Making my work suck less!

[Niall Cochrane]

I had that "running out of time" thing happening also but, you are too young for that, I only started in CG at 26.

The most important thing you need to establish is - what are you passionate about ? Once you know that then you are more than half the way there. If it's 3D character modelling then you can either enroll in an online mentored course OR enroll in a full course at Escape Studios for example (if they do that) OR apply for a job in a CG company which will more than likely be in London - this is less likely until you have some relevant skills under your belt.

Don't be intimidated by what you see in films, all these artists started somewhere. I think you are at a pivotal point in your career that requires a leap of faith. Go for it, you have nothing to lose.

[Calum Reid]

I know that feeling man, even though im only 21 haha Im doing a degree in architectural technology at the moment, about to go into my final year. I realised my favorite part of a project was the visualisation and actual modelling, so i got my placement and a visualisation studio. So im only just finding out about my interests in this field...and i am overwhelmed, i want to try out everything, visualising, animation, character modelling etc etc. But i think i will go with visualisation, seeing as i have an architectural background and connections in the industry, and just get into the other fields in my own time as a hobbie.

[Sergio Caparelli]

Hi! Im just starting with 3D visualization, been learning for less than a year and i am kind of overwhelmed with information and techniques, but I can say that I really like the image you posted. Like they said i think that you could push it farther with photoshop, but you already have good renderings skills. It´s not that easy to make a clean looking render like that.
Being self-taught is not an easy path, it´s common to ran out of self esteem. But take some time and you will be fine.

[Tom Ellis]

Thanks so much for the encouragement guys.

I think I'm gonna stick with the arch-viz stuff. As tempting as it is to jump into another area, it kinda makes sense to stick with what I know, especially from a financial point of view.

Bradley - that looks great! I'm actually quite shocked that you managed to make it look so much better! I did do a bit of post, but I must admit I'm guilty of spending far too long trying to get render perfection, which often leads to a reluctance to do to much in post, whereas I know it's the post work that often can make or break an image. Would you mind explaining what you did? I can't put my finger on why it looks so much better but it does.

As an aside to all of this, and back to the composition thing, I really want to get the hang of it a bit better, so does anyone have suggestions on how to compose the shot on this project in particular?

I'm going to check out that film you linked Calum, looks awesome.

[david hamel]

I suggest focusing on composition and post production. This is a very basic building that can be given a mood using lighting and ALOT of photoshop. I'm more interested in the style/mood than trying to make the render look perfectly photo-real.



postproduction2.jpg

[Tom Ellis]

Thanks David, good tips. I'll spend some time in PS and see what I can do.

Again though, with regards to composition, any suggestions on composing this building?

[Jonathan Fantucchio]

I like the image. The sky and the wood mat are what would get me down. A little bit of shopping would go a long way with the image as well. Probably transform it.

[Peter Mitchell]

Couple of things I notice straightaway...

You should really correct your verticals (as with all architectural photography).

Also, a really important rule I've learned recently... never 'make do' with textures. If the texture doesn't look photoreal in photoshop or windows explorer, it won't look real in your renders.

Also, your textures, I would say are a little too saturated.

Also, on the second image, my eye is drawn to the dark lobby with lack of, well, anything in there.

On the plus side, the grass is awesome (if a little too bluey-green).

To be honest, I'm good at giving advice, but rarely take it myself. Hope I helped though.

[Peter Mitchell]

Sorry mate - wasn't my intention at all.

I suggest those things because I personally had completely disregarded the basics. I was obsessed with getting materials right, the model perfect with every rivet yet I still wasn't happy.

I had been doing it professionally for longer than you and it wasn't until I read a couple of great articles that I went back to the basics and found that I was getting happier and happier with my images.

Hope that clears things up a bit.

Ooooh. Perhaps you could enlighten me with those articles!

[Tom Ellis]

Thanks for the comments guys, really appreciate it.

Ok I've had another go today, spent a bit more time in Photoshop too.

Any thoughts on this one?