Every week, the Virtual Photography Archive Hour invites you to revisit your virtual photography archives as a great way to reach new audiences, rediscover past inspirations and even learn from mistakes. Featured below are a selection of the entries shared over the past month.
Title: Red Dead Redemption 2 | Developer: Rockstar Studios | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Initial Release: 26th October 2018
The bitterness of cold winter winds can be difficult to convey in a still image, and yet that is something that this shot achieves masterfully. Everything from the horse's swept mane, the characters flinching stance and even the darkening gradient that lays across the offset composition give the impression of harsh conditions and dwindling light that is soon to be lost too.
Photographer: @ChrisInSession
Title: Ghost of Tsushima | Developer: Sucker Punch | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Initial Release: 17th July 2020
Despite their fragile and vulnerable state, the way these saplings stand hardily amidst the snow can evoke a feeling that even the worst conditions will always pass and bring new opportunities to grow and flourish. Let the vibrant yellow leaves bring you hope and determination.
Photographer: @AltRealityVP
Title: Horizon Zero Dawn | Developer: Guerrilla Games | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Initial Release: 28th Feb 2017
While not strictly a "virtual photograph", this image is a great reminder that the art form lends itself perfectly to even more creative digital art inspirations. The double exposure / composite image combines the varied landscapes of Horizon Zero Dawn with the familiar silhouette of Aloy in a way that encapsulates so much of the game to great effect.
Photographer: @Liveevilphotos
Title: Grand Theft Auto V | Developer: Rockstar North | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Initial Release: 17th September 2013
I have a certain amount of ambivalence about this shot; on one hand the urban lights make a perfect defocused background and reflection on the wet road, but on the other, none of the foreground is quite is sharp focus and it leaves me wondering where to look. Either way though, it is clearly interesting enough to stop and think about, and that is job done for any piece of work.
Title: Horizon Zero Dawn | Developer: Guerrilla Games | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Initial Release: 28th Feb 2017
Following on from a similar concept from @Longleglens in November's Archive Hour Feature, this is another great example of how virtual photography can be used to conveniently and creatively play with perspective. The foreground flowers appear to tower over the more distant Aloy in "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids" fashion, all topped of with a stance that involves the character in her imaginary environment.
Photographer: @Halkyris
Title: Red Dead Redemption 2 | Developer: Rockstar Studios | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Initial Release: 26th October 2018
Portrait shots are at their best when they convey some emotion or connection to the viewer, and that is certainly something that is done here. With beer in hand, the character's seemingly deflated demeanour and sombre expression tell of sorrows to be drowned.
Photographer: @BLaevatein_Al
Title: No Man's Sky | Developer: Hello Games | Publisher: Hello Games, 505 Games | Initial Release: 9th August 2016
It's no secret that @jckbrwn enjoys photographing No Man's Sky but it's not hard to see why. This particular example shows a crisp-looking ship against a wonderfully vivid and abstract backdrop that was created by flying close to and scanning the event horizon of a black hole. The things virtual photography lets you do are wonderful!
Title: Forza Horizon 4 | Developer: Playground Games | Publisher: Xbox Game Studios | Initial Release: 2nd October 2018
In stark contrast to the previous shot, the vehicle in this next image is very firmly based on terra firma. A muted colour palette and low contrast look create a soft, yet wintery feel as the white machine moves through it frozen surroundings.
Photographer: @WeWbt014
Title: inFAMOUS First Light | Developer: Sucker Punch Productions | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Initial Release: 26th August 2014
We've all seen shots of Fetch's neon powers before as she dashes around Seattle, but it's not the protagonist that creates the main interest this time for me. Instead it is actually the central pedestrian who has been cleverly captured staggering backwards with umbrella in hand and Fetch races by to add that sense of motion and speed to an otherwise static image.
Revisit your archives and share some lost shots on Twitter every Sunday using the #VPArchiveHour hashtag for a chance to feature in next month's post.
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