Small Houses/Garages

[glorybound]

I took a 180 on the barn.

[andybot_cg]

I took a 180 on the barn.

Thumbs up! very nice, though someone needs to pick up that branch that fell down :P

[glorybound]

I was playing artist and stopping the eye from leaving that side of the image. I have the barn in a lot of shade, but I have some light coming through the trees, so there is a lot of contrast.

[glorybound]

I finally got feedback. I can almost guarantee that they are going to go from good, to bad, really quick.

1. get rid of shadows so all the house is in light
2. make the image square
3. raise the camera so you are seeing more roof

Now, aren't all these poor composition decisions? It's funny how people hire you for the work you do, change everything on your work, and then complain because the final image are not nearly as nice as why they hired you. Anyway, back to the drawing board

[andybot_cg]

I wouldn't change your scenes significantly. My 2 suggestions - add a decent amount of fill light in the dark areas to bring the shadows up a bit, but still keep some sense of light and dark. It doesn't have to be front on lighting for sure, even your client would probably think something doesn't look right. 2nd - probably don't have to raise the view up very much, I was thinking your views were a bit "in the weeds" and could afford to be slightly higher anyway.

Andy

[glorybound]

good suggestion, thanks!

[Neilg]

I finally got feedback. I can almost guarantee that they are going to go from good, to bad, really quick.

1. get rid of shadows so all the house is in light
2. make the image square
3. raise the camera so you are seeing more roof

Now, aren't all these poor composition decisions? It's funny how people hire you for the work you do, change everything on your work, and then complain because the final image are not nearly as nice as why they hired you. Anyway, back to the drawing board

Why are you agreeing to do this? Tell the client why this will make the image look bad - do a quick mockup in poor quality (sabotage it slightly if you have to) and explain why you've made the choices you have.
e: the square one is fine, but the other two are Bad Decisions.

[glorybound]

I did explain, and he agreed, but then he game me their side. They print these out really small, in books and magazines, so it gets to dark and hard to see. They also mentioned no cars, which dates the image after awhile, which I agree with

Why are you agreeing to do this? Tell the client why this will make the image look bad - do a quick mockup in poor quality (sabotage it slightly if you have to) and explain why you've made the choices you have.
e: the square one is fine, but the other two are Bad Decisions.

[glorybound]

any suggestions on those fill lights? I haven't used fill lights since I rendered in plain MAX, before Mental Ray and GI.

I wouldn't change your scenes significantly. My 2 suggestions - add a decent amount of fill light in the dark areas to bring the shadows up a bit, but still keep some sense of light and dark. It doesn't have to be front on lighting for sure, even your client would probably think something doesn't look right. 2nd - probably don't have to raise the view up very much, I was thinking your views were a bit "in the weeds" and could afford to be slightly higher anyway.

Andy

[andybot_cg]

any suggestions on those fill lights? I haven't used fill lights since I rendered in plain MAX, before Mental Ray and GI.

I was thinking photography when I said that. In terms of vray, add some area lights just off camera to throw a bit of ambient light on the shaded side of the buildings. It would help vray sampling as well.

[glorybound]

Yes. I am finishing it up now. I simply placed a light blue sphere light, off camera, and it is looking good. I just didn't know if it was best a plane, no shadows...

I was thinking photography when I said that. In terms of vray, add some area lights just off camera to throw a bit of ambient light on the shaded side of the buildings. It would help vray sampling as well.

[glorybound]

Here is how they turned out. I didn't want to spend anymore time then I had to (on their requested changed), so some shortcuts where taken, but they are pleased.