Leading lines aren’t just a technique; they’re a way to guide the viewer’s eye and add depth to your work. Straight, diagonal, or curved, they can shape how someone interacts with your image. When used effectively, they create focus and transform a composition from good to striking.
Coming to you from Ab Sesay with Adorama, this detailed video walks you through creating and utilizing leading lines in both studio and outdoor settings. In the studio, Sesay demonstrates how to construct minimalist sets using everyday materials like speed rail pipes and V-flats. By adding a single light and strategically arranging shadows, he creates depth and dynamic compositions. One setup features pipes arranged diagonally, emphasizing clean, industrial lines that frame the subject while shadows extend these lines into the background. Sesay shares tips like using seamless paper to bounce light for subtle fill or adjusting negative fill to deepen shadows, ensuring even small tweaks add visual interest.
Outdoors, Sesay takes you through a variety of distinct setups shot in just under an hour. Each location demonstrates how natural elements like shadows, reflections, and structures can act as leading lines. At one spot, reflections on a parking lot surface become a dynamic frame for the subject. In another, a cement wall directs focus toward the model, with sunlight peeking over a nearby building for added drama. Sesay’s use of natural light is intentional, timing the shots around golden hour to make the most of the sun’s angle and intensity.
One of the standout techniques involves using unconventional locations. A setup between two dumpsters creates striking lines, framing the subject and adding symmetry. Another shot uses the curve of a bush, positioned for soft natural light that highlights the model’s face. Sesay emphasizes efficiency, often capturing multiple frames quickly to maintain momentum and creativity. His choice of lens reflects the flexibility needed for outdoor work, offering shallow depth of field and sharpness without the bulk of heavier equipment.
In both settings, Sesay highlights how leading lines and lighting work together. Studio lighting mimics natural effects, like sunlight streaming through a skylight, while outdoor compositions take advantage of the environment. Whether in a controlled studio or an unpredictable outdoor setting, the techniques blend creativity with practical adjustments. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Sesay.
If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!"
