Depth Cues

Definition

Depth cues are visual cues that enable us to perceive the three-dimensional qualities of objects and their spatial relationships in our environment. They help us understand the relative distance and depth of objects in a scene.

Related terms

Binocular Cues:

Binocular cues are depth cues that require both eyes to work together. They include convergence (the inward movement of our eyes when an object is close) and retinal disparity (the slight difference between the images seen by each eye).

Monocular Cues:

Monocular cues are depth cues that can be perceived with just one eye. These cues include linear perspective (parallel lines appear to converge as they recede into the distance), texture gradient (the details of textures become less distinct as they move further away), and relative size (objects closer to us appear larger than those further away).

Motion Parallax: Motion parallax is a monocular cue for depth perception based on the fact that nearby objects appear to move faster than distant ones when we move our heads or eyes. It helps us gauge distances as we move through our environment.