Since I changed jobs recently and can’t show any work I’ve done for my previous employer in my portfolio, I had to start making some own work.
I took a picture from a magazine and tried to replicate it. I’d like some opinions on things I could do to make it look better.
I would say that there is a lack in contrast, (but as I can not refer to the original)
Good number of stairs. Seems like a lot. Was the hinges spacing like that in the original picture?
The amount of stairs is the same as in the image (less even). What I did is take the average height of a floor (3m) and divide that through the maximum height of a step (18,5cm) which results in 16 steps. I used one more…
With hinges you mean on the door? In the original image, the hinges aren’t visible, but I modelled that door for another project and decided to use it again. I used a door in our office as a reference (it was 2.7m high).
nice render
The exterior seems very strong compared to the interior. Cant tell without seeing the photo how close it is to reference but usually if you take a photo inside looking out the exterior is very blown out if not completely white.
like thablanch said some more contrast would help and the stairs mat looks a bit flat could do
with some more something, not sure what.
really like the shadows falling through the stairs onto the wall, might be nice to do a cam from an angle close to that wall looking up through the stairs or down near the water.
I think you have a great start to this image. I also agree that there is lack of contrast. I would adjust all of the materials to give a little more spark to the image. Maybe do some volume light affect from the window (like this: Evermotion - 3d models store, 3d assets, scenes, PBR materials, cg news and tutorials).
Jeremy Driskell
Reflective Rendering
www.reflectiverendering.com
By hinges, I mean the spacing between them, the 2 one from the top are closer together than the other ones. Could be the design.. it is a question.. but more design related than image related..
@pg1:
That’s a nice suggestion. I’ll see if I can make another shot from this scene.
@drisk:
The contrast remark has been made a few times now, so I’ll go and look into it. And thanks for the volume light suggestion.
@thablanch:
I haven’t exactly used standard distances, but it happens with high doors, that there are two hinges at the top of the door to stabilize it (I’ve worked for a contractor as a part-time job during high-school). It could be that the spacing should be a bit different though.
Very nice, but i think there’s a severe lack of cowbell.
Har-har 
I think it needs more detail.
In what way? And which elements need more detail?
I appreciate your comment, but I have no idea what you’re aiming at at the moment…