articles/Technique/perspective-page1
Make it or Fake it? - Perspective Rules OK! - part 1 of 1 2 3 4
by Mike McNamee Published 01/10/2015
Generally, but not universally, the aim of montage is to bring a number of elements together in as realistic a manner as possible. For believable effect there are a number of characteristics that must be correct and balanced across the various elements within a composite:
- The colour and contrast
- The direction of lighting
- The relative scales
- The sharpness (and blur)
- The image noise/grain
- The perspective
Most of the above may be used (or abused!) for dramatic or even comic effect. Generally though, lack of consistency in colour, lighting, image noise or sharpness tend to flag poor craftsmanship - they should all be in harmony. False perspective is frequently used deliberately. Very typical are what I call the 'big head shots' in which a cut out head or head and shoulders are used with a sympathetic backdrop, eg a Roundhead set against a ballet re-enactment scene. The perspective of these shots is usually false, sometimes grossly so. Such shots have been successful in the enthusiast competition circuit although they seem to have fallen out of favour in the last few years.
Perspective
Perspective rules are mechanically not artistically based. They can be
written down as equations, mapped on grids or calculated by computer.
No artistic input is needed to create an accurate illustration of a building.
However, an image is a two-dimensional rendering from 3-D scene and
so an artistic call sometimes has to be made to create a more satisfying
result. Typically this might involve truing up a converging building. If you
correct the verticals using say a shift lens then the building looks about
to topple over - you might need some residual convergence for realism.
This is also what technically correct 3-D perspective calls for, an additional
vanishing point for the verticals to converge to.
The two classic texts on the subject of perspective are those of Robert
W Gill, published in 1978. My own copies are worth more than £100
if Amazon prices are to be believed! Between them they tell you all
you need to know about perspective drawing and accurate shadow
generation. By the time you have read and digested them, you may wish
you had spent more time getting things done in-camera!
You are currently on page 1
- Make it or Fake it? - Perspective Rules OK! page 1
- Make it or Fake it? - Perspective Rules OK! page 2
- Make it or Fake it? - Perspective Rules OK! page 3
- Make it or Fake it? - Perspective Rules OK! page 4
1st Published 01/10/2015
last update 21/07/2022 08:49:44
More Technique Articles
The Society of Photographers Convention and Trade Show at The Novotel London West, Hammersmith ...
You have 42 days until The Society of Photographers Convention Wednesday 15th January 2025
