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: Ghost of Tsushima | Developer: Sucker Punch | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Initial Release: 17th July 2020
Misty woods are one of those things that look stunning to the eye but can be difficult to capture the essence of in a single image. This shot certainly pulls it off though with the letterbox crop focusing attention on the trees as they gradually fade into the distance, the sun shining in to light up the midground, and even a cluster of fireflies adding life to the scene.
Title: A Plague Tale: Innocence | Developer: Asobo Studio | Publisher: Focus Home Interactive | Initial Release: 14th May 2019
In this shot the dense fog actually creates a murkiness and low-fidelity aesthetic that generates a sense of intrigue, but it is the single lantern the draws the eye and creates an outline of the boat as its occupants head out into the unknown.
Title: Bound | Developer: Plastic Demo | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Initial Release: 16th Aug 2016
An exercise in perfect subject positioning, this shot masterfully places the Bound Princess in a narrow shaft of light to create a perfect silhouette and elongated shadow. Don't underestimate the importance of the shallow depth of field and high contrast B&W though because it is these that add a perception of depth and drama to the shot.
Title: Horizon Zero Dawn | Developer: Guerrilla Games | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Initial Release: 28th Feb 2017
This early – and optional – location in Horizon Zero Dawn remains one of its most beautiful and is a great reminder that the best isn't always saved until last. A small amount of edge lighting adds interest to the foreground tree, but it is the distant sunlight pouring into the canyon and over the silent presence of a stricken aircraft that really makes this work.
Title: Ghost of Tsushima | Developer: Sucker Punch | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Initial Release: 17th July 2020
Another classic location, this time from the island of Tsushima, these vibrant ginkgo trees look resplendent between the foreground lake and late afternoon sky. I would argue though, that the effort to include the reflected sun on the water has compromised the balance slightly and it may have been more effective with a little extra sky instead.
Title: Red Dead Redemption 2 | Developer: Rockstar Studios | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Initial Release: 26th October 2018
The quiet serenity of fishing is captured beautifully here as the two subjects wait patiently for a bite on an old pier that projects out from the bottom corner of the frame. In case the period clothes didn't give it away, a sepia tone and smattering of old-film defects give the shot an olden-day feel.
Title: Control | Developer: Remedy Entertainment | Publisher: 505 Games | Initial Release: 27th Aug 2019
Close-up and abstract, yet instantly recognisable to anyone familiar with the game, this shot of the Control Service Weapon brilliantly uses oblique lighting to glint on the flat metal faces and relies on only a minimal amount of illumination to reveal more of its shape.
Title: Grand Theft Auto Online | Developer: Rockstar North | Publisher: Rockstar Games | Initial Release: 1st October 2013
As the rainy gloom sets a downbeat mood, a distant figure stands alone near the edge of a cliff looking out into the emptiness to create a rather thought provoking image; who are they, what are they thinking and what are they doing there...?
Title: Star Citizen | Developer: Cloud Imperium Games | Publisher: Cloud Imperium Games | Initial Release: Ongoing alpha release
With the camera positioned behind and slightly below the space-suited subject, this beautiful shot lets the viewer share in the experience of what they must be seeing in that stunningly coloured sky. I can't help but wish though, that they were positioned more towards the empty space on the right to create a look-across-shot balance.
Revisit your archives and share some lost shots on Twitter every Sunday. Look out for the #VPArchiveHour theme post and simply reply with something from your existing archives for a chance to feature in next month's post.
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