The concept of leading lines (LLs) is super simple...but often ignored. A LL draws the viewers eye to the subject and/or around the photo. A leading line can be almost anything: a road, path, sidewalk, fence, river, hedge, tree, shadow, etc. 

You will not find a strong LL around every subject, but you should look for them as you are composing your picture. Often, if you shoot from a slightly different angle, you'll find a LL. 

Lines in a picture should lead into the frame, not out of it, and they should lead your eye toward the main subject. 

Often the best LLs start from the corners of the frame.

For extra aesthetic power, place LLs along the Thrids lines from the Rule of Thirds (especially the vertical lines! See Lesson 1). 

Here are some Leading Line examples:

And my favorite recent photo using LLs:

The path acts at a LL drawing you right into the photo...follow it to the people...then to the island:

Even more, the path is at a slight diagnol, creating interest. Additionally, the people are in a power point position and the horizon was set on a Rule of Thirds Line. Love it!

As a side note, about this picture: I selected to turn it Black & White for several reasons:

1. It was a dreary, rainy, drizzly, English day...the sky was gray anyway.

2. Color added NOTHING to this picture. If you look at a photo in the editing process, ask yourself - Does color add to this photo? If the answer is no, try turning it B&W to see if it is more pleasing to you.

3. This is a photo of St. Michael's Mount...a very very very old town/island in England...I was hoping that by using a long exposure (which blurred the people), and by turning it B&W that it would create a "timeless" feel - alluding that this could have been taken at any time in the past...where people still made the walk out to the Mount...and where they have been making the walk for 100s and 100s of years.

Anyway, back to Leading Lines! Here are some Bumpies that I admire for stunning LLs!

Eris1995:
Josie22:
Miniko:
MrsZimm:

Now, get out there and find some LLs! If your subject is still enough, experiment with shooting from different angles...you might be amazed at what you find! Don't forget your Rule of Thirds too! All of these concepts stack and build together!