Mik Bromley
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.
The inherent momentary nature of social media means that any given piece of work can fail to reach its audience...
Title: Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Theme: RANDOM
Developer: Eidos-Montréal | Publisher: Square Enix | Initial Release: 14th September 2018
The kind of shot that you can imagine as part of the game's promotional material, this really captures the rich jungle environment of Shadow of the Tomb Raider, but don't underestimate the importance of Lara's stance that really portrays a cautious approach to what could be around her.
- BY // GAMINGBYFRAME -
Title: Assassin's Creed Odyssey | Theme: SUNSET
Developer: Ubisoft Quebec | Publisher: Ubisoft | Initial Release: 5th October 2018
Sunsets are always effective by the coastline as the light reflects across the surface of water on its descent towards the horizon, and some simple structural outlines are a great way to add interest. That is exactly what we see here with a wooden fishing apparatus that stands in wait for the next working day.
- BY // KEM_ONO_MIMI -
Title: Assassin's Creed Valhalla | Theme: RANDOM
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal | Publisher: Ubisoft | Initial Release: 10th November 2020
The gorgeous cast of colour across the floor immediately tells you that this is light shining through the stained-glass window, but look a little more closely and you'll see that this technically isn't the case. While it shouldn't detract from the aesthetic, the illusion is revealed as the projected pattern of the individual coloured squares is a mismatch for that of the window itself.
- BY // JPVP_1 -
Title: Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales | Theme: RANDOM
Developer: Insomniac Games | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Initial Release: 12th Nov 2020
We definitely don't need to see the face, or rather the mask, inside that grey hood to know that this is Spider-Man, but what really draws my attention is the contrasting red sleeves and falling snow flakes against a deep black backdrop, while the clean & crisp downlighting brings out some fine texture details.
- BY // SCOTTOKA1 -
Title: Marvel's Spider-Man | Theme: SUNSET
Developer: Insomniac Games | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Initial Release: 7th Sept 2018
Not every photograph needs to be in sharp focus or packed with detail to be effective, as this example perfectly proves. The soft silhouette of the viewing binoculars add a little context to the environment, and a lone pedestrian is seen gathering their thoughts with a cup of coffee in hand as the sun goes down.
- BY // LEG_0412 -
Title: The Outer Worlds | Theme: RANDOM
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment | Publisher: Private Division | Initial Release: 25th October 2019
The light pouring into the shot certainly adds beauty here, but it is the setting that creates the most interest. The organic shapes that make up the structure of the wall, and the clouds of spore-like particles hanging in the air give this space an entirely alien feel, while the sheer scale brings a sense of foreboding about what you might encounter there.
- BY // SOULSURRENDER -
Title: A Plague Tale: Innocence | Theme: CARRY
Developer: Asobo Studio | Publisher: Focus Home Interactive | Initial Release: 14th May 2019
Hands can be so communicative, and the way that this capture picks out the held hands of the two subjects using selective shadow & lighting manages to tell the viewer of a close and caring relationship without the need to show anything more.
Title: Ghost of Tsushima | Theme: SUNSET
Developer: Sucker Punch | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Initial Release: 17th July 2020
Despite the soft pastel colours, this tree cuts a lonely and weathered figure in its desolate, frozen surroundings as its inverted shape gives the impression of harsh conditions and a wind that has all but stripped the branches bare. The only remaining foliage is hunkered down in the shelter of nearby mounds, making the whole thing look like an art installation.
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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