Exercise: Diagonals

Diagonal lines are easy to create in a photograph. They depend mainly on viewpoint. Staircases are an example of a common diagonal. Diagonal lines are very important in giving a feeling of depth to an image. Linear perspective is largely based on diagonals. Diagonals have a much greater sense of movement and direction than vertical and horizontal lines. This is partly because they make immediate contrast with the frame edges, and partly because they have an association of being physically unstable, even of falling. They can add an overall sense of activity to the image and can control the way someone looks at a photograph.

For this exercise, you were advised to take at least 4 photographs which showed strong diagonal lines.

The photographer, Craig Ferguson, whom I researched previously, also discussed diagonal lines in photography. I read his article on diagonal lines.http://www.craigfergusonimages.com/2010/03/diagonal-lines/

He quotes: ‘Diagonals; They are the most dynamic of all lines, giving a strong sense of action, speed and motion’

‘Diagonals help to draw the viewer’s eye through a photograph. It’s especially useful in images that have a lot of activity within them. Constructing the photo so it contains diagonals helps to bring a simple structure to an otherwise chaotic image.’

Reading his article, there is some advice which I will pay attention to. He advises you to watch out for ‘Numerous intersecting diagonals, as these often produce confusion.Whereas numerous repeated diagonals throughout a picture can often produce interesting patterns.’ This is something I will be keeping in mind when taking photographs for this exercise.

First photograph:

  Whilst stood on the beach in Weston, loads of aeroplanes were flying over as we were near the local airport. It was a beautiful sunny day with clear enough skies. The lines which were being produced from the back of the planes, really showed up well against the blue sky. I pointed my camera up above me, and as the planes were flying over my head, it caused a natural diagonal line in my frame. I took multiple photographs at different angles, and this was the best. It showed a perfect diagonal line from corner to corner of the frame.

Second Photograph:

  Whilst on the beach, I noticed lines in the stones, I stood at an angle to one of the lines, and positioned it so it was diagonal in my frame.

Third Photograph:

  When I thought of diagonal lines, I thought of steps. I knew it would be hard to photograph staircases, unless it was outside. I knew that my local train station had a certain staircase which had different levels to it. I stood on the opposite platform and photographed the stairs.I didn’t really need to position the stairs much in my frame, as the natural diagonal lines they create, did it for me. They created a perfect image of a diagonal line.

Fourth Photograph:

  I saw an opportunity when I realised there was one lone plant growing on the top of my wall in my garden. As the wall is tall, I was able to stand at quite a distance underneath it. I pointed my camera up towards the plant and it automatically became a diagonal as the plant had a bend in it anyway. It bent into a perfect diagonal line in my frame.

Fifth Photograph:

  I saw this really interesting house. Usually roofs on houses are triangular. However, this house was designed with multiple slanted sections of roofing. I stood to the side of the house rather than front on. I wanted to show the front and back roofs. They created multiple diagonal lines within the frame, making it very interesting.

Overall Opinion:

I really enjoyed this exercise. I thought it may be a bit difficult at the beginning, especially when I had to think about places or objects which would show diagonal lines. I think I was in the ‘right place at the right time’ for some of my photographs, especially the aeroplane in the sky and the stones on the beach , as these created really strong diagonal lines within the frame. The one thing I have realised is that I have somehow stuck to only one diagonal line within the frame, rather than multiple diagonal lines pointing the same way. This would be something I would change if I had to do this exercise again. I would incorporate some photographs which contained multiple diagonal lines and not just one diagonal line.