Even though I have started the new desert house project, I jumped back to the Philly Bridge project to generate this year’s winter special. This was a view that I had planned on illustrating months ago but ran out of time. Luckily, it works perfectly for creating a winter narrative of the first snow of the year with sledders racing to the top of the bridge. This image took a drastic leap from the original V-Ray rendering to the final completed scene with lots of Photoshopped textures throughout. Below is a quick break down of how the image evolved.
1. Sketchup Model / V-Ray Rendering
Above, the Sketchup Model
Above, the V-Ray base rendering. The sketchup model was minimal in detail most of the textures were reused from other views. The only thing I adjusted was the amount of reflection in the sidewalks and the softness of the sun shadow.
2. Context
Next, I inserted the context by Photoshopping in facades that I cut out of online street view maps. I didn’t spend too much time here because I knew it would get washed out quite a bit by the snow.
3. Vegetation
Winter trees were added in the plaza along with shrubs and plantings up the stair wall.
4. Bridge Ceiling
I wanted to do something to draw attention to the bridge, so I dropped in some LED lights and amped up the saturation of the panels. I didn’t want the underside of the bridge to read too dark and uninviting. The LED’s also add some much needed movement to the image.
5. Wet Ground
This was an important part to the narrative of the “first snow”. The ground needed to look wet and slushy so I found several textures that I stitched and overlaid onto the street and sidewalk. I should have spent more time on this step but had to keep moving on.
6. Lights and Snow
Next I needed to show a dusting of snow starting to accumulate on the vegetation. Again, I would have preferred to spend a little more time on this step but had to keep the image moving forward. I also dropped in some lights on the trees for a holiday atmosphere.
7. Car Details
The street needed to be activated so I added tail lights and reflections on the ground. Mist from the wheels was also added to again play up the wet ground look.
8. People
A big part of the narrative of this image was the bridge turning into the perfect sledding site on top. Therefore, I inserted some sledders on and around the grand stair moving the viewers eye up to the top of the bridge. More people were added around the plaza to give the sense that the entire space was being utilized.
9. Color Adjust
Before I inserted the snow, I tweaked the tones of the images to cool things down with more blues and purples. I also drew out some more textures in the underbelly of the bridge and sidewalk.
10. Snow
Finally, the snow was added washing out some of the background and creating more contrast between the shadow of the bridge and everything else. You can find a tutorial on adding snow HERE.
Winter Special #5
Winter Special #4
Winter Special #3
Winter Special #2
Winter Special #1
Hi Alex!
I’m a Building Engineering student from Rome, Italy.
First of all, I’d really like to say thank you, because last year, thanks to your blog I discovered the archviz world and I think I found my way.
Now, in order to reach an higher level with my images, I was trying to learn how to make materials less “perfect” : I mean, adding surface imperfections, variations, etc.
Just like you here in the base rendering (sidewalk) or in your other Philly Bridge perspectives breakdown (the one from the street I remember)
Do you have any resource to recommend about this topic?
Thanks again, and I wish you all of the best.
Andrea
Hello
¿Do you have a tutorial were I can learn to do all this special effects?
I will pay for it.
Pilar ^_^
Inspirational image!
Would love to see a video breakdown.
Amazing as always, thank you very much for your sharings.
Please accept my heartfelt wishes for a peaceful Christmas and a joyful and prosperous New Year! 😀
Thanks Stefano, happy holidays to you too!
In Winter Special #6, where do you find the images you need to create the vegetation that is on the wall?
WOW, It is amazing.
wish you good luck and happy holidays
Thank u !
@@@@ i like it @@@@
Amazing overall!!! but shouldn’t there be reflection of the vegetation rather than just the metal material? lol
Alex,
How did you create the sidewalk reflection in image #2? What kind of reflection map did you use?
Amazing and inspirational as always!
I was wondering the same regarding the sidewalk varied reflection between flags. Adds a great sense of realism! Any guidance or process explanaition would be greatly appreciated!
KS, Detroit
Great work. Thanks for the breakdown.
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Wonderful work! I found this article really interesting. Is it possible to find a tutorial to understand how you can insert snow and light on trees or objects on stage to give the same effect as in this work?
Congratulations for the beautiful images!
Wonderful images! I found this article really interesting. Is it possible to find a tutorial to understand how you can insert snow and light on trees or objects on stage to give the same effect as in this work?
Congratulations for the beautiful images!
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