Curves

For this exercise on curves it was explained that, like diagonals, curves gave a sense of movement and direction and because they pull the eye in they are a useful element in planned composition.  I was asked to look for and take four photographs using curves to emphasise movement and direction.  Bearing this in mind I tried to stay away from taking photographs of round things as, although they are curved, they do not always give a sense of movement.

For this first image I stood to the side of a curved footbridge so that the bridge started outside the edges of the frame and curved inwards to the far side.  Both the upper and lower curves of the bridge are in the picture and due to the perspective it is taken at there is a real feeling of direction in the image, you can see that the bridge is stretching away into the photograph.  Had this image been taken side on then the curves of the bridge would still have been in evidence but the sense of movement would not be present.

I took this photograph low to the ground so that the slight curve of the road was enhanced.  The angle I have taken the picture at also makes the curve seem greater than it is.  The way that the curve stretches from the bottom side of the image to the opposite top corner enables you to imagine the road continuing out side both side edges of the frame.  In essence it is doing the same job as a diagonal line would do but as the curve is softer than a straight diagonal would be, the image flows better.

I love this curvy fence, it would still be very pretty if captured at an angle which directly faced it but in order to give a sense of movement I took the photograph from a more acute angle.  I bobbed down slightly to bring the fence higher in the frame.  Curves like this would work very well as either a horizon or a partial frame if the subject behind was interesting enough but from this angle they lead you through the frame from one side to the other.

This image uses the curves of a waterway to lead you into and through the photograph.  The image is also divided into implied thirds by the path of the water as it winds from the bottom of the frame, across, back and out the side.  Although this is a simple image I still find it pleasing to look at, perhaps because of the implied divisions, and it demonstrates the way a curved line can draw you through a photograph.

Although is says in the coursebook that curves can be considered as a kind of diagonal line I feel they are much softer and create a more gentle line in a photograph.