Dragonophile

I have noted an interesting phenomenon in my hobby of taking ocean-going ships pictures. Today was just one example. I was in Port Angeles, WA coming down a city street towards the waterfront. I must have been at least 5-6 blocks away from the wharf. I caught a glimpse of a ship in the harbor and it looked surprising large. I figured I would get a wonderful picture at the wharf as I would be much closer to it. But when I got to the wharf, the ship actually looked further away. Again, this is just one example of where I am higher up & further away, expecting a great picture, but when I get to the water's edge, I am disappointed.

Is the atmosphere truly magnifying the image or is this an optical illusion? It only seems to happen when I am elevated on a hill slope. Is this analogous to why the moon "appears" larger near the horizon than overhead, though I read this is an illusion more than an actual reality.

I guess I am wondering whether the camera will operate like my brain/eyes and take better pictures up the slope than closer to the water. So far I haven't found a good spot to stop the car and take a picture upslope, then head to the water to take a similar picture to test which has the best detail. Being further away I would expect more air movement at times anyway.

Anyone with a layman's explanation that doesn't involve a blackboard of equations as Sheldon (BB Theory) might present?

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Maybe its just scale....what you see around the boat gives your brain the illusion that the buildings (Known size) are smaller compared to the boat. If the boat is distant there may be nothing out there to compare it with or a larger Seascape/landscape which 'dwarf's' it.
certainly doubt it is atmospherics more likely perspective (looking down on something I find makes some things appear smaller)Obviously, if the boat is moving away from you it is going to appear smaller.
Its perspective and scale. the camera can zoom in better than the eye so maybe you need a longer lens.
any excuse is a good one!

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

There is such a thing as atmospheric refraction. It causes mirages in the desert but it can also effect what we think we see over water when the water is decidedly colder or warmer than the air above it.

This is supposedly why the lookouts on the Titanic were not able to see the iceberg in time to avoid it on what was a clear night in smooth seas.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

I myself love to watch the submarine races.

Dragonophile

I tend to think it must be illusion because it only happens when I see the boat (or portion thereof) framed by surrounding buildings or objects. If I am on a bluff with unobstructed view, the ships seem expectable in size.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

When this happens, look through your thumb and forefinger (OK signal). Make the "hole" as small as possible. GThis will take the optical illusion away. Try it when the "big" moon is close to the horizon as well

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I cannot explain what you saw. The human mind is powerful and it is able to obscure reality. So I suggest the next time you see that large ship, stop, and take a few pictures. The camera does not lie. Then you will have your answer.

And there is another level to consider. Your mind showed you something (right brained stuff). You had a vision. Pay attention. Figure out what telephoto lens you need, and what else you need to do, to capture that image that your mind showed you, and set about getting that image.

Quincykitty

You will have similar illusion when watching the mountains through the freeway overpass... they will appear much bigger framed by the pillars and the bridge...

Anyway, the view toward the Port Angeles is lovely!