298 THREE-DIMENSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHYFig. 20-1. Simple geometric figures illustrate principles of stereo
drawing.at it from an angle, downward and in front of us, with one corner
of the plan nearest us. Lay a square sheet of paper upon the
ground, five or six feet in front of you and with one corner point-
ing toward you. That is the visual shape the perspective plan will
have. The nearest point of the plan (the corner) will lie in the
horizon line.
The horizon line should be near the center of the drawing
paper. Then, between that horizon and the bottom of the paper
and somewhat near the center, place the station point. The selec-
tion of this point is wholly arbitrary and your skill, as you pro-
gress, will be reflected in the pleasing appearance of the objects,
which is largely controlled by the selection of this point.
The details of drawing the plan are somewhat complex but are
not at all difficult to learn. There are several textbooks available
which treat the subject of perspective in a manner easily under-
stood by everyone, even those unacquainted with either drawing
or mathematics.*
In the second step, the perspective plan is substituted for the
station point. Verticals are erected from each significant point of
the plan. These verticals, which in the cube consist of one vertical
from each corner of the plan, represent the actual verticals in the
finished drawing. In our example these would comprise the four
- An excellent book for ‘the beginner is “Perspective, An Elementary Textbook,”
by Ben J. Lubschez (Van Nostrand).