What are leading lines in photography?

Leading lines in photography refer to lines within an image that guide the viewer's eye toward the main subject or focal point. They can be natural elements like roads, rivers, or fences, or they may come from architectural features like staircases and bridges. The purpose of using leading lines is to create a sense of depth and perspective, drawing the viewer into the scene and enhancing the overall composition.

By directing attention strategically, leading lines help establish a visual path that encourages viewers to explore the photograph, making it more engaging. This technique often enhances the storytelling aspects of the image, as the viewer's gaze is guided smoothly to the main subject, making it stand out more prominently.

Other options describe various visual elements but do not capture the specific function of leading lines. For instance, lines that divide the image into sections might contribute to the overall composition but do not have the same directional quality. Similarly, lines that create a border refer to framing rather than guiding. Lines indicating movement pertain to dynamic action within a photo and do not focus on guiding the eye to a subject. Thus, leading lines specifically emphasize the pathway that leads to what is important in the photograph, making the second option the most accurate definition.