This is probably parallel vertical heresy...

...but, in a lot of images, mine as well as others, making sure verticals are parallel, especially with taller buildings makes them look like they are larger at the top than bottom.

Here's a portfolio of images from a job last fall: http://architecture.dm​wfotos.com/lifescience​/

I struggled to get the images looking "right" for verticals. I was surprised how often the image that was most visually pleasing didn't have parallel verticals using the guides in Photoshop.

Thoughts?

dmward wrote in post #18504706
...but, in a lot of images, mine as well as others, making sure verticals are parallel, especially with taller buildings makes them look like they are larger at the top than bottom.

Here's a portfolio of images from a job last fall: http://architecture.dm​wfotos.com/lifescience​/

I struggled to get the images looking "right" for verticals. I was surprised how often the image that was most visually pleasing didn't have parallel verticals using the guides in Photoshop.

Thoughts?

I totally agree with your perfect verticals comment. Look at the TS17 and TS24 threads to see this. I think non perfect verticals work better in some architecture images.

An interior room with 8 foot ceilings should be basically perfect.

One or two story houses should generally be perfect.

I rarely make any thing taller perfect. The taller the building the more absurd it can look. The only exception that comes to my tired mind is if the camera is not at ground level. If camera perspective is in the middle of the large room/building height, keeping them parallel and vertical can be important.

In real life our eyes don't see tall buildings as having exactly parallel verticals. There is a slight convergence so it make sense that it will look a little odd if tall verticals are exactly parallel. It isn't as extreme as the camera causes but it is there. For that reason I tend to leave a little convergence when adjusting taller buildings.

Yes, you can have things too perfect. But, re-introducing a wee bit of keystoning in post 'straightens' the building out for the eye. Only a smidgen, mind you, a degree or two, no more. The taller the building, the more 'correction' you need. Short buildings are OK with the verticals remaining truly vertical.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18504719
An interior room with 8 foot ceilings should be basically perfect.

One or two story houses should generally be perfect.

I rarely make any thing taller perfect. The taller the building the more absurd it can look. The only exception that comes to my tired mind is if the camera is not at ground level. If camera perspective is in the middle of the large room/building height, keeping them parallel and vertical can be important.

That’s about the height considerations use as well.

dmward wrote in post #18504706
...but, in a lot of images, mine as well as others, making sure verticals are parallel, especially with taller buildings makes them look like they are larger at the top than bottom.

Here's a portfolio of images from a job last fall: http://architecture.dm​wfotos.com/lifescience​/

I struggled to get the images looking "right" for verticals. I was surprised how often the image that was most visually pleasing didn't have parallel verticals using the guides in Photoshop.

Thoughts?

The Greek architects 2,500 years ago understood this. That's why the columns of buildings from that era taper slightly towards the top. It's because of the way our brains interpret what we see.

I've been meaning to comment on this in relation to photos of buildings for some time, but didn't want to offend people. Yes, perfect verticals do look like they're larger at the top. Verticals should be adjusted so they look right to the eye, i.e. with a tiny bit of tapering.

Pippan wrote in post #18504896
The Greek architects 2,500 years ago understood this. That's why the columns of buildings from that era taper slightly towards the top. It's because of the way our brains interpret what we see.

I've been meaning to comment on this in relation to photos of buildings for some time, but didn't want to offend people. Yes, perfect verticals do look like they're larger at the top. Verticals should be adjusted so they look right to the eye, i.e. with a tiny bit of tapering.

I remember the greek columns from art history. For some reason that eluded me when i was trying to figure out why the "true" verticals in photos make the buildings look weird.