Different Types of Perspectives
The four types of perspectives include; aerial perspective, linear perspective, perspective of scale and perspective of receding planes.
Aerial Perspective:
Bio Details:
Richard Garvey-Williams is an award winning wildlife and landscape photographer and author. Having spent much of his up-bringing in East Africa, frequent family safaris left him with an awe for the amazing wildlife of that continent. He graduated with a degree in Zoology from Manchester University and only later was his passion for the natural world re-kindled, largely through his other love: photography. He is now based in Devon, but regularly returns to Africa leading photographic safaris.
Image Analysis:
This image uses aerial perspective to create depth within the image. The more distant the object is, the paler it appears due to dust particles in the atmosphere. Therefore, we tend to assume that paler objects in an image are more distant.
How the image is constructed/reported:
Side or back lighting might for example simplify and emphasize the ‘layering’ and tonal variations of hills or mountains receding into the distance. Constructed to give depth to the image and to convey the scale of the scenery to the viewer.
Linear Perspective:
Bio Details:
After spending many years directing commercial photography all over the world, David now shoots product, fashion and portrait photography from his purpose built studios in Yorkshire. As well as his commercial studio work, he has combined his photography with his love of travel and subsequently travels extensively photographing landscapes, architecture , people and wildlife all over the globe. Last year, David had sales in over 20 countries across publications ranging from “Hello Magazine” to the centre spreads of the UK’s Guardian and Daily Mail Newspapers.
Image Analysis:
This image uses linear perspective by the use of the tram lines on the floor, this provides the viewer with a way to read the image when they first look at it. The lines make the viewer naturally start at the bottom of the image and follow the lines up towards the tram, therefore making them read bottom to top rather than top to bottom which is what a viewer may normally do instinctively.
How the image is constructed/reported:
This image has been constructed by keeping the background of the image i.e. the tram in clear focus whereas the tram lines appear to be slightly off focus in some parts and in focus in other parts. The low angle shot has been used both technically and creatively e.g. the camera has to be at a low angle to include the tram lines in the foreground, but this technique also creates a sense of danger coming from the tram as the viewer appears to be looking up at the tram, a perspective that they may never see in a real life situation. This therefore causes a sense of uncertainty in the viewer.
Perspective of Scale:
Bio Details:
Mark Thode is a photographer & digital artist based out of his hometown of Pipestone, MN. Thode graduated from Pipestone Area High School in 2007. Having been taking photographs from a very young age, he pursued the graphic arts at Bemidji State University, where he earned high honours for his graphic design works and studies. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Design Technology in the spring of 2011. He now resides in Pipestone, MN, and works for Pipestone Publishing as a full time graphic designer, and owns and operates Mark Thode Photography & Design.
Image Analysis:
This image falls into the category of perspective of scale, this is due to the way the photograph was taken, the image makes the wheel of the car appear much larger than the car itself, therefore using perspective to alter the scaled reality. The wheel acts as the main focal point in the image and persuades the viewer to read the image from left to right, starting with the large, over scaled wheel and moving over to the rest of the, seemingly small car.
How the image is constructed/reported:
The photograph is constructed in such a way that an impression is created that there is depth to the photograph. This is created by the relationship between elements in the image - showing the space between them and giving a sense of depth. Our brains need to discern which elements are near and which are far away. If we can do this, then the sense of perspective is created and the third dimension is added.
Perspective of Receding Planes:
Bio Details:
Fredrick Evans was an English photographer whose studies of cathedrals in England and France are considered among the world’s finest architectural photographs. After purchasing a quarter-plate camera, suitable for landscape work, and educating himself in art history, Evans retired from bookselling in 1898 to devote all of his time to photographing the cathedrals of England and France.
Image Analysis:
This photograph is an example of perspective of receding lines as the image appears to be quite flat and layered. This is due to the cathedral being layered behind the buildings in the city. The viewer is not directly told where to begin when reading this image, as some viewers may begin at the top whereas others could begin at the bottom and follow the lines of the cathedral up towards the top of the image.
How the image constructed/reported:
The perspective of this image has been constructed so that the cathedral is placed directly behind the smaller buildings of the city. Even though the cathedral appears to be a lighter tone of grey, making it seem further away, it still remains as the main focus point of the image.
