Aerial perspective

Foreground forms are clear while distant forms recede in a pale, cool haze.

Visual traits

• Contrast difference between foreground and distance
• Lower saturation and softer edges in distance
• Multiple depth layers

Expected changes

• Distant contrast and detail are more likely to soften
• A sense of separation between foreground and distance is more likely

Definition

Aerial perspective represents increasing distance by reducing contrast and detail and by giving distant forms a lighter, cooler atmospheric veil. It differs from converging linear perspective and from merely adding fog.

In more detail

Darker color, clear edges, and detail remain in the foreground while distant planes soften, making an extended space legible. It can serve terrain, architecture, or figures, but has little effect where no distance layers exist.

Includes

• Distance-based reduction of contrast and detail
• An atmospheric lightening and cooling of distant planes

Excludes

• Depth created only by converging lines such as one-point perspective
• Uniform fog or blur covering the whole subject

What this does not imply

• A particular weather condition or time of day
• Fog rain or snow
• Lens blur or depth of field

Variability

Tune coolness and attenuation to the distance and clarity of the air.

Usage

• Provide several distance layers from foreground to background
• Keep distant contrast lower than foreground contrast

Distinguish similar expressions

• Use one-point perspective when converging lines are the main request
• Use deep space when only the visible depth impression is wanted

Typical uses

• Show distance across a landscape from foreground to mountain range
• Soften receding space in a street or architectural view

Possible failure modes

• Covering the entire image in equally dense fog
• Keeping distant edges and saturation identical to the foreground