Courtyard Garden

[Timmeh]

Hi everyone,

Another project of mine which I did a while back of a courtyard garden.

The view was picked by the architect and developer. And no light fittings were specified.

I also created an animation which can be found here: http://www.buildmedia.co.nz/karaka.htm

CC welcome!

[Timmeh]

210 views and no CC??

[werticus]

its technically pretty sound, i don't care for the night versions sky texture... also there is a lot of light in the forground from unknown sources that make it look like a cheap and insufficient flash was used on the camera.

architecturally its boring, that stair way is pretty clinical.

[paulison]

looks good to me i didnt really have much comments to make. I guess everyone else is the same?. I like a lot of the detail, layout and composition etc.

maybe the evening shot has had a bit oo much of the contrast taken out of it? - the plants on the right look a bit grey to me

You are a harsh critic Werticus

[werticus]

I had to look pretty hard if it makes you feel any better :P

And i do like the day version.

[olitech]

The 'night' or 'dusk' image is definitely lacking in contrast. This is why it doesn't feel like night. Your environment GI is way too bright. If you only knew the power of the dark side!

Those rooflines and treelines should definitely be silhouetted against that sky.

Things you could try:

1/ turn off all your lights and just get your GI colour right. I usually start with a dark colour like RGB 7, 10, 17(dark blue) or something. Set this as the vray environment colour. You may have to jack up the multiplier to 10 or something. This should make the scene look deserted and dark. (that's what you want!) Keep the sky, but turn off any 'sun' you may have.

2/ Start turning on your lights one by one. I'd light that water feature first if I were you, then go from there. Limit the diameter of your spot in the gazebo thing so it doesn't pollute your stairs. Maybe it's only half way on your grass..i dunno, play. By doing this, you can set up the stairs/walkway/flagstone with low, warm kneelights or Noma-type lights.

That light you have illuminating the top stairs, bamboo, and surrounding palms has got to go!! It's like a big commercial security light. Whatever light you have near the ground behind our left shoulder needs to be gone as well. If you want to wash light on the steps to highlight the dark shadow that will be left by the kneelights (that you will add to your walkway), then use a vray sphere light of a different colour. So as to suggest something fun like a party or romantic dinner (lol) that is taking place behind our left shoulder. (just a suggestion)

By isolating your light sources, you can really define areas of attention. Walkway, stairs, flagstone path, that wee little bench you hid in the bushes (yeah, i found your little make-out zone, you perv! jk). Darken the bushes and isolate that seating area with it's own light.

3/Use your colours wisely...So if your environment is dark blue, contrast that with the yellowish lights in your garden. The viewer will be drawn to the warm light and you will get their attention. Contrasting the colours will give you maximum effect! (ie: yellow vs. blue, orange vs. violet, etc..)

4/Widen your camera. Shorten your lens to widen the shot and make it more dynamic. Right now you've got a zoom on that makes the whole scene claustrophobic. I'm pretty sure you're going for a 'cozy' feel. So do it with the lighting suggestions above, and let this camera breathe a bit...

5/What's your story? Use the lighting to lead your viewer along the path, around your walkway, take a break at the bench, then continue up the stairs into the very inviting, brightly glowing interior.

6/Foreground....You are trying to use the posts for a foreground element as well as keeping the viewer from sliding off the image...cool idea, but ditch the posts and use bushes or something. How about tall evergreen to replace the post on the left, and low bush on the lower right corner? Definitely ditch the post on the right.

Other than that, your modelling and landscaping looks pretty cool! Don't waste it with random lighting. Besides, poor Werticus keeps thinking he's gonna hit his head on those cement stairs once he gets drunk at your party. =P

OMG! Sorry for the looooong post! Hope it helps!