How can I improve this image?

[danb4026]

95% of my work is interiors. Part of my current project includes 2 terraces that include landscaping, not my forte. I do not have license to make design changes, just to make the design look as nice as possible on paper.

 

As of now, I have 56 layers in photoshop to get where this image is as you see it. I feel the image is "flat" and boring.

 

What can I do in PS to add drama and interest to this image, but still keeping the focus on the overall design and look of the terrace?

 

Thanks for any and all advise.

[Tommy L]

The perspective and framing of the image is letting it down. A wider lens and more dramatic angle may work wonders, but it sounds like you've committed yourself to the angle by the amount of PS layers.

[danb4026]

Yeah Tom, I am pretty commited at this point. Because of time, I framed it in such a way as to avoid having to model anything not fundamental to the render.

 

Nonetheless, What angle would you suggest?

Edited March 23, 2010 by danb4026

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

Not sure if this helps, or makes matters worse. I warmed the image a bit, and pumped the contrast some, while darkening the foreground, and background walls.

 

...perhaps loading the space with people is the answer.

[danb4026]

Travis, it's definitely more dramatic. Adding people is generally my last step. I will start doing that and see how much interest it adds.

[abmitalia]

the problem than is that the camera angle make it look like something in a play box. I agree to Thommy that how much ever layers u have you should work with not more than 3 or 4. Also letting come the light from center above doesn't help to get depth. Well I tried a short correction ...no layers. RK

[abmitalia]

Ups -Travis did it the same- greatings RK

[Tommy L]

the problem than is that the camera angle make it look like something in a play box. I agree to Thommy that how much ever layers u have you should work with not more than 3 or 4. Also letting come the light from center above doesn't help to get depth. Well I tried a short correction ...no layers. RK

 

Well thats not really what I meant. I just assumed the PS work was extensive, therefore going changing the camera angle would be counter-productive.

[abmitalia]

OK Thommy got u right but wrote in a missunderstanding way... RK

[D T B]

I agree. people add life. You could also try reducing the saturation of the browns at the decking, also the grass has a astro turf look. cold.

Nice model.

You select those individual colors by using the wand and then select similar from the drop down menu. Might have to play with the tolerance.

[D T B]

Also that wall being so massive can it be softend up with some cast light? What is suppose to be above that wall ? is it opend to the sky? Then the warm summer sun light should break the top a bit.

[danb4026]

Thanks for all the advice. I added some people, did some color adjustments and came up with this so far.

 

D T B: I have not cropped the image yet. Going to wait till the end to crop and frame it. You will not be seeing above the tan stone work. The building is 66 stories and this terrace is only on the 3rd story.

 

And I have way too many layers at this point to change the camera angle, so I have to work with what I have.

 

I should have used more of an angle with the sunlight. Originally I used a photo as a reference material for the facade and it had shadowing based on the sun being directly above. As I continued to work and changed the facade, I neglected to change the sunlight. Now I am stuck with it.

 

I added the orignal base render below as a base reference.

Edited March 24, 2010 by danb4026
add

[REDVERTEX]

IMO, whatever you do in PS, this image will be always flat and somehowboring. You need 3 vital steps to improve it dramaticaly.

 

1. change camera angle - wide lense, lower and closer to the right hand side

 

2. change the light direction. This is vital! You don't have shadows. Shadows are the most important if you want to feel the volumes and depth. Some part of the terrace should be in shadow.

 

3. PS work - highlights warm, shadows cold. In some cases ZDepth channel also helps.

 

But at the end this is just my personal opinion.

 

Sincerely,

[danb4026]

How does having a wider angle lens improve an image? Is there a difference between having the camera further away using a standard lens and having the camera closer and using a wider angle?

 

I am going to break down and try to incorporate all the advice thus far. Good riddens to all my photoshop work.

[Tommy L]

How does having a wider angle lens improve an image? Is there a difference between having the camera further away using a standard lens and having the camera closer and using a wider angle?

 

I am going to break down and try to incorporate all the advice thus far. Good riddens to all my photoshop work.

 

A wider lens, in this case, will enable a fore, middle and background. This will give depth. Your perspective lines will be more acute, which tends to lend more drama to a composition. For this to work you should also try moving the camera to a more human perspective.

[danb4026]

OK, I understand.

 

The grasses in the foreground are quite high, so I have to have a camera angle high enough to peer over them and show as much as the terrace as possible. That's why I have not gone lower with the camera.

 

I am going to change the sun and camera angle and repost a prelim render.

[danb4026]

Prelim attached below. Any thoughts on the camera angle and sunlight?

[D T B]

A nicer shot for sure . Drama yes. The shadows add as well , Maybe a tad bit more overall light.

[Tommy L]

Infinitely better. First angle looks like the client chose it

You can get much nicer details in the closer shot as well. The planting reads much better.

And I think you chose the sun angle well, you see the dappled light and parasol shadow to give visual clues as to where the light source is. Other option would be left-to-right, but you'd leave the whole of the left wall (with the screen on) in shadow.

Edited March 24, 2010 by Tommy L

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

Yes, better. Just make sure it doesn't run the risk of being voyeuristic . You did place girls in bikinis, and people to yoga/exercise in the last scene.

 

Maybe that just popped into my mind because you are on the outside looking in.

[Tommy L]

That grass really looks like it should be a pool......

[danb4026]

The pool is inside, just beyond the glass on the right.

[danb4026]

OK....do you think this is an improvement? If so, I will render out high res and start PS work.

[Tommy L]

I'd be happy with that, but the decision is yours!

[montecarlomethod]

you need to work on elliminating the tiling of the textures especially on the beige back walls. maybe add some very subtle glossy reflection on it since it dominates the view. the grass patch needs displacement or scattered proxies. or ho out and take a picture of grass and paste it in.

if you had the time you should add people but chande the mood to twilight and add artificial light and candles (no direct sun) so it looks more inviting and drammatic. that screen would make more sense and it would hide the imperfections.