Playing with Perspective in Your Image Composition

Perspective is one of the techniques used in image composition. It presents a three-dimensional subject or scene in a two-dimensional plane, and here is where your creativity lies. With the proper use of perspective you can give your shots more impact, by showing the relationships between objects in terms of distance, depth, space and scale. This gives the viewer the illusion that he is not just looking at a flat sheet of photo paper or the computer screen, but at something that actually has form.

Use Linear Perspective in Your Composition

Linear perspective in visual arts is a commonly used method for showing depth. Parallel lines, which seem to converge in the distance, are usually found in paintings, photographs, digital images, and other two-dimensional visual media. The spot where the lines seem to meet is called the ‘vanishing point’ and does not necessarily have to be visible on the horizon.

This photo of a wooden bridge gives an example of how linear perspective works. The parallel lines direct our eyes at the green field beyond the bridge. The vanishing point cannot be seen, however, it is strongly implied. Symmetry is also more apparent and can be exploited with the use of linear perspective in your composition.

Photo by Colin-47

In this photo of Place des Victoires below, the lines are evident, but not symmetrical in the center of the frame. The parallel lines of the road and rows of buildings converge at the distance, where the statue of Louise XIV is situated. This strategic way of using perspective in the composition makes the shot dramatic and certainly captures our attention. Aside from roads, other popular examples of parallel lines that can show linear perspective are tunnels and railroad tracks.

Photo by jfgornet

Perspective Can Be Shown with Dwindling Sizes

When we look at a scene, similar objects that are further away from us seem to be smaller in size compared to those that are near. This observation is another way for perspective to be used in our photo composition. In this image the flowers seem larger than the tree branches, since the flowers are closer to the camera.

Photo by LaPrimaDonna

It is also a great photo to demonstrate how our camera angle or viewpoint can drastically alter the perspective of a subject. Normally, we would look at plants and trees at eye-level, where the tree trunk is relatively the same size all throughout, and where the yellow flowers appear small and insignificant. By shooting from a low angle with the lens facing upward, our visual perception of the sizes of the plants have changed.

Capture Atmospheric Perspective

Atmospheric perspective is another way to present the distance of objects in your photographic composition. Atmospheric haze becomes more obvious the greater the distance. This means that the more distant an object is, the mistier and less defined it becomes. This condition is most evident in mountain landscape shots, such as this photo below:

Photo by Sean F

Fun with Forced Perspective

Since perspective can be manipulated to give illusions of scale, size and distance in a photo, many photographers use it to make fun and wacky shots. Many photos abound where the sun seems to be pinched between two fingertips, or where toy cars on the grass seem huge with just the right camera angle and viewpoint.

This photo below is an effective way of using forced perspective in a composition. The man seems to be held up by the woman by his foot, although we know that he has to be lying in the field, far away from her.

Photo by inhisgrace

Perspective can usually be found in most photographs, whether or not it was our intention to include it. Why not take advantage of this photographic technique by deliberately composing your shots to make the perspective more visible and useful to highlight your subject and message.