Need to be educated

[Devin Johnston]

I've felt for a long time that my understanding of and ability to produce renderings is hindered because I have no formal photographic training. I look at work by people like Viktor Fretyán and Alex Roman and I know that they are tapping into knowledge that I just don't have. I'd like to know what kind of books, tutorials, web sites or DVD's I need to be looking at in order to better educate my self so I can elevate my work to their levels. I know they are drawing on their understanding of light, material and composition so I'd like some recomendations in these areas.

[jonnyfiasco]

I think anyone in our industry would benefit from training, or a background in film. So many animations and walkthroughs I see just have the most insane camera moves, which really detracts from the realism.

 

Im sure I read somewhere that Alex Roman studied Fine Arts before he got into CG?

[John Dollus]

http://www.amazon.com/Painting-Light-John-Alton/dp/0520089499

 

this is a great book to start with.

 

I don't think a book or dvd is going to help much with what you are describing though. Take your camera everywhere and get used to exploring the world through the lens and then infusing your work with the fruits of your inspiration.

[Noise]

From what I can gather the great photographers, cinematographers etc.. Have three things in common;

 

1. A excellent eye for what is interesting

 

2. Excellent technical understanding of the equipment that they use and

 

3. Patience

 

If you look at the top environmental photographers prior to anything digital - its all in there, Ansel Adams as one example.

 

Alex Roman and Viktor Fretyán are also excellent examples of our generation and have done all the above but have also included insane mastery of the digital tools available to them to effectively bend the rules.

 

Someone else who is bending the rules is Andy Goldsworthy - in a different way but, the results are also incredible.

 

Look and learn, simple as that.

Edited January 20, 2010 by Noise

[dean@pikcells]

Why not have a few photography lessons? So much of an image is composition, lighting and location, which is relevant in both traditional media as well as digital media.

Also what about life drawing classes (or even drawing by yourself)? I find sometimes we produces images for others to look at, but often we forget to look our selves. Drawing makes you observe, and the more you do, the more details you will add to your professional work. Plus it always nice to step away from the PC and use a pencil and paper instead!!

[Noise]

Dean your right on the nail there.

 

My mum who is painting more in her retirement constantly has me saying, sketch the scene a few times before you paint it. I remember from school art class that, when I sketched something for the first time it was Ok but, when I did subsequent sketches it was almost a quantum leap forward in the quality.

 

My mum never listened to me so, she is always reworking parts of the painting to get what she wants - so one bit is better that the rest.

 

I am into pre work and patience so that the final work has been considered in depth and all options have been explored to get there.

 

But, its the idea that has the real value.

Edited January 21, 2010 by Noise

[andstef]

hello,

I think studying photography at a fine arts school surely has it's benefits, but it also is time consuming and expensive (of cours if you have the time and money you should pursue this path), the next best thing is to do a course of photography and get some books on the subject to read in paralel, but I wouldn't recommend just the book, or dvd tutorials, because you learn best when you interact directly with someone, the teacher, the other students etc. and the most important thing: don't aspect a "crush course in photography DVD" that will turn you into Alex Roman over night (supposing that you have the rest of the skills 3d, rendering, post processing)

 

good luck

[RickHebert]

I just bought the Architectural Visualization books from 3DATS.

 

They are great references and include chapters on composition, lighting, materials etc. etc. in 3dsMax

 

You might give those a look