Composing An Environment Shot
polycounter lvl 11
I've recently had to take a looker at at composing screenshots at several environments and it got me wondering. Why are most environment concepts done with a high, instead of lower, angle on the scene.
Obviously, most of the time you want to compose your shot relative to an observer so that would be about 5-6ft off the ground. That way it feels relatable.
However, I see a lot of angles even higher off the ground than that, and almost none (although a few still) lower to the ground.
Anyone care to offer their thoughts on why this is, and any recommendation on camera height/angle when creating environment compositions?
Obviously, most of the time you want to compose your shot relative to an observer so that would be about 5-6ft off the ground. That way it feels relatable.
However, I see a lot of angles even higher off the ground than that, and almost none (although a few still) lower to the ground.
Anyone care to offer their thoughts on why this is, and any recommendation on camera height/angle when creating environment compositions?
Replies
Perhaps showing a movie walkthrough would be a better option, as then you can show the environment as it is in-game. I've seen that done a few times, successfully.
But i think lower shots are more interesting. ESPECIALLY if there is something cool in the foreground.
I do see this every once in a great while but if you take a look at concept artist blogs they are few and far in between.
God of war 3 and uncharted both had some wicked moments where you climb up a ladder or cliff wiith a wickedly composed background shot, those are some good games to look at.