Stanley Kubrick's One-Point Perspective

Filmmaker Stanley Kubrick (my favourite director) was big on using one-point perspective for dramatic effect, often with the vanishing point in the dead center of the frame, disorienting the viewer and creating tension for his scenes. Kubrick started off as a photographer and his films are always a visual feast. Film enthusiast kogonada recently took a bunch of Kubrick films, collected the shots showing this technique, and put together this wonderful clip.[petapixel]


Kubrick // One-Point Perspective from kogonada on Vimeo.

One vanishing point is typically used for roads, railway tracks, hallways, or buildings viewed so that the front is directly facing the viewer. Any objects that are made up of lines either directly parallel with the viewer's line of sight or directly perpendicular (the railroad slats) can be represented with one-point perspective. 

Road, Nevada Desert.1960 ~ Ansel Adams

Architectural photographer Julius Shulman mastered a one-point perspective that almost physically draws the viewer into the image.

Architect Raymond Krappe's Pregerson House photographed by Julius Shulman in linear (single-point) perspective.

Julius Shulman

Raphael's "School of Athens" in the Vatican is an excellent example of the simplest version of this so-called linear perspective.


How to Draw with One Point Perspective:

Try incorporating more one-point perspective into your own photographs. Have fun and keep shooting!