2019 - 10 - 24 - 180 Degree Rule

As we continue to explore the ways we can gain insight from photography and video for use in instructional design I wanted to share the 180-degree rule. The easiest way I have been able to visualize this rule is to imagine a traditional stage for live theater. The actors can come right up to the edge and the audience can also go right up to the edge. But except in rare situations, the audience shouldn’t climb onto the stage and the actors shouldn’t come down off the stage. When filming or doing photography or illustrations for elearning it is important that we not confuse the audience with regards to perspective. If our two actors or characters are facing each other one on the right and the other on the left they should stay on their respective sides and we should be careful when changing our perspective that we don’t confuse the viewer by thinking our actors have traded positions.