On Connect, we’ve explored different ways to make your photos more interesting such as using leading lines, changing your perspective, and making the most of negative space. Another fun way to make your photos stand out is by capturing curves.
Curves can be strong or subtle, and can be found all around you if you look close enough. What I find most exciting about curves is that they can become your main subject or be used as a compositional tool to divide elements in your photo.
Here are the different types of curves to look for that will make your photos more dynamic.
S curves
S curves create the shape of the letter “S” in your photos. When you look at this shape, your eye will be led from the front to the back of the image. S curves can often be found when looking at bodies of water, roads, or pathways.
For example, in the photo below, the S curve of the water in Reflection Canyon helps guide your eyes through the image and creates a sense of depth.
C curves
C curves are shaped like the letter “C” and can also be found just about anywhere! They are easier to find than S curves, and they can also help guide your eye through the scene.
You can use C curves to add a sense of movement and energy to your photos. This is successfully demonstrated in the photo below of the bicyclists riding on a curved velodrome at Packer Park Pavilion. The angle from where this photo was taken also helps emphasize the C curve and makes the scene more dramatic.
Circles
Circles can often be found in architecture and also in their reflections. These are infinite shapes and help create a sense of calmness in your photo. Take, for example, the tranquil scene captured below of the Rakotzbrücke Bridge in Gablenz, Germany. This unique bridge and its reflection successfully creates the illusion of a complete stone circle.
Arches
Arches are frequently found in architecture. These graceful shapes can be photographed as a pattern if there are several arches close to one another, or on their own if you only come across a building with a single archway. A way to make your scene more dynamic is to place an arch as a frame of your scene, as seen in the photo of this majestic archway at the Louvre Museum below.
Have you captured a dynamic photo using curves? Share it with us in the comments below.
