Line and shape
Leading lines
"Leading lines" are a compositional technique, where a photographer utilizes naturally occurring “lines” within their image's composition that draw the viewers' attention to the main subject or emotional conversation within an image
What are leading lines?
Leading lines is a compositional technique that uses line shapes to direct the viewer's eye to a specific subject or detail. Line shapes within an image can be naturally occurring such as a river or treeline. They can also be artificial line shapes found in man made structures like bridges, roads, and fences. When a viewer looks at an image that utilizes lines, their eye is naturally drawn to the lines and where they lead. Photographers and cinematographers use this effect in their compositions to guide the viewer’s eye toward a specific area of the frame.
What are leading lines used for?
- Directing the viewer's eye
- Creating a focal point
- Establishing visual symmetry
World-famous director Lars von Trier said in a recent interview that he doesn’t really consider virtual reality as constructive as cinema because it excludes any framing.
"…Whereas the frame is the basis of the gaze: it’s in the limit it sets that the most vital source of artistic expression is found."
Lars von Trier, from the interview to “Le Monde”
"…Whereas the frame is the basis of the gaze: it’s in the limit it sets that the most vital source of artistic expression is found."
Lars von Trier, from the interview to “Le Monde”
Invisible lines in shot composition – the rule of thirdsIn this overview, we will mostly concentrate on visible lines, which actually appear in a shot, cutting it or guiding the viewer’s attention. But of course, it’s only a drop in the ocean of mighty filmmaking geometry. Even if you’re not yet an experienced cinematographer, chances are you’re familiar with the rule of thirds. While this rule may seem obvious, it is certainly not unimportant. It’s an example of how a strong composition can be achieved by using imaginary guiding lines.
In the MZed course “Fundamentals of Directing”, independent screenwriter and director Kyle Wilamowski explains this phenomenon quite simply. Take any desired frame, draw two vertical and two horizontal lines across the screen, dividing it into identically sized thirds, and look at where they intersect. These are the focal points that immediately capture the viewer’s attention.
In the MZed course “Fundamentals of Directing”, independent screenwriter and director Kyle Wilamowski explains this phenomenon quite simply. Take any desired frame, draw two vertical and two horizontal lines across the screen, dividing it into identically sized thirds, and look at where they intersect. These are the focal points that immediately capture the viewer’s attention.
Leading lines can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. As the name “leading” suggests, they smoothly direct our glance toward something the director wants us to focus on. One striking example is Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” and the scenes in the hallway.
How Cinematographers Use Geometric Shapes to Tell Stories with Visuals
When used in character, object, and background design, shapes can tell a story, show personality, and illicit an emotional response in the viewer without using any words.
The brain gives abstract meaning to many different shapes in a consistent way and filmmakers use this phenomenon to tell their story. In animation, for example, evil characters have sharper features, pointy noses and long curly fingers. The lovable characters are designed soft and round.
In film, a collection of vertical and horizontal lines can indicate a character is trapped or held prisoner in their current lifestyle. Triangles can emphasize power dynamics, linear framingcan show physical separation and straight lines are used to guide your eyesight.
In film, a collection of vertical and horizontal lines can indicate a character is trapped or held prisoner in their current lifestyle. Triangles can emphasize power dynamics, linear framingcan show physical separation and straight lines are used to guide your eyesight.
Circles
Often considered a "feminine" shape, circles represent things that are soft, nonthreatening, natural, and maternal. The continuous curve and rounded figure reminds many of us of things that appear in nature, like galaxies, stars, planets, clouds, raindrops, flowers, and waves. We even make connections between circles and femininity, maternity, and youth—the curvaceous form of a woman's body, a big pregnant belly, the chubby cheeks of a new baby. But circles don't just contain significance because of their physical likeness to real world objects. Circles have been used symbolically to communicate "completeness", "balance", and "endlessness"—Shutterstock provides some great examples: the yin yang, the clock, the wedding ring.
This is why we see so many animated characters' bodies—heroes, kids, "good guys"—containing rounded shapes, because circles represent innocence, happiness, and friendliness.
This is why we see so many animated characters' bodies—heroes, kids, "good guys"—containing rounded shapes, because circles represent innocence, happiness, and friendliness.
Squares
Squares can be seen as almost the antithesis of the circle in that it can often represent that which is unnatural or manmade. (Very few rectangular things occur in nature, at least compared to circles.) Squares also represent "stasis", "stability", and "strength", or things that may be considered boring or old-fashioned. We see a lot of squares used in film to communicate these messages, especially in direct opposition to the "natural world." In Up, Carl is made up of many squares, while Russell is made up of many circles. Carl's geometric make-up represents stasis and isolation, while Russell's represents youthfulness and joy.
Triangles
Ah, the angriest shape: the triangle. Every kid who draws a monster with sharp teeth draws a row of triangles, don't they? This is because the "pointy-ness" of the triangle, for some reason, elicits fear, distrust, and suspicion. Look at any animated villain ever—they're drawn with plenty of points and angles with very few rounded edges.
But triangles have a feature that the other two shapes don't. If you place a triangle with the broad side down, it can represent something stable, like a mountain range or the Great Pyramids, but if you invert them, they become extremely unnerving to look at.
But triangles have a feature that the other two shapes don't. If you place a triangle with the broad side down, it can represent something stable, like a mountain range or the Great Pyramids, but if you invert them, they become extremely unnerving to look at.