Uploaded December 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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Perspective means things look smaller in the distance, but WHY? What causes perspective?

jump ahead:
@0:00 Intro
@1:07 Perspective is based on simple principles
@1:46 Refraction is different from perspective
@2:05 Begin with a point light source
@3:01 A pinhole camera (diagram)
@5:33 Deriving the equations from the diagram
@7:35 Forced perspective example
@8:28 Deriving the equation for apparent height vs distance
@10:27 Angular size
@12:03 Equation for angular size
@12:30 Curved horizons are not perspective
@12:50 Other false claims about perspective
@13:41 Rebuttal: Vision is light hitting your eyes
@14:06 Rebuttal: Bending light is called refraction - not perspective
@14:21 Rebuttal: Orthographic views are not dishonest
@15:20 Rebuttal: Accurate graph of apparent height vs distance including perspective
@15:25 Rebuttal: What "compression" actually means in this context

source material:
How To Draw Using 1-Point Perspective by Circle Line Art School: youtube.com/watch?v=XRrKohWdpeQ
Forced perspective photography with action figures by Wire Hon: instagram.com/WireHon
Lake Pontchartrain Transmission Lines Nikon P900 (3/3) - (Flat Earth Debunked) by Soundly youtube.com/watch?v=kADO7nkt-rk
Lens Compression Doesn't Exist - Here's Why by Fstoppers: youtube.com/watch?v=_TTXY1Se0eg

My previous video on experimental investigation of perspective: youtube.com/watch?v=n9co3x6Fdbc