InIn FocusFocus

The Differences Between Photos and The Differences Between Photos and Real Life PerceptionReal Life Perception

Colours in a photo are not reproduced exactly, Colours in a photo are not reproduced exactly, and are reduced to shades of gray in black and and are reduced to shades of gray in black and white photos.white photos.

The human eye can detect details in a high-The human eye can detect details in a high-contrast subject, but a photograph can only contrast subject, but a photograph can only reproduce a limited range of tones.reproduce a limited range of tones.

When we look at something only a small central When we look at something only a small central area is in focus at a time, but the eye focuses area is in focus at a time, but the eye focuses quickly while scanning so we don’t notice this. quickly while scanning so we don’t notice this. A camera can only focus on a single plane at one A camera can only focus on a single plane at one distance. The additional material that can be distance. The additional material that can be brought into focus with depth of field is limited.brought into focus with depth of field is limited.

The mind can filter out unwanted visual The mind can filter out unwanted visual information, when viewing the original. information, when viewing the original. Unwanted information in a scene is faithfully Unwanted information in a scene is faithfully reproduced in a photo and can be distracting. reproduced in a photo and can be distracting.

Depth perception is lost in a two-dimensional Depth perception is lost in a two-dimensional image. The depiction of depth in a photo relies image. The depiction of depth in a photo relies on the relative size of objects, convergence of on the relative size of objects, convergence of parallel lines and atmospheric details.parallel lines and atmospheric details.

We can control the final We can control the final appearances of photos by appearances of photos by trying to visualize what the trying to visualize what the photo will look like before photo will look like before we take it.we take it.