Perspective Distortion & Corrections: Architectural Photography

Digital cameras used for architecture often display vertical lines as non-parallel. The closer the photographer has to stand, the wider angle a lens used and/or the more the camera is aimed up or down, the more pronounced this perspective distortion will be. In the film days, an adjustable large format film camera was used to correct this distortion. Lenses that can correct this distortion are very limited on digital cameras. In most cases with a digital camera, this distortion is corrected in Photoshop.

#1: Out of Camera File
#1: Out of Camera File

Everything in this capture contributed to the perspective distortion: limited room to backup, a very wide angle lens and the camera slightly tilted downward.

Copyright © 2004 by Elite

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  • #1: Out of Camera File

    Everything in this capture contributed to the perspective distortion: limited room to backup, a very wide angle lens and the camera slightly tilted downward.

    Copyright © 2004 by Elite

  • #2: Red Lines

    Two red lines have been superimposed onto the image to illustrate the problem.

    Copyright © 2004 by Elite

  • #3: Partial Photoshop Correction

    Often an image looks best when 80% corrected, showing only a slight perspective distortion. Notice that the yellow lines are almost parallel.

    Copyright © 2004 by Elite

  • #4: Full Photoshop Correction

    Other times a fully corrected file is desirable. Note the fully parallel green lines.

    Copyright © 2004 by Elite

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