Forced perspective is a photography technique that uses optical illusion to make objects in an image appear larger, smaller, further away from, or closer to the camera than their actual size or relative position. Forced perspective photography uses the vantage point of the camera or viewer and the position of the objects in the image to alter human visual perception. 

Photographers and filmmakers use forced perspective to create unique images and scenes in which their subjects appear to interact with objects or people in fantastic and even impossible ways.
There are several famous examples of forced perspective. Some of the most notable include: 

1. __Dioramas__: A diorama, a three-dimensional model, is one of the simplest forms of forced perspective. A diorama places objects on a tilted plane in the foreground and painted objects in the background. The scale of the foreground objects alters visual perceptions to create a false perspective that makes them seem larger than those in the background.
2. __The Eiffel Tower__: One of the most common examples of forced perspective photography is an image of a person appearing to step on a tall structure like the Eiffel Tower or Leaning Tower of Pisa. Placing the person close to the camera while keeping the structure in the distance accomplishes the effect of a giant-sized person and miniature tower.
3. __*The Lord of the Rings*__: Filmmaker Peter Jackson used forced perspective in his Academy Award–winning *Lord of the Rings* trilogy to make the actors who played the tiny hobbits appear half the size of human characters. The position of the actors—relative to the camera—and specific camera angles and props altered visual perceptions so that normal-sized performers appeared larger or smaller than each other. Jackson added a unique wrinkle by using motion control cameras and moving sets to allow the camera to move while still retaining the forced perspective.
There are many useful photography tips for shooting forced perspective images. Some of the best perspective ideas include:

1. __Plan in advance__: Forced perspective photographs need preliminary planning. Consider the composition of your perspective shots, and place your subjects in the correct position within the field of view. The [rule of thirds](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-the-rule-of-thirds-in-photography-how-to-practice-the-rule-of-thirds-and-photography-tips), which divides your image into nine equal sections, is useful for composition. Above all, keep it simple: Concentrate on focus, lighting, and placement.
2. __Placement is key__: The easiest way to do forced perspective is through the position of your subjects in your field of view. Placing an object closer to or further away from the camera will allow them to seem larger or smaller.
3. __Keep it in focus__: A key element to forced perspective photos is keeping all of the subjects in your field of view in focus. You can gain greater [depth of field](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-depth-of-field-in-photography) with a narrow [aperture](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/basic-photography-101-understanding-aperture), such as f/16. A small aperture needs more light, so add more light or increase your [ISO](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-photography-what-is-iso). 
4. __Go wide__: A wide-angle lens will give you a more expansive vista and allow you to get closer to your subject without cropping your background. Any focal length under thirty-five millimeters is a [wide-angle lens](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-a-wide-angle-lens-in-your-photography). Your shutter speed should be the same or larger than the lens’s [focal length](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/basic-photography-101-guide-to-understanding-focal-length) to avoid shaky images.
5. __Zoom and tilt-shift__: If your point of view includes objects at a great distance from the camera, like the sun, a [zoom lens](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/photography-101-what-is-a-zoom-lens) will give you the proper perspective, as long as your foreground subject stands some distance away from the camera. You can also use a tilt-shift lens, which alters the depth of field so that objects appear like miniatures. Tilt-shift lenses can also increase or decrease the amount of [bokeh](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-capture-beautiful-bokeh-in-photography)—blurriness around an object—further enhancing forced perspective.
Become a better photographer with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Annie Leibovitz, Tyler Mitchell, Jimmy Chin, and more.
Forced perspective plays with perception to make objects seem larger or smaller in an image. Learn how to use forced perspective to make creative photography.

Forced perspective plays with perception to make objects seem larger or smaller in an image. Learn how to use forced perspective to make creative photography.

Forced Perspective: 5 Forced Perspective Photography Tips

Forced perspective is a photography technique that uses optical illusion to make objects in an image appear larger, smaller, further away from, or closer to the camera than their actual size or relative position. Forced perspective photography uses the vantage point of the camera or viewer and the position of the objects in the image to alter human visual perception. Photographers and filmmakers use forced perspective to create unique images and scenes in which their subjects appear to interact with objects or people in fantastic and even impossible ways.

What Is Forced Perspective?

There are several famous examples of forced perspective. Some of the most notable include: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Dioramas: A diorama, a three-dimensional model, is one of the simplest forms of forced perspective. A diorama places objects on a tilted plane in the foreground and painted objects in the background. The scale of the foreground objects alters visual perceptions to create a false perspective that makes them seem larger than those in the background. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. The Eiffel Tower: One of the most common examples of forced perspective photography is an image of a person appearing to step on a tall structure like the Eiffel Tower or Leaning Tower of Pisa. Placing the person close to the camera while keeping the structure in the distance accomplishes the effect of a giant-sized person and miniature tower. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. The Lord of the Rings: Filmmaker Peter Jackson used forced perspective in his Academy Award–winning Lord of the Rings trilogy to make the actors who played the tiny hobbits appear half the size of human characters. The position of the actors—relative to the camera—and specific camera angles and props altered visual perceptions so that normal-sized performers appeared larger or smaller than each other. Jackson added a unique wrinkle by using motion control cameras and moving sets to allow the camera to move while still retaining the forced perspective. </li></ol>

3 Examples of Forced Perspective

There are many useful photography tips for shooting forced perspective images. Some of the best perspective ideas include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Plan in advance: Forced perspective photographs need preliminary planning. Consider the composition of your perspective shots, and place your subjects in the correct position within the field of view. The <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-the-rule-of-thirds-in-photography-how-to-practice-the-rule-of-thirds-and-photography-tips' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-the-rule-of-thirds-in-photography-how-to-practice-the-rule-of-thirds-and-photography-tips","linkCopy":"rule of thirds","category":null}'>rule of thirds</a>, which divides your image into nine equal sections, is useful for composition. Above all, keep it simple: Concentrate on focus, lighting, and placement. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Placement is key: The easiest way to do forced perspective is through the position of your subjects in your field of view. Placing an object closer to or further away from the camera will allow them to seem larger or smaller. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Keep it in focus: A key element to forced perspective photos is keeping all of the subjects in your field of view in focus. You can gain greater <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-depth-of-field-in-photography' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-depth-of-field-in-photography","linkCopy":"depth of field","category":null}'>depth of field</a> with a narrow <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/basic-photography-101-understanding-aperture' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/basic-photography-101-understanding-aperture","linkCopy":"aperture","category":null}'>aperture</a>, such as f/16. A small aperture needs more light, so add more light or increase your <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-photography-what-is-iso' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-photography-what-is-iso","linkCopy":"ISO","category":null}'>ISO</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Go wide: A wide-angle lens will give you a more expansive vista and allow you to get closer to your subject without cropping your background. Any focal length under thirty-five millimeters is a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-a-wide-angle-lens-in-your-photography' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-a-wide-angle-lens-in-your-photography","linkCopy":"wide-angle lens","category":null}'>wide-angle lens</a>. Your shutter speed should be the same or larger than the lens’s <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/basic-photography-101-guide-to-understanding-focal-length' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/basic-photography-101-guide-to-understanding-focal-length","linkCopy":"focal length","category":null}'>focal length</a> to avoid shaky images. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Zoom and tilt-shift: If your point of view includes objects at a great distance from the camera, like the sun, a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/photography-101-what-is-a-zoom-lens' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/photography-101-what-is-a-zoom-lens","linkCopy":"zoom lens","category":null}'>zoom lens</a> will give you the proper perspective, as long as your foreground subject stands some distance away from the camera. You can also use a tilt-shift lens, which alters the depth of field so that objects appear like miniatures. Tilt-shift lenses can also increase or decrease the amount of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-capture-beautiful-bokeh-in-photography' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-capture-beautiful-bokeh-in-photography","linkCopy":"bokeh","category":null}'>bokeh</a>—blurriness around an object—further enhancing forced perspective. </li></ol>

5 Tips for Shooting Forced Perspective

Become a better photographer with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Annie Leibovitz, Tyler Mitchell, Jimmy Chin, and more.

Want to Learn More About Photography?

Forced perspective plays with perception to make objects seem larger or smaller in an image. Learn how to use forced perspective to make creative photography.

Forced perspective plays with perception to make objects seem larger or smaller in an image. Learn how to use forced perspective to make creative photography.
