![depth perception definition depth perception definition](https://people.eecs.ku.edu/~jrmiller/Stereo/Section_01/images/PerspectiveRoad.jpg)
Closer objects move “against” the direction of head movement and farther objects move “with” the direction of head movement. Monocular Movement Parallax: When our heads move from side to side, objects at different distances move at a different relative velocity. Highlights and shadows provide information about depth Because our visual system assumes the light comes from above, a totally different perception is obtained if the image is viewed upside down.įigure 5. Light And Shade: Highlights and shadows can provide information about an object’s dimensions and depth (figure 5). Mountains in the distance appear more blue Mountains are perceived to be closer when the atmosphere is clear.įigure 4. When the scattering of light blurs the outlines of objects, the object is perceived as distant. Contrast of objects also provide clues to their distance. Due to the scattering of blue light in the atmosphere, creating “wall” of blue light, distance objects appear more blue (figure 4). Parallel lines such as railway lines converge with increasing distanceĪerial Perspective: Relative colour of objects give us some clues to their distance. Parallel lines converge with increasing distance such as roads, railway lines, electric wires, etc (figure 3).įigure 3. Linear Perspective: When objects of known distance subtend a smaller and smaller angle, it is interpreted as being further away. The blue circle is reported to be closer since it overlaps the red circle The overlapped object is considered further away (figure 2).įigure 2. Interposition: Interposition cues occur when there is overlapping of objects. A retinal image of a small car is considered to be distant A retinal image of a small car is also interpreted as a distant car (figure 1).įigure 1. We interpret this as the car getting further and further away. As the car drives away, the retinal image becomes smaller and smaller. Relative Size: Retinal image size allow us to judge distance based on our past and present experience and familiarity with similar objects.
![depth perception definition depth perception definition](http://cycleback.com/raffy.jpg)
Several strong monocular cues allow relative distance and depth to be judged. However, it is the lateral displacement of the eyes that provides two slightly different views of the same object (disparate images) and allow acute stereoscopic depth discrimination. It is possible to appreciate the relative location of objects using one eye (monocular cues). Stereopsis refers to our ability to appreciate depth, that is the ability to distinguish the relative distance of objects with an apparent physical displacement between the objects.