Someone once said there is no such thing as a perfectly straight line. I believe it was the person who built my house, but I can’t say for sure. Come to think of it, this statement is quite true, just ask any calculus student. With math and home building aside, straight lines are cannot be readily found in nature, which is why we are drawn to photographs where straight lines are illustrated. Human beings like order, which is why linear, balanced photographs are pleasing to look at. With this in mind, let’s examine some samples where linear objects could make excellent photographic projects.

Although railroad tracks are very dangerous to work around, thy are excellent candidates for shooting parallel lines. Whenever working around railroad tracks, you should always bring an assistant along to serve as a safety spotter. The photograph illustrated here was taken at eye-level with the lens focused just below the horizon. The photograph was cropped to eliminate an uneven horizon caused by trees, and a slight off-center appearance was corrected. Perhaps a better alternative to shooting from eye-level is to shoot from about knee height. The lower angle will help to exaggerate the distance and more track sections will be included in the shot.

Highway overpass sections can create interesting abstract pictures. Take a moment to look at the roof of a long section of highway overpass. This perspective works best with long segments of highway, such as a fly-over. The roof of the overpass essentially appears to be the inverse of railroad tracks. Focus the bottom edge of the lens to the point where the overpass reaches it’s termination point. The photograph should appear quite abstract, yet appealing. This is another area where safety is a concern, so be sure to bring your assistant spotter along.

There are many cliché linear objects to photograph, but be daring and escape the ordinary. Look at common objects that would be interesting as a linear subject. One example might be a long segment of wood or construction material (be sure to send a copy to my home builder to prove that straight lines do exist in building supplies). For those who have a macro lens, straight lines are bountiful. Use your macro lens to follow the pages of a book, or the edge of a stack of compact discs to create strange and abstract effects.

In order to become an effective photographer, it is essential to learn to see the physical world as an active observer. Photographing parallel lines is just one way where you can develop critical observation skills. Before long you may find that the best way to make a point is to follow a straight line.

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