Atmospheric Perspective
There are two important types of Perspective that I teach in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops and in my online classes with the BPSOP. The most common one is Linear Perspective.
This deals with parallel lines that converge at a point on the horizon. As the lines move farther and farther away from the eyes, they appear to converge at a point just before, on, or just past the horizon line. This is better known as a Vanishing Point; a very powerful way to move the viewer around the composition.
The other type and not thought of as much as the first-mentioned is Atmospheric Perspective. This way of seeing (as does Linear) helps the viewer perceive the depth of your composition. Btw, both of these are ways to show in a two-dimensional representation (the photo) three-dimensional reality.
Atmospheric Perspective consists of a gradual decrease in clarity and color, as the area recedes into the distance; which implies a sense of depth. Our air is filled with water vapor containing billions of tiny molecules of water, as well as minute particles of dust, which scatter light waves as they pass through. Shapes appear slightly blurred and a lot less contrast; colors become almost monochromatic.
The above photograph is a perfect example of Atmospheric Perspective. As you can see, the farther away the mountains get the less intense they become; this is what creates the depth.
So, my fellow photographers, next time you’re outside and in a position to look at things across a distance, check out how they appear in your viewfinder. Try to incorporate this concept in your imagery, and see what happens…you’ll be glad you did!
Visit my new website at www.joebaraban.com, and check out my workshop schedule a the top of this blog. Come shoot with me sometime.
JoeB
