Perspective & Depth
BackgroundPerspective and depth is achieved by visual angles, shadows, highlights, texture and focus.
Perspective: In photography and video, a sense of perspective comes from changing camera angle - suggesting a viewer's perspective. In addition, it can range from narrow to wide angle shots. The slideshow below illustrates low and high perspective shots. Perspective also communicates other information. For instance, a high angle shot makes the subject seem weak, vulnerable or smaller. A low angle shot makes the subject seem dominant, superior or larger. A level angle suggests a more neutral or normal perspective.
The slideshow below is an example from two different perspectives of this fog shot, one with wide angle setting on the camera lens and other Technical note: with a camera/video on wide angle shots, faces or other objects can become distorted.
It is important when creating montages or videos composed of different perspectives to maintain the orientation of the viewer. Consider carefully what came before and what comes after each change in perspective - it can help tell the story. Vanishing Points and horizonsLines that converge on a vanishing point on the horizon provide a sense of depth to structures. This makes elements look three dimensional.
Technical approach: This can be used to combine photos or visual elements and still be consistent with perspective. Photoshop tip: use line tool to create Vs that can be adjusted till a vanishing point is arrived which establishes the horizon, then you can add elements according to that perspective. For instance, consider adding additional human figures to a scene - how do you get the perspective right? Figuring out perspective lines and horizons is important. Our eye line is always on the horizon (Caplin, 2011). Process
The Figure below is an example of how this might be done: |
PurposePerspective provides a three diminutional sense to the items in the image. This can be an important aspects of the message that need to be communicated (Monroy, n.d.)
OrientationThe orientation can also be a factor in understanding perspective. View the slide show below and consider how orientation changes our perspective:
Vanishing Point Filter in Photoshop
Some graphic editors provide automatic ways of creating vanishing points and retaining perspective. The example below uses Photoshop:
Here is another quick video demonstrating how to create the auto perspective using the vanishing point filter in Photoshop:
Additional notes on the vanishing point filter in Photoshop
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References
Caplin, Steve. (2011). Creating perspective with Photoshop. Lynda,com. Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Photoshop-tutorials/Creating-Perspective-Photoshop/123450
Monroy, Bert. (n. d.). Artistic concept. Lynda.com. Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Photoshop-tutorials/Artistic-Concepts-Bert-Monroy/
Monroy, Bert. (n. d.). Artistic concept. Lynda.com. Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Photoshop-tutorials/Artistic-Concepts-Bert-Monroy/