What Is Forced Perspective?

Forced perspective is an optical illusion that makes things look bigger or smaller than they actually are. It makes objects of vastly different sizes, that are at significantly different distances, appear to be of proportionate sizes and at the same focal length. Forced perspective uses visual tricks to give a warped perception of reality. It is commonly used in photographs, television, movies and architecture.

Function

A small object very close to a camera appears large while a big object far away appears small. Our brains usually understand that something is close or far based on relative perspective. In a picture of a skyline, we see everything small but know that buildings are really large. Our brains, therefore, see everything as big from a distance. However, our brains can be tricked by bringing a smaller object closer to the point of view and giving the illusion that it is larger. This is forced perspective.

Effects

In photography, forced perspective can be achieved by positioning objects of different sizes and distances so that they appear to be right next to each other. An example would be placing a toy car close to the camera with a car dealership in the background. If placed correctly, the toy will appear to be a full-sized car. It is also a common photographic effect to make a person appear to be touching something large that is far away. For example, holding the moon in his hand or touching the top of a tall building.

Features

Forced perspective is a commonly used trick in films. Movie sets and location shoots are expensive. It is much cheaper to film actors in front of paintings, photographs or miniature models giving the illusion that they are in a much bigger place. Small objects can also appear to be very large by placing them close to the camera and shooting actors from far away. Old-time monster movies used to use this trick.

Potential

In live entertainment, like theater or haunted houses, forced perspective is used to present the illusion of size. This is done by created a horizon at eye level and lines tapering into the horizon. This can make a flat surface appear to be a long hallway or road. Light and dark colors are used to give the illusion of depth. Objects that are meant to look further away are made smaller and with a fuzzier focus. This mimics how your eye sees things naturally.

Size

Forced perspective has been used for thousands of years in architecture. Builders of ancient temples, like the Parthenon, built stone columns curving slightly outward in the middle. This gives them the illusion of being straight and longer than they actually are. Symbols on temples were made larger the higher they were off the ground. This made all the writing appear to be the same size from the ground. Amusement parks like Disneyland and the theme casinos of Las Vegas use forced perspective. The sides of avenues converge toward the end to make them appear longer. Landmarks are made to scale and placed closer. This makes them appear much larger than they actually are.