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Photo Realistic People: A Benefit?


ctk111
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Hello Everyone,

 

I'm interested in seeing some examples of a rendering in which the use of photo realistic people actually improved the final product. I've yet to use them nor plan to as I'm unimpressed with their results. The lighting never seems to match and most of the time they appear to be floating or situated in some uncomfortable position in relationship to the camera. In my opinion they are a distraction from the architecture. I'm more interested in seeing the design, materials and lighting of the rendering. I hope in posting this I have not offended anyone as this is not my intention. My only interest is to stimulate a discussion. No matter what your opinion I believe discussions like these only serve to benefit the community as well as advance the field of architectural illustration. Thanks for your response.

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It depends on the composition and the building. I don't think it's one or the other. A close up of a house interior usually doesn't need people. A far shot of a school will need something, or it will look abandoned, which would not help present the project.

 

So it just depends. I agree, though, to some degree, that people can distract and look too perfect and not part of the scene.

 

What I've begun doing is blurring them and making them transparent. It still gives scale, but makes it look a little more interesting. Also, if you look through a mag like Arch Record, it's how the majority of the photographs are taken - lots of colorful blurs!

And, it can simply took cool sometimes!

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Ah, I hadn't thought of that. I agree with you in some respect. I'm not bothered as much when the scene is set from a distant perspective and it contains people. Without them it would look pretty empty. Maybe some tumbleweed could be added to enhance that effect. :ebiggrin: I guess too it also depends on the scene. For instance depending on the amount of landscaping.

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It amazes me how many visualisers don't see that the lighting on their figures miss match the environment and haven't a clue about scale and eye level. Until they understand this their figures will always be a distraction. Figures per say are not a distraction, just the bad ones.

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i'll start by saying i'd much rather leave them out (the people.............) but as stated elesewhere the clients usually want them and they pick up the tabs...........

i usually stick my people in the model at rendertime unless there is a client objection so that way the composition should be correct.

i'd agree that a lot of visuals do not take a colour correction or post production placement and they detract from the images

i'd go even further...........your brain will also process the sex age race size posture interaction fashion politics etc of the people in image

writing this has just reinforced my stance on not including entourage in my current couple of projects

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i usually stick my people in the model at rendertime unless there is a client objection so that way the composition should be correct.
Good composition is not determined by Whether the people are added at render time or afterwards in PS.

 

i'd go even further...........your brain will also process the sex age race size posture interaction fashion politics etc of the people in image
I haven't a clue what your point is here, but if they are done well, people in visuals add life, scale, realism, mood and indicate the purpose of the space. Done badly and it's like someone shaking car keys in your face when you're reading a book!

 

I must add though, that small interior spaces benifit from being free of people.

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One of the problems i find is that since the human visual system has evolved to look for social cues from eyes, posture, facial features etc, stock photoquality models - will often look out of place and need rework if there to be seen up close. (and it can take an awful lot of rework). Its the same if you animate people in a crowd for a short video piece- its easy to find fault with the animation if it doesn't behave like a crowd... When done well I think they can make the difference between interesting and highly effective, otherwise they tend to jump out and distract from the real meat and potatoes.

 

 

/phillip

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