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Natural Science Forum / Physics / Optics / December 2008Preference for field of view
Hello, I remember reading statements about how "viewers" prefer images with a horizontal field of view not beyond X, with X somewhere around 120 degrees. This was not in academic sources, however, but rather in photography manuals trying to explain why extreme wide angle images are objectionable. At the same time, I know that this kind of preference varies with time, in the '80s suddenly extreme wide angle and even fisheye (a different kettle of fish, I know...) became acceptable and even fashionable. Someone, somewhere, must have done some experiments on the topic. Google doesn't know about it, though. The ISI Web of Science offers no joy. Would anyone be kind enough to provide me with a reference on the subject? thank you very much, Walter PS Notice that I am not referring to the angle of view, i.e. the angle subtended by the display device placed in front of the viewer, but rather to the (horizontal e.g.) angle represented in the image that is presented in the display. In other words, what is commonly called FOV in computer graphics or when describing a lens. > Hello, > I remember reading statements about how "viewers" prefer images with [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > presented in the display. In other words, what is commonly called FOV > in computer graphics or when describing a lens. Depends a lot on what the viewer is viewing. In a Planetarium you would be content to explore a field of 180 deg in any plane.  SignatureGraham. %Profound_observation% One place to look would be the fascinating book "Optics, Painting, and Photography," by Pirenne, published around 1970. I don't have it handy. I seem to recall reading that most artists prefer to do drawings and paintings with a FOV comparable to an 80-mm lens on a 35-mm camera (24 x 36-mm film), which is narrower than normally considered a "normal lens." > One place to look would be the fascinating book "Optics, Painting, and > Photography," by Pirenne, published around 1970. I don't have it handy. > > I seem to recall reading that most artists prefer to do drawings and > paintings with a FOV comparable to an 80-mm lens on a 35-mm camera (24 x > 36-mm film), which is narrower than normally considered a "normal lens." It isn't rocket science--portraits are usually of the head and shoulders, perhaps 24 by 30 inches at life size, or thereabouts. The most natural perspective is at a distance of 60-70 inches or so--like sitting across the table. That perspective gives a sense of intimacy without making you feel you're sitting in the subject's lap. So the focal length you want is somewhere around 3 times the small dimension of the film frame, i.e. about 75 mm. You can argue about the image size you want, which will change the focal length you choose, but the main thing is the viewing perspective. Cheers, Phil Hobbs On Nov 26, 10:56 am, "walter.apr...@gmail.com" <Walter.Apr...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hello, > I remember reading statements about how "viewers" prefer images with [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > presented in the display. In other words, what is commonly called FOV > in computer graphics or when describing a lens. On Nov 26, 10:56 am, "walter.apr...@gmail.com" <Walter.Apr...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hello, > I remember reading statements about how "viewers" prefer images with [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > presented in the display. In other words, what is commonly called FOV > in computer graphics or when describing a lens. Walter: This may be your angle of view or the two may be related not sure from your post. In the digital projector light engine world or screen viewing world the most comfortable viewing is when the full horizontal field of view is a 60 degree angle. This is because you can view all on the screen by scanning the eyes in their sockets without having to rotate your neck left to right. Viewers of larger screen field of views must rotate their head left and right and report extra fatigue - ever been to a imax, your looking all over to see everything. If you move back 2 screen widths from the center of the screen this is the best viewing spot in the house and also ~60 degree full field. When we go to the theater to see a movie, I always take my tape measure and sit exactly two screen widths back from the screen, my wife and kids always get made when I break out the tape but it works - just kidding. Michael |
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