Flat space

Image space that suppresses recession and presents shapes and color fields close to the picture plane.

Visual traits

• A legible placement or extent within the image
• Space and boundaries that retain a relationship to the subject

Expected changes

• Eye flow and the reading of the subject are more likely to change
• The requested placement or extent is more likely to be emphasized

Definition

Reduces foreground-background separation and emphasizes overlap and arrangement of planes; it does not mean absent perspective or an unfinished background.

In more detail

It adjusts placement, spatial depth, or visible extent without choosing the subject or medium. It can be combined with separate composition, viewpoint, lighting, and color directions.

Includes

• Image space that suppresses recession and presents shapes and color fields close to the picture plane.

Excludes

• Deep recession into distance, A low-resolution or unfinished background

What this does not imply

• A particular subject era or region
• A particular medium or rendering method
• Technical lens exposure or lighting settings

Variability

Its strength varies with scale, empty space, and overlap, so specify the subject-setting relationship separately when needed.

Usage

• Suppress depth separation and layer shapes and color fields near the picture plane
• Specify subject medium and lighting separately when needed

Distinguish similar expressions

• Add a separate direction for perspective or viewpoint when required
• Use a subject direction when choosing a kind of subject rather than image structure

Typical uses

• Suppress depth separation and layer shapes and color fields near the picture plane
• Compare the same subject in a different image structure

Possible failure modes

• The requested image relationship is not legible
• It is substituted for a subject or medium direction