XRez.com launches, bringing a whole new definition to high resolution imagery

[Jeff Mottle]

For Immediate Release

29 November, 2006

XRez.com launches, bringing a whole new

definition to high resolution imagery.

XRez.com offers extraordinary images of the world’s most astonishing locations in unprecedented gigapixel level detail. Photographers and visual effects visionaries Eric Hanson and Greg Downing share their techniques, their process, and most importantly, their stunning images of the worlds’ natural wonders on this revolutionary new website. A revolutionary new website, XRez brings a whole new perspective to extreme resolution.

Experience Yosemite National Park, Owens Valley, the Mojave Desert, Zion Canyon and the Norwegian Fjords, among other beautiful locations. First take in the scene from a comprehensive spherical panoramic overview. Then, using the system’s recognizable navigational tools, choose any location on the image, and zoom in to only a few feet away from your subject. The massive 3.8 gigapixel, 87,000 pixel-wide images allow you to experience these locations– ranging from national parks to cityscapes– as if you were immersed in them yourselves. Greg Downing, a co-founder, says “The exciting part is putting these images in front of an audience. When we last showed one of our 18' long, 75,000 pixel prints, people were spending 20 minutes looking at one photograph exploring all the detail. That is not something you often see in a gallery setting and we have indicators that the on-line experience is just as compelling.”

XRez.com allows you to zoom, pan, or even view a time lapse as images pass from day to night, all viewed online. The site is replete with information about the process Hanson and Downing use to capture and create their images. In addition, the co-founders show how integrating the image into the world of 3D animation expands the possibilities even further: Cinematic camera movement can be created, and unique hybrid 2D/3D locations can be built using professional visual effects 3D software Says co-founder Eric Hanson, "The gigapixel images we capture are in themselves rich for visual exploration. But by utilizing the technical skills Greg and I have gained from the feature film visual effects field, we are able to extend conventional photography and offer a unique 3d re-creation of locations that can provide the foundation for visualizing history for a park visitor to enabling the imagination of a filmmaker."

XRez.com is a full-service photographic and visual effects studio, providing rich opportunities for parks, galleries, or feature film productions wishing to display or utilize high resolution imagery:

• Display large prints in galleries or interpretive settings that reveals a stunning degree of image detail and fidelity, allowing unprecedented interaction with the image.

• Bring to life motion picture sequences from originally static images, utilizing a range of visual effects techniques to enhance storytelling.

• Integrate gigapixel images with 3d modeling of terrain, allowing modification of weather, light, or the character of a space.

• Bring the national parks and natural wonders of the world to anyone who wants to experience them in a new and powerful way.

• Allow novel on-line exploration of locations in tremendous detail.

The possibilities are as infinite as the resolution.

About the founders:

GREG DOWNING specializes in image-based 3D technologies. His photographic work has been displayed in some of the nation’s most prestigious museums including the American Museum of Natural History, the Cincinnati Art Museum, and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Greg has worked on the development of panorama and photogrammetry software at Realviz. He has worked in film production integrating image based technologies and as a Lighting Technical Director at Rhythm & Hues and Sony Imageworks on Narnia and Spiderman 3. Greg teaches at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects, has presented at professional conferences for both visual effects artists and photographers, and has been published in numerous 3D industry magazines.

ERIC HANSON is a visual effects designer specializing in the creation of digital environments and effects for feature films. Having worked with leading effects houses such as Digital Domain, Sony Imageworks, Dream Quest Images, and Walt Disney Feature Animation, his work can be seen in The Day After Tomorrow, Cast Away, Hollow Man, Mission to Mars, Bicentennial Man, Atlantis, Fantasia 2000 and The Fifth Element, as well as many special-venue films. Eric is also an active instructor, leading courses on effects techniques at Gnomon School of VFX and the USC School of Cinema/TV. Eric is a member of the Visual Effects Society and attended the University of Texas at Austin.

 

Visit http://www.XRez.com