elks.