This exercise asks that we choose a subject in front of a background with depth. Select the shortest focal length setting possible (for me this was 24mm using EF 24-105 lens with a Canon 5D mkII). Take a photograph from a close and low viewpoint.
This is the image I settled on.
As can be seen from this image, the result is a very distorted view of what is actually in front of the lens. The apparent rate at which the tractors recede into the background i.e. their comparative size is accentuated, causing extreme implied diagonals. The tyre closest to the lens gives the feel of it almost coming out of the image. Looking at the image as a flat picture, the nearest tyre takes up a little under half of the picture, again accentuating the distortion created. It is difficult to pick out any true verticals in this photo due to the nature of the subject matter. However, looking at the side of the nearest tractor as a ‘complete face’ you can start to see what effect the camera has had on it. It has an overall sense of towering above, created by the lens making all vertical lines converge. It is a fantastic technique for creating drama and a sense of movement, (tempering the extreme position of the camera will give you a more realistic image, but also keep the senses of movement and drama) but no good whatsoever if you were looking to ‘accurately record’ information or worse still looking to create a flattering portrait of somebody. Using this technique, the subject’s head would be disproportionately small and lacking in detail, whereas the legs would look long and consume most of the image space.
I see! 