An investigation of the relationship between viewing condition and preference for true and modified linear...

In four experiments, pictures varying in degree of perspective convergence from linear to parallel were observed under the following conditions: at an arbitrary station point, at correct station points, and with unconstrained view. Adults were asked to rank the pictures from the most to least natural and realistic-looking picture or from the most to the least accurate drawing. Subjects nearly always chose the parallel perspective pictures as most preferred and the linear perspective pictures as least preferred. Intermediate degrees of convergence were ranked accordingly. Results were interpreted in light of an argument for a pictorial station poing independent of the correct center of projection for a picture. Since this station point was calculated to be at a distance at least 10 times as great as the object is large, its assumption for pictorial viewing was termed the "Zoom "effect.