Lesson 5 Leading Lines

[KansasA]

Oh wow, this is getting tough! :) In lesson 5 in the leading lines picture, is it supposed to be clear at the start or the end?... or does it matter as long as there is something leading into the picture?
This is what I've come up with but I'm not sure.
Kansas
1860
I thought I would also put this one up but is the hand distracting?
1861
Or have I blown both?

[julimucca]

Oh wow, this is getting tough! :) In lesson 5 in the leading lines picture, is it supposed to be clear at the start or the end?... or does it matter as long as there is something leading into the picture?
This is what I've come up with but I'm not sure.
Kansas
1860
I thought I would also put this one up but is the hand distracting?
1861
Or have I blown both?

I actually liked both when I first looked at them. I think the one with the hand further back is less distracting, but I don't think you have blown either of them. : )

[KansasA]

I actually liked both when I first looked at them. I think the one with the hand further back is less distracting, but I don't think you have blown either of them. : )

Thanks julimucca, I just sent them to my hardest critic (my mom) and she says that leading lines should be leading to "something" as in a person walking on a path. I get a different impression, as you can see, so I'm confused... and not sure what I should do now.

[neonmike]

There is nothing that states a leading line shot has to be entirely in focus. And while I like both your shots I think the fit better as examples of depth of field.

Leading lines are really just lines within a picture that direct your eyes through the shot. The goal can be to either help the veiwer take in the whole shot or to direct them to a particular subject within it.

[KansasA]

There is nothing that states a leading line shot has to be entirely in focus. And while I like both your shots I think the fit better as examples of depth of field.

Leading lines are really just lines within a picture that direct your eyes through the shot. The goal can be to either help the veiwer take in the whole shot or to direct them to a particular subject within it.

Thanks Mike, so do you think this picture of the river would be a better example as it leads the viewer to the mountains? I just thought that the picture looked too "busy" with too much to take in.
1862

[ladyups]

Hi Kansas! I'm not Mike but I think this is an excellent example of leading lines. The line of river takes you to the view of the mountain. Perfect!

[KansasA]

Thanks Mary, I think I'll go with the river picture. Now I just have to come up with one more picture and assignment 5 is complete! lol
Kansas

[neonmike]

There is a lot to look at it the river pic but I think the river does a nice job leading you around. I think you'll be ok with that one.

Many leading lines shots that involve rivers are taken at higher or lower vantage points that what you have. The reason is to better capture the path the river takes without distractions. But since you don't have trees jumping into the frame or anything like that, I think you've got a really nice shot. You might try a tighter crop though. You have a lot of empty space above the mountains. While it shows off the beautiful color of the sky, I feel as though it might take away from the actual mountains. Overall a very nice shot though.