Lines

By: Keivan Taban

Lines are crucial compositional elements. The concept of line, as our brain perceives, explains the inclination of our eyes toward compositional lines—explicit or implied. Our brains are evolved to look for patterns upon which they can make predictions. Life itself is very uncertain. Therefore, we as humans naturally tend to find comfort in what presents itself as patterned because it allows for rather certain simulation of future. Future in the sense of near or far predictability. The whole human endeavour through centuries has been finding formulas in every facade of life to dent away at the wall of uncertainty. This strong evolutionary and historical evidence clarifies why in visual arts—photography being one—lines and geometrical shapes are considered as essential elements of composition.

Lines create dynamics within a photo, and guide viewer’s eyes and thus attention. They shape viewer’s perception and walk them through a frozen moment. A moment that with the help of lines and shapes narrates a story. Stories are paramount. Told in any possible way, they make us bear the suffering of life and unbearable truth of our loneliness. We need something to merge with to break away, even for a brief moment, from the impounding truth.

Visual sense, being our most important way of communication with nature, is naturally the one who is ardent to find stories and keep the train of life running. Stories told by words need lines, forms, and directions. The same principle holds for stories told through visual arts. They too need lines, shapes, and direction. Sentences have linear shapes. Words cannot be thrown randomly, geometrically speaking, on paper and expected to convey anything meaningful. In sentences and paragraphs they conceive true meaning and form context. Likewise, photos need structure, which is formed by lines—straight or otherwise. Lines and shapes lock viewer’s attention and construct perceptions. They bring dynamics to a photo or, conversely, impart a sense of stability. They push the break or inject motion and movement into a photo. So, when you compose, think highly of lines. They can be the very means for your storytelling.