Play with perspective photography.

Put perspective photography into perspective.

Perspective in photography refers to the spatial relationship between subjects in the frame. It also suggests that the way you compose your image helps your viewer see the world from a new perspective — yours.

“It’s the difference between a really good photo that you want to look at and something that’s bland or flat,” says photographer David Rose. Be prepared to move around and work the scene to find your shot — compelling perspectives are rarely found at eye level. Try leading lines, forced perspective, low angles, or a bird’s-eye view to tell your story in a way that communicates your unique point of view.

How to create perspective in your photos.

Good photos start with good ideas, so before you press the shutter, think about what you’re trying to capture. Take in the scene and note what is in the foreground, middle ground, and background. Once you know what elements you have to work with, you can position yourself to include the items you want in your photo and exclude those that don’t contribute to the story.

Decide on a clear focal point. “This directs your viewer’s eyes exactly where you want them to end up,” says Rose. Then, the key part — switch up your vantage point. Move the camera up and down or side to side. Create an enlarged foreground by photographing at ground level, or look for objects that can help frame your image. Play with depth of field (the distance between the nearest and farthest objects) or discover how different angles bring out geometric shapes.

There’s no right or wrong way to approach perspective photos, and that’s part of the fun. No matter what you do, don’t settle for the first shot that jumps out at you. Listen to your instincts, but remember to slow down and explore the scene, so you can discover compositions that might be hiding in plain sight. “I take dozens of shots of the same scene,” says photographer Dan Tom. “Then in post-production, I go back and pick out my favorite.”

Image by Dan Tom

Correct perspective in post with Adobe.

Use Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Lightroom to correct perspective in your photos. If you photograph architecture, you might find that tall buildings and objects with straight lines tend to get distorted. You can use the Perspective Warp tool in Photoshop to restore parallel lines, or the Geometry panel in Lightroom to correct perspective automatically.

You also communicate your perspective as a photographer in how you edit. Did you see the scene as a moody black-and-white photo, or did you visualize your image in bright colors with lots of contrast? The choices you make as you edit can bring your photographic vision to life, and they can be a fun part of the photography process itself, so don’t skimp on post-production.

Image by David Rose

Find a new frame of reference.

Perspective, whether visual or conceptual, is a skill you get better at over time. Remember that it’s not so much about what you see but how you see it, and it takes repeated practice to get into the habit of photographing the world through your unique lens.

Whether you’re just getting started or this is your thousandth photoshoot, don’t put pressure on yourself to capture any one shot or one perspective. Be open to moments and opportunities as they come, and take risks. Pay attention to what you’re naturally drawn to, and soon enough you’ll start to find your own unique style and perspective.

Contributors

David Rose, Dan Tom