P3D Re: short, normal, long lenses

[bercov@xxxxxxxxxxx (John Bercovitz)]

> Actually I believe both taking and viewing perspective are controlled
> by the lens to subject placement.  

As I indicated before, I'm not arguing about the perspective being set
by camera position.  That's a no-brainer.  What I did say was that focal
length could help you with determining the correct viewing distance:

> That's exactly correct but focal length can help with the 
> correct image-viewing distance

But here's a way to do it without the focal length.  A little less
convenient maybe but this is a gedanken experiment that shows that
focal length is not a necessary part of perspective in case anyone
remains confused on that point.  All you need to do is put yourself 
in the position of the camera and measure the angle subtended by any
object.  Then when you get the photo, position yourself so that the
image of that object subtends that same angle at your eye.  And then,
need I say it?  Bob's your uncle.

John B


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