How are you doing, how are you doing in the photography field? Hope you are successful and you are ready to absorb new knowledge. Today’s article, although small, is very interesting, because we are examining such a concept as aerial perspective in photography and how do you get it. Surely, many have heard about it, but they have little idea what it is and how it is connected with the creation of the image. Let’s discuss in order why, aerial perspective is so important in photography.
Why Do You Need Aerial Perspective in Photography?
Perspective makes the photo three-dimensional, creating the illusion of versatility and a large space that stretches and goes beyond the horizon, beyond the field of vision.
Photos of various authors differ in their zest. But all of them to a certain extent follow the rules of photography, which greatly improve the pictures and make them easier to understand. One of the photographic principles is to create perspective, or a subjective sense of depth.
Our eyes see the world in three dimensions, assessing the spatial arrangement of objects – those that are close, in the foreground, and those that are far away or receding into the distance. It is much more difficult to convey this in the photo. For this, special techniques are used. In particular, there are three types:
Linear – a common form, it is the use of parallel straight lines and the rhythm of lines going into the distance. The latter includes a road, fence, poles, trees, etc. This technique gives the picture dynamics, and the viewer is interested, especially if at the end of the naturally converging lines, someone or something is in the distance.
Tonal is a perspective that, due to the density of air, creates differences in the assessment of the lightness of distant and adjacent objects. One of the most difficult, in my opinion. A distinction is made between direct and reverse tonal perspective, that is, when the distant object is lighter or, accordingly, darker than the surrounding space.
Air (atmospheric) – shooting in fog, haze, with snow. We can talk about such a perspective when the nearest objects look bright and saturated, and the distant ones gradually fade, their outlines are blurred and the contrast is reduced due to the opacity of the air.
Sometimes tonal and aerial perspective are combined, but this is not entirely true, since they still have different causes and effects. However, they are similar in that they change the tones of objects.
Where to Find and How to Apply Aerial Perspective?
Under what conditions can aerial perspective occur? This is greatly facilitated by humid or, alas, polluted air. By the way, water droplets in the air, like dust, are not very good for the camera, so be aware. After such walks, it will not hurt to clean the lens, and maybe even clean the mirror in the body, at least with a special brush.
In general, it can be said more specifically that aerial perspective can be:
Airborne (water). It speaks for itself: this is a perspective in which both the density of the air and its humidity play an important role. This haze is generated by large water molecules in the environment and is common in nature. You may have noticed this effect near water surfaces – waterfalls, lakes, ponds, etc. The weather and the season significantly affect its manifestation, for example, in winter we can notice rime – small ice crystals that scatter light rays to a certain extent, creating a curtain. It can give the air a slightly bluish color.
Air-Dusty. Particles of earth that are lifted into the air by the wind also interfere with visibility, as if a slightly brownish fog is descending.
Artificial – as a result of the appearance of foreign particles in the air, for example, from factories. Smog can often be observed in the city. Unlike natural haze, it is usually gray in color.
Again, aerial perspective affects the subjects you photograph. It changes them:
- Color, by lowering its saturation, affects lightness.
- Tone by adding blue, tan or others.
- Contrast of light and shadow. They also become less visible.
- Clarity, that is, the subject, by and large, has more or less visible outlines, without details.
There are a great many examples of the correct use of any of the listed prospects. A photo of a bridge receding into the distance from the photographer and lost in the depths of space, a winding mountain stream, many peaks of mountains or hills separated by fog, a chariot (or a modern version – a car) hiding in the dust of the road.
Adding perspective to the composition will give the whole frame versatility and realism, movement, mystery; will help guide the viewer’s gaze.
Your DSLR is your greatest tool that can make history. Find out all the benefits of your DSLR and be one step ahead of those who simply take pictures in automatic mode.
You may also like to read: Landscape Photography Tips: 8 Questions to Ask Before Shooting
That’s all I wanted to tell you about aerial perspective. I hope it became clearer to you what it is. I say goodbye, but not for long. I was glad to share my knowledge. I am waiting for you again on my blog, do not forget to subscribe and share the article.
