Diagonals

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Squared Away

Photographers can use diagonal lines when composing photographs to establish a sharp contrast with the right-angled outside border of the image area. This photo (top) showing a diagonal dividing line between the sand and the water at La Calete de Famara on the island of Lanzarote illustrates this effect. The predominant diagonal line is broken up by many smaller slanted lines running in opposing directions.

The visual effect of the diagonal lines in this photo of a fisherman at the port of Cala Figuera on Mallorca is much more complex. The elaborate network of diagonals leading in varying directions is critical to the photo’s ...

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