Concept Development - Perspective Explained

Perspective is extremely important when constructing a piece of artwork. It describes the relationship

between different elements in the image to the viewer. The first step towards achieving this is to find the horizon line or eye level. The horizon line in art is often described as the eye level because in many cases the horizon line is obscured.

You could have a single point perspective, meaning that all perspective lines converge at the same point on the horizon line. This can be very effective in artwork, because simple designs often have a big impact on the viewer. Two point perspective is when you have two focal points along the horizon line, with perspective lines converging at both points. This kind of perspective gives an image more of a three dimensional feel. It sometimes creates an interesting composition when you have two paths leading away from the viewer. Three point perspective is used when you are looking up or down at objects in a piece of artwork. This perspective type is used massively in the batman comics and cartoons, with the buildings seeming to loom over the city.

This image has a single point perspective, as all perspective lines converge at a single point on the horizon line. Leading the viewers eye on a path through the image can be a good way of balancing a composition. The image also uses the compositional rule of thirds which further adds to the impact of the photograph.