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A22 Perspective Rule #2
A22 Perspective Rule #2
Take your shot from the left
Take your shot from the left
When the straight shot (#1) is not possible, please aim for the shot from the left (#2).
It could be any other perspective, but taking your shots from the left has a few small advantages over the other perspectives. These include:
- You normally don't need to climb up high or get down low to get these shots.
- Perspectives in the middle row are faster to read for Maps users compared to perspectives exemplified in the top row and the bottom row. The middle row perspectives are also more 'natural' and aesthetically pleasing due to their plumb vertical lines. Only to mess with one of these at a time: pan, tilt, and roll.
- Where text is read left-to-right the first letters in store names will be slightly bigger and hence easier to read compared to shots from the right.
A shot from the left.
A shot from the right.
Notice, how the first word in the store name (VÆRKSTED) seems smaller and hence harder to read compared to the shot from the left.
Consistency
Consistency
To help Maps users it's relevant to stick to a few perspectives. This makes it a lot easier when many pictures are shown on lists with tiny icons close together on a small mobile screen. If your perspectives are not consistent you are not representing the places appropriately. This is especially relevant if you strive to have your photos selected as cover photos.
So aiming for shots from the left when the straight shot is not possible will contribute to consistency in perspectives across places where your shots are cover photos.
Break the rule when needed
Break the rule when needed
Sometimes shooting from the right is better. Some examples are given below.
Here a van parked on the sidewalk makes shooting from the left impossible.
Here the entrance and the store name are aligned to the right. Hence it makes more sense to shot from the right. This makes the store name relatively bigger and easier to read.
In this example, shooting from the right is better because the parking sign blocks the view when taken from the left side.
Straight shots and shots from the left and right all the one thing in common: All the vertical sides are plumb. They are parallel to the edges of the image. This makes photos aesthetically pleasing and the perspectives very easy and quick to read for Maps users.
From the left
The straight shot
From the right
The secret to having plumb vertical lines (| |) is the fact that the camera is not tilted and held at a height which is approximately 50% of the height of the storefront or building being photographed. This height is called the center height. If you hold the camera much lower or higher than the Center height you can't get the vertical lines plumb.
Learn some tricks to deal with this in the next module called Plumb vertical lines.
Hit the "Suggested next page" below to get started. Give it a try!
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