How do you create a convincing forced perspective illusion with your camera?

1 Choose a theme

The first step is to decide what kind of illusion you want to create with your camera. Do you want to make someone look like a giant or a dwarf, or make an object seem closer or farther than it is? Think of a theme that suits your purpose and imagination, and look for inspiration from other photographers or online sources. For example, you could create a scene where a person holds a miniature Eiffel Tower in their hand, or where a car appears to be flying in the air.

2 Find a location

The next step is to find a suitable location for your forced perspective illusion. You need a place that has enough space and depth to arrange your subjects and create the desired effect. You also need to consider the lighting, the background, and the angle of view. Ideally, you want a location that has a clear horizon line, such as a beach, a park, or a rooftop, and that has a uniform and contrasting background, such as the sky, a wall, or a building.

3 Set up your camera

The third step is to set up your camera and tripod for your forced perspective illusion. You need to use a wide-angle lens, preferably between 18mm and 35mm, to capture more of the scene and exaggerate the perspective. You also need to use a small aperture, such as f/16 or f/22, to increase the depth of field and keep everything in focus. Finally, you need to use a tripod to stabilize your camera and avoid any movement or distortion.

4 Position your subjects

The fourth step is to position your subjects in the scene according to your theme and plan. You need to experiment with the distance and alignment of your subjects to create the illusion of scale and proportion. For example, if you want to make someone look larger than another person, you need to place them closer to the camera and lower on the horizon line, and make sure they overlap slightly. If you want to make an object look farther than it is, you need to place it higher on the horizon line and away from the camera, and make sure it does not overlap with anything else.

5 Take your shot

The fifth step is to take your shot and check the result on your camera screen. You need to make sure that your subjects are in focus, that the illusion is clear and convincing, and that there are no unwanted elements or distractions in the frame. You may need to adjust your camera settings, your tripod position, or your subjects' placement until you get the desired effect. You can also take multiple shots from different angles or perspectives to create more variations.

6 Edit your photo

The final step is to edit your photo and enhance your forced perspective illusion. You can use any photo editing software or app that you prefer, and apply some basic adjustments such as cropping, straightening, sharpening, contrast, saturation, and color balance. You can also use some creative filters or effects to add some flair or mood to your photo, such as black and white, sepia, or vintage. However, be careful not to overdo it or alter the original illusion too much.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?