Townsend Harris High School
Mr. Anthony Barbetta, Principal
Workshop in Artistic Exploration
MM Wischerth, Teacher of Art
What is atmospheric perspective?
By TAL | Published: NOVEMBER 1, 2009
Photo by Hans-Peter
Atmospheric perspective – also called aerial perspective – is the effect you get
when far away objects take on the colors of atmospheric haze.
Read on to discover important things you need to know about atmospheric
perspective:
(1) Objects’ saturation decreases with distance.
Distant objects’ colors blend with and take on some of the atmosphere’s colors. So
they lose their original color saturation and take on the atmosphere’s saturation. If
you’re working in gray scale, then the more distant objects gradually acquire the
value (tone) of the atmosphere with distance. The following 2 diagrams illustrate
this point:
London skyscrapers tinted blue by the atmosphere.
Photo by Eyal Trachtman
Atmospheric Tinting Increases
with Distance
Diagram based on photo by Hans-Peter
Saturation decreases
with Distance
(2) Edges remain sharp even when far away.
(3) As the aerial perspective effect intensifies (e.g. heavy fog, pollution), the distance at
which objects take on the atmosphere’s color and value decreases.
With these points in mind, try noticing the aerial perspective effect when you’re
outside, in artists’ paintings, photographs, video games, in movies and on TV. It is
an effect that is used often and adds mood, beauty, drama, and a cinematic quality
to imagery.
Adapted from Source: http://www.arthints.com/what-is-atmospheric-perspective/