The rule of thirds is an indispensable guideline for composing commercial images, but there are other options out there! Have you tried using vanishing points to create perspective in your photographs? This is a concept that is used frequently in drawings and illustrations, but seems to receive less attention from photographers.

A vanishing point is a point in an image where lines that are parallel in the 3D world converge in a 2D image. This adds perspective and the appearance of distance to an image. Take a look at images below and see how they have applied this concept to great advantage.



In the first mage, the photog has used the converging lines of the skyscrapers to give an increased sense of height and size to the buildings. I like the way the vanishing point in the second image adds a feeling of movement to the speeding car! In the third image, the use of a vanishing point increases the perception of length in the hotel corridor adding a sense of isolation to the picture, since the man appears to be walking down a very long corridor all alone.

What can you do to add a sense of uniqueness to your images using vanishing points? Grab your camera or your sketchbook and try it out. With a little forethought and planning, you should get great results.

I'm always checking out new resources to increase my understanding of art and photography. This is the latest thing on my reading list: You Can Draw in 30 Days I decided to look at resources regarding drawing, because it seems that illustration is becoming an essential skill in the microstock business, but I'm finding many of the principles carry over to my photography. Share with me on Twitter @CynthiaPhotos