Perspective control

[pappy]

I know some like converging lines....it depends, of course, on the degree. I took this picture purely for a lesson in perspective control and I have made an attempt to correct it as much as possible, however, I am a novice at this so any tips would be very much appreciated:

http://members.shaw.ca/pjobbins/G3/bldg.jpg

Attempted correction:

http://members.shaw.ca/pjobbins/G3/bldg2.jpg

Regards,
Peter

[Stoneh]

The main building is slightly leaning to the left, the big tower blocks on the right looks as though its leaning to the right becaus eof it??

Looks like a very difficult process to get right

These comments are from a newbie btw

[pappy]

Yes, thanks stoneh...the grid lines showed the right side to be upright but the left side of the front building is out of whack, I know...

Regards,
Peter

[Conk]

Looks like lens distortion in the corrected photo. I like it though.

[pappy]

Thanks, Colin...I did try a little more but I've looked at it so much I can't tell, looks like the tall building on the right is losing it now:

http://members.shaw.ca/pjobbins/G3/bldg3.jpg

Regards,
Peter

[Stoneh]

I think this particular shot is very difficult as it has too many verticles!! the alighnment of teh tall buildings windows etc.

I can imagine the nightmare peter, keep looking at teh small adjustemenst must drive you crazeh!

[CyberDyneSystems]

I agree that I think you may have picked an exceptionally difficult task with so many verticals and varying distances!

The first "correction" looks as though it was taken too far,. the second image is improved,. but again with so much going on ? It may be difficult to come up with something that looks natural.

[pappy]

Thanks stoneh and CDS - yes, I suppose that I have to settle for the best I can do here and you're both right, too many vertical lines.

Regards,
Peter

[Conk]

Maybe try using the original effect that you are trying to get rid of to your advantage. A tighter crop to the right. The way it is in the first image draws my eyes upward. Has this image already been croped?

[pappy]

No, it's been cropped during my attempts to control the perspective but the original uncropped is at the top.

Regards,
Peter

[henkbos]

Peter,

Difficult task. I would rather use the distort funtion in PS than the perspective function. You have more control with that. Sometimes it is necessary to strech a shot first (resize while untagging the constraints).
Have fun!

OK, gave it a few minutes:
http://www.henkbos.com/web_pics/bldg.jpg

[pappy]

Now that looks better, Henk, the road is now level. I hadn't thought of that method but it makes sense. This was triggered for me by eland's suggestion in the cathedral thread and I thought I had better try to learn about it.

Thanks for your advice, I will go home and try this tonight.

Regards,
Peter

[henkbos]

I suggest that you follow this procedure:
- FIRST check if your shot is level (yours wasn't) and rotate accordingly
- play around with perspective. It might be good enough. If not you can see if the buildings will be too compressed. If so, stretch the piture first (10%)
- play around with distort.

Main thing is that there should be no increase in width towards the top. In one of the posted examples you can cleary see that the building is falling towards you, instead of bakwards. Also the windows in the first building seem to get wider closer to the top.

Never try to get rid of all of the distortion. People are so used to it, that a shot without will look unnatural.

[pappy]

Thanks a lot Henk, I really do appreciate your advice. I will try it....weather was too nice to be inside last night ;)

Regards,
Peter