Hotel Lobby

[OPEN_RANGE]

A rendering of the Lobby for a new hotel. All design, furnishing, finishes and etc specified by Architect, Interior Designer and Developer.

All comments, critique and suggestions for improvement most welcome.

[glorybound]

Looks good, however, there might be too much emphasis on the couches. Maybe, bring the camera closer and use some DOF to soften the foreground. I am not really sure what I should be looking at; it lacks a focal point. Everything else is technically good.

[OPEN_RANGE]

Thanks so much for your very helpful feedback. Agreed with your excellent observations. I struggled with the view on this. All the columns make it problematic. Also, as always an understandably, the clients want to "see it all" in one view.

I made a few minor adjustments but mainly moved the view a bit forward, per your suggestion, and also shifted the foreground furniture around a bit. Still maybe lacks a definite focal point but I think this helped take some of the emphasis away from the couches.

I'm reluctant to use DOF. I have used it in the past and it has been unfortunately not that well received. There's lot's of architectural and professional real estate photography constantly being published here. Essentially none of it makes use of depth of field. My clients are generally not used to seeing DOF used. I have learned that real estate sales and marketing efforts prefer everything to be in focus.

Thanks again, I can't overstate how valuable your review and comments are for me!

[glorybound]

This one, you are brought into the image through the opening between the couches, but you are blocked by the column, your eye doesn’t know where to go. It’s a challenging one. Hopefully others have some ideas.

[OPEN_RANGE]

Yep. Maybe the client/ team will be ok with removing a column for rendering/marketing purposes. Or maybe they will be ok with it as is. I already got sign off on the first view (posted above) as a gray scale so I think it will be acceptable. Thanks again!

[piotrus3333]

try to start conversation about “all in one view”. I agree with the above: this image shows nothing interesting about this lobby. it is almost like the first thing you see after catching a snooze on the sofa. hotel lobby is all about how it feels for somebody entering it, direction is the key here. reception desk etc. columns might obscure too much but should probably also point you towards one point perspective quite naturally. I see strong linear accents on the ceiling - this image also does not show the design clearly enough. I bet it is not all about sofas. second crop does not help - now pillows take the lead (rule of odds).

[springboard]

I would definitely show an alternate angle (move out of that pit group of furniture) say 20' to the left. If not moving, delete one of the sofas for marketing purposes. Focus on the front desk, Hotel name, & leisure activities in the background. Look at an 18-20degree lens also. Good concept!

[OPEN_RANGE]

Thank you all for your very helpful comments. I'm going to find the time to do an alternate view, it will have to be on my nickle. I have already experimented with a single point perspective, as suggested, from the position of walking in the door and it looks pretty cool.

For now, the architect, interior designer and developer all love this view and a very happy with the rendering so, it's a success by that measure. Here is an update with some client requested revisions (like way larger windows that they for some reason never mentioned or provided drawing or info on until seeing the final render. typical <g>)

[OPEN_RANGE]

I experimented with a different view angle as suggested. I like it but I'm pretty certain the client will not and it's doubtful I will show it to them. I think the difference is between "architectural photography" and "real estate sales photography". Sometimes the two may coincide. In this case I think not, and the clients want a sale/marketing image. They don't want to try to emphasize the architecture (which is not that compelling anyway). Below is a DRAFT, if it were to be used it would be further developed. Just posted for the view angle example.

Also below is the final image. The client/developer, architect and interior designer are all extremely happy and I've submitted my invoice for balance due. So it's been a success. Thanks to all who commented. Helpful as always.