Mar 28, 2022

[Photography] Diagonal Lines in Photography: The Ultimate Guide

The post Diagonal Lines in Photography: The Ultimate Guide appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.

a guide to diagonal lines in photography

What are diagonals in photography? And how can you use them to create stunning compositions?

In this article, I share everything you need to know about composing with diagonal lines, including:

  • What diagonals in photography actually are
  • How to find diagonals when out shooting
  • Easy tips to improve your diagonal pictures

Are you ready to capture diagonal photos like a pro? Then let’s dive right in!

What are diagonal lines in photography?

Diagonals refer to any slanted lines that appear in a photo, from tilted trees and road paint to partially raised arms and bent flagpoles.

Here, diagonal lines stretch across the entire image:

diagonal lines in photography shadows on a wall

In fact, diagonals are pretty easy to find; most scenes include a strong diagonal or two, plus you can turn any straight line into a diagonal simply by slanting your camera!

But what makes diagonals so great for photography?

For one, diagonals act as leading lines: they lead the viewer’s eye through the scene. In other words, they help take the viewer on a visual journey (which is pretty much always a good thing). Look at the image featured above; do you feel the diagonals pulling you through the shot?

Diagonal lines also add a sense of dynamism, or action, to an image, which is perfect for dramatic landscapes and intense street shots. When used carefully, diagonals can even give a composition depth by suggesting perspective.

So while you don’t always need to incorporate diagonals into your compositions, it is often a good idea, especially if you’re after more dynamic, engaging results.

How to find diagonal lines when shooting

As I emphasized above, diagonals are not especially difficult to find – you just have to know where to look!

Every scene has a few diagonals just waiting to be discovered. Over time, you’ll get better at spotting them, but when you’re just starting out with diagonal compositions, I’d recommend you look in a few specific places.

First, if you’re capturing landscape photos, search for lines that stretch from the foreground to the horizon, such as:

  • Fallen logs
  • Rivers
  • Blades of grass
  • Lines in the sand

Any of the above options work great as diagonals. Simply slap a wide-angle lens onto your camera, get down low over your foreground subject, and adjust the shooting angle until you get a beautiful diagonal moving through the scene.

diagonal log leading toward a forest

Second, if you’re capturing portrait photos, ask your subject to position their arms so they point – diagonally! – to their face. You need to be subtle about it, and the effect should appear natural.

Third, when doing street photography, pick a clear subject, then look for lines in the surrounding environment that’ll lead the eye in the right direction. A wide-angle lens – such as a 28mm or 35mm option – can be helpful. You might then use:

  • Building edges
  • Street signs
  • Road paint
  • Curbs
  • A person gesturing

For the best results, you can get down low over a curb or line of road paint so the diagonal cuts straight toward the main subject. Alternatively, you might capture your subject moving between a maze of structures full of interesting diagonals and diagonal edges (to amplify the effect, try tilting your camera!).

person biking past diagonal stairs

4 easy tips for beautiful use of diagonals

You know all about diagonal lines and how to find them – but how can you work with diagonals for the best results?

In this section, I share my favorite tips for diagonal compositions, starting with:

1. Avoid positioning diagonals in the image corners

When you’re just starting out with diagonals in photography, it can be tempting to find a strong diagonal – like a log on a beach – and compose so that the line cuts directly from the bottom corner toward the horizon.

But while corner positioning will certainly give you powerful results, the resulting compositions often feel a bit static; they look too obviously designed.

So instead of positioning diagonals in corners, I recommend you adjust your camera for a slightly off-corner effect. By moving your camera downward, for instance, you can ensure that the diagonal intersects with the vertical edge of your shot, and by moving your camera to the right or left, you can ensure that the diagonal intersects with a horizontal edge.

diagonal line cutting through trees aerial image

How far away from corners should you keep your diagonals? Honestly, that’s your call, and there’s no easy answer. The best advice is to experiment – over time, you’ll start to determine the diagonal positioning that you like.

(Note, by the way, that you often do have the option to adjust your diagonal positions in post-processing. A little cropping can go a long way! Though it’s always best to get it right in camera when you can.)

2. Combine diagonals and straight lines to create points of interest

If you’ve read up on the rule of thirds, then you know that, while solitary lines are nice, it’s points of intersection that really draw the viewer’s eye.

In other words, the points at which two lines intersect can be very powerful.

So the next time you’re composing, find your diagonal – but then look for a second line, which the diagonal can intersect with to create a potent area of interest.

snoc-covered bridge with a river running below

Note that your second line doesn’t need to be a diagonal; you can get good results simply by combining a diagonal line and the horizon line, for instance.

But be careful: While line intersections are great for getting the viewer’s attention, you shouldn’t use them aimlessly. Instead, try to adjust your composition so that the subject is at the point of intersection. That way, when the viewer follows the lines, they go straight toward the subject!

3. Don’t include too many diagonal lines

Diagonals are great for a whole host of reasons, but it is possible to have too many diagonals, at which point your composition will start to feel messy and difficult to appreciate.

An over-diagonaled image will be especially problematic if the diagonals are crossing from different directions (whereas a handful of diagonals all moving in the same general direction can create interesting patterns; see my next tip!).

So if you do come upon a scene with dozens of diagonals, carefully evaluate your composition before hitting the shutter button. Ask yourself: Does the image feel cohesive? Or do the diagonals make it chaotic?

If a scene does feature many diagonals, you can always adjust your composition to exclude some of the more problematic areas. Try switching to a telephoto lens (zooming with your feet works, too!).

diagonal lines in a building facade

Alternatively, you can embrace the chaos. But if you do decide to go that route, make sure there are a few especially eye-catching diagonals – that is, diagonals that stand out above the rest – to keep the image coherent. Make sense?

4. Look for patterns

In the previous tip, I mentioned that a few diagonals, when moving together, can create eye-catching patterns.

And as you might expect, you can use these patterns to create highly compelling compositions (though you should be careful to avoid compositional chaos, as discussed above).

Keep an eye out for repeating diagonal elements, and when a pattern becomes clear, do what you can to incorporate it into your images. One trick is to get extra close so you can make the pattern the subject of your photo. (That way, you can create a stunning abstract shot.) Another option is to move back and/or use a wide-angle lens to make the pattern a small – but powerful – part of the scene.

railing on stairs diagonal lines in photography

Note that diagonals in a pattern tend to be far stronger than a diagonal on its own, so make sure that you position patterned diagonals carefully in relation to the main subject. You want to make sure the diagonals lead the eye toward the subject rather than away from it!

Diagonal lines in photography: final words

Now that you’ve finished this article, you’re ready to capture some stunning photos featuring diagonal lines.

So remember the tips I’ve shared. And start practicing with your camera!

Now over to you:

What type of diagonals do you plan to incorporate into your photos? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Diagonal Lines in Photography: The Ultimate Guide appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.



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Mar 27, 2022

[Photography] Couple Poses: 21 Posing Ideas for Beautiful Couples Photography

The post Couple Poses: 21 Posing Ideas for Beautiful Couples Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Guest Contributor.

ideas for beautiful couples photography

Looking for some couple poses to spice up your next photoshoot?

I’ve got you covered.

Because in this article, I share 21 of my favorite couple posing ideas – perfect for engagement sessions, wedding sessions, maternity sessions, and more. I also include example illustrations so you know exactly what each pose should look like in action.

By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be ready to handle a couple photoshoot, whether it’s casual or formal, indoors or out.

Let’s do this.

1. The intimate pose

Let’s start off with a universally excellent couples pose:

The two partners stand face to face but turn their heads toward the camera. Then one partner puts an arm on the other partner’s chest, like this:

couple pose photography

This pose is perfect for engagement and wedding sessions. Make sure you capture a mix of vertical and horizontal portraits!

2. Looking into one another’s eyes

For this pose, simply ask the couple to stand very close to one another – the closer the better! – and look directly into one another’s eyes. For an even more romantic effect, ask them to touch foreheads.

Don’t be afraid to zoom in and crop extra tight, and be sure to play around with variations. For instance, you might ask the couple to both close their eyes, to put their hands on one another’s faces, and so on.

intimate close up pose

3. Hugging from behind

This is a very easy and cordial pose that works well for weddings and other formal photoshoots.

Ask one partner to stand behind the other, then wrap the front partner in an embrace:

Posing Guide: 21 Sample Poses for Photographing Couples

The couple may look straight into the camera or at each other. They can kiss for a more emotive shot.

4. Holding from behind

This is a fun and loving couple pose, with one partner standing behind the other while holding onto their shoulders:

person with arms around another person's neck

Pay attention to hand positioning; it should be simple and natural. Ask the partner in front to hold their hands over the hands around their neck. And for an especially romantic effect, ask the partner in back to put their chin on the front partner’s shoulder.

5. Holding from behind (casual)

This is a more casual variation on the previous pose. One partner should hold the other from behind, but their right arm should loop over the front person’s shoulder while their left arm drops down across their stomach:

Posing Guide: 21 Sample Poses for Photographing Couples

Note that the couple doesn’t need to look into the camera. For the best results, ask them to interact with each other by talking, offering flirtatious looks, laughing, etc. Then be ready with your camera to capture the magic!

6. Holding from behind and looking out

This pose creates a very romantic couple photo, and in my experience, it works best when you’re doing an outdoor session with some beautiful open space in the background.

Ask one partner to hug the other partner from behind, then make sure you take a few steps back and to the side. The goal is to capture the couple looking out toward a field, lake, or distant horizon, so make sure you don’t get too far back. For the best results, you should capture each person’s eye; otherwise, the shot will seem impersonal.

two people looking out across the horizon

7. Looking up

This couple pose is common – it’s a simple hug – but the trick is to capture it from an unusual angle:

couple shot from above

I recommend you find some elevation and shoot your subjects from above. You might use a ladder, some stairs, a balcony, or – if you’re shooting in the wilderness – a large rock. The higher you can get, the better!

8. Holding hands

This simple couple photo pose is a bit more formal, though it can work in casual situations, too. Ask the partners to hold hands, lean their heads against one another, and turn away from the camera:

couple poses two people holding hands

It’s a pose that works well outdoors with some open space in the background. It’s especially nice at sunset; if you can position the couple above the horizon, you’ll be able to capture some truly stunning silhouettes.

9. The gentle, staggered pose

This is an easy-to-create pose that makes for lovely full-height shots. It works great for more formal sessions, though you can always try it out when doing more casual couple photography, too.

Ask one partner to stand behind the other, then ask them to take a step outward for a staggered effect:

two people standing together

10. The piggyback pose

This one’s a fun pose, and it’s perfect for engagement photoshoots with young couples.

(That said, don’t assume that it only works for younger people. If an older couple feels fine with the piggyback pose, then by all means, go for it!)

Start by having one partner jump on the other partner’s back. Then try different framings; take full-height shots, half-height shots, and close-ups. Oh, and be sure to capture the partners’ faces, because this pose pretty much always results in a lot of laughter!

one person on another person's back

11. Standing face to face and kissing

This couples pose is perfect for engagement photoshoots, as it’s a great way to capture the affection the partners felt when they first met.

Simply ask the two partner’s to kiss (though be sure to direct their arms and hands!):

couple kissing pose

It’s a pose that you can do anywhere, though it works especially well in crowded places, such as famous monuments, markets, and even train stations.

12. Jumping and hugging

Here’s another fun pose, perfect for enthusiastic couples on an engagement photoshoot.

Ask one partner to jump into the other partner’s arms:

woman jumping into a man's arms

The crucial part is getting the leg positioning right on the jumping subject; each leg should be bent at different angles for the best effect (see the example above).

13. Walking and holding hands

Ask the partners to hold hands, look at one another, and walk toward your camera. Make sure they start at a good distance – that way, you’ll have time to fire off a handful of shots before they get close.

I do recommend you shoot in burst mode, as the majority of your shots wil be ruined by awkward leg movements. (The second part of your job is to select photos with the best leg movements and positioning, which can be tough!)

couple pose holding hands

14. Walking and holding each other

This one’s another pose with a walking couple, though it’s slightly more intimate than the previous idea. The couple should walk close together, as before, but they should hold on to each other:

couple walking together near a river or beach

As with the previous pose, you’ll need to take a number of shots – burst mode is your friend! – and choose the ones with the best leg positions.

15. Walking away from the camera

If you liked the “walking and holding hands” couples pose that I proposed above, then this one is nearly the same – just with a different camera angle!

Simply ask your subjects to walk with their arms around one another. (Holding hands works, too!) Then stand behind them, and fire off a series of shots as they walk away from your camera.

It’s a simple pose, but one that looks amazing when done right.

couple walking together away from the camera

16. Lying on the ground

Looking for unconventional couple poses? Then try this one, where the partners lie on the ground and look toward the camera:

couple lying together on the ground

Make sure they get close together for a more intimate effect, and ask them to lift their upper bodies a bit and use their arms for support.

I’d recommend that you, as the photographer, get down very low. Feel free to shoot through grass and other vegetation, and if you can, widen your aperture to f/2.8 or beyond to create a shallow depth of field effect.

17. Lying on the ground and looking at each other

This pose is similar to the one shared above, except the couple should look toward one another:

couple lying on the ground

In other to make this one work, you’ll need to put a little space between partners. Again, use a low angle, and be sure to pay attention to the partners’ feet; you don’t want a distracting foot or two sticking out of a head.

18. Cuddling on the ground

Here’s another intimate couple pose, one that features some nice asymmetry:

one partner slightly above the other, looking down

One partner should be positioned slightly above, while the other should set their head against the ground. (If you’re shooting outdoors, then a blanket can be a big help!) You can experiment with different head turns; one partner can look toward the camera, both partners can look at each other, or both partners can look toward the camera.

19. Lying together, looking up

This pose is a casual, fun pose that’s perfect for engagement sessions. It’s also very easy to pull off, so it works great for subjects who aren’t totally comfortable in front of the camera.

Simply ask the partners to lie on the ground, heads next to one another:

couple lying on backs

In general, you get the best results when shooting outside, though it’s possible to get a good result when working indoors, too.

20. Sitting together on a sofa

If you’re trying to capture more formal couple images, then try out this simple option, where one partner leans back against a couch while the other leans on their chest.

For the most meaningful images, try shooting at the couple’s house (and on their favorite sofa!).

couple sitting on a couch

21. The classic maternity pose

While I’ve focused on engagement and wedding couple poses for most of this article, it does pay to think about maternity couple poses – just in case.

Of course, you can always use some of the poses that I’ve shared, though you may to want to consider this careful maternity pose pose:

man feels woman's stomach while hugging from behind

It looks nice for pretty much any couple, it’s romantic, and it’s a bit emotional. Be sure to pay attention to both subjects’ hands!

Couple poses: final words

Now that you’ve finished this article, you’re ready to try out some couple poses during your next session!

So commit these poses to memory. Experiment. See how well they work!

Now over to you:

Which of these poses for couples do you plan to use first? Which do you like best? Are there any poses that you dislike? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

This guest post was written by Kaspars Grinvalds from Posing App.

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The post Couple Poses: 21 Posing Ideas for Beautiful Couples Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Guest Contributor.



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