Lloyd Godman - Resource - Index - Cameras - lenses - optics © Lloyd Godman

Correcting or controlling Perspective

Parallel lines in a subject photographed from an angle other than 90 converge to a vanishing point.

When the camera is positioned above, below or at the side of the centre of a parallel structure like a building or painting, the structure will appear to tapper in the resulting image. This happens because the projected lines from the corners of the structure through the lens to the opposite corners of the camera frame are nor equal - we see this where X is longer than Y.

This can be corrected to a certain degree by using a longer lens and selecting a viewpoint much further back. As we see in A- B, this results in equlizing the projected lines - the ratio of the two is more even.

Here we see a building that we know has parallel sides tappering in at the top.
This perspective effect can also take place on a horizontal level. where the camera is positioned at one end of a structure.

 

There are several ways perspective can be controlled or corrected in photography.

View Camera Movements

Perspective control lenses

Transform in Photoshop

 


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