Photorealism – An Exciting New Trend in the VFX Industry

Since the conception of the term by Louis K. Meisel in 1969, the word “photorealism” has gathered much-deserved attention and applications across all traditional and modern-day artistic endeavors. In simple words, photorealism is a visual effects technique that includes drawing, painting and all graphic material available at a photographer or filmmaker’s disposal and then using different platforms and mediums to make the gathered information as life-like as possible.

Although photorealism originated from pop art, it has evolved considerably over the years. Photorealism has survived this long because it has been undiluted and has managed to stay consistently compelling.

Understanding Photorealism

One of the most commonly-heard statements from cine-goers these days is, “Wow, that looked so real!”

Now, how is that made possible? A huge misconception is that all a VFX artist does is make an
image as realistic as possible. The approach to creating a VFX sequence depends on the object in question and whether it follows the laws of nature or not. For example, if a VFX supervisor is to shoot a car or an animal, he chooses the photograph which has the most detailed texture, composition or light to enhance and make it look more realistic on screen. But when it comes to preparing for a sequence that has an alien ship or sci-fi props like the ones used in Star Wars, there’s nothing much to compare the image to. It all now boils down to the VFX artist’s vision, creativity and skills to use all the information and create magic on-screen.

The amazing benefits of photorealistic animation

Photorealistic animation is a powerful visual tool that brings virtual worlds to life with astonishing realism. By utilizing advanced techniques and cutting-edge technology, photorealistic animation has become an essential element in various industries, from entertainment and advertising to architecture and product visualization. Let’s explore the amazing benefits of photorealistic animation.

Immersive Visual Experience: Photorealistic animation creates an immersive visual experience that transports viewers into a virtual environment that looks incredibly realistic. The attention to detail, lifelike textures, and accurate lighting techniques combine to produce animations that are almost indistinguishable from real-life footage. This level of realism captivates audiences, allowing them to engage with the content on a deeper and more emotional level.

Enhanced Brand Perception: Incorporating photorealistic animation into your marketing campaigns or product visualizations elevates the perception of your brand. The high-quality visuals and attention to detail in photorealistic animations create a sense of professionalism and excellence. This level of sophistication enhances your brand’s credibility, making it stand out in a competitive marketplace.

Product Visualization: Photorealistic animation is particularly beneficial for showcasing products and prototypes. By rendering products in lifelike detail, you can present them to potential customers or investors before they are physically produced. This allows you to gather feedback, make improvements, and create buzz around your offerings. Photorealistic animation helps customers envision how the product will look and perform, making it easier for them to make purchasing decisions.

Architectural Visualization: In architecture and real estate industries, photorealistic animation is a game-changer. It allows architects, interior designers, and property developers to showcase their designs in breathtaking detail. From showcasing realistic lighting effects to presenting interior spaces with accurate materials and textures, photorealistic animations help clients visualize the final product. This leads to better decision-making, increased client satisfaction, and improved marketing efforts.

Commercial Visual Effects (VFX): In the entertainment industry, photorealistic animation plays a vital role in creating stunning visual effects. From blockbuster movies to TV commercials, photorealistic VFX can transport audiences into fantastical worlds, create convincing creatures, and bring unimaginable scenarios to life. These visual effects not only entertain but also contribute to the overall storytelling and audience engagement.

Cost and Time Efficiency: Photorealistic animation can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional photography or live-action video production. It allows you to create stunning visuals without the need for physical sets, props, or expensive equipment. Additionally, it offers flexibility in terms of revisions and modifications, saving time and resources compared to reshooting or re-creating physical scenes.

Unlimited Creative Possibilities: Photorealistic animation provides limitless creative possibilities. It allows you to visualize concepts and ideas that are difficult or impossible to capture through traditional means. Whether it’s creating imaginary worlds, showcasing futuristic products, or simulating complex scenarios, photorealistic animation enables you to unleash your imagination and bring your visions to life.

Mind-blowing Examples of Photorealism

To cite some examples of the use of photorealism in VFX, we can refer to the imagery used in movies like Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Disney’s The Jungle Book. The use of realistic imagery and the finished product gives you a preview of what photorealism can do for the VFX industry and not just limited to the movie business.

1. Photorealistic changes in composition and lighting in Korvath’s appearance
   

   Source: reddit.com/r/marvelstudios/

2. Photorealism-infused VFX used in Maleficent
   

   Source: whatsontheredcarpet.com

3. From the production sets of The Jungle Book
   

   Source: nongthonviet.com.vn

The science behind creating all these effects and sequences, in layman’s terms, is called image rendering. Fortunately, no added resource training or new technology training is required when it comes to the use of photorealism in the world of VFX. It is simply compiling all the information and details gathered from multiple frames and making it ready for the final cut of the film. That being said, the higher the demand for photorealism, the more is the time required for final visual output or sequence to be created.

Which Are the Most Popular Photorealism Tools?

The most widely-used rendering software or image-enhancing tools include 3Delight, Arnold, Artlantis, Clarisse, Maxwell Render and Octane Render Solidworks Visual. These are the most in-demand tools currently being employed by VFX studios such as Sony Pictures, Marvel Studios and DreamWorks.

Over the years, VFX companies like ILM, Weta and Pixar have come up with state-of-the-art 3D modeling, animation and rendering technologies that can convincingly simulate anything of everything. Subsequently, these technologies were included in the commercial software sector, where anyone could buy them, and with the easy availability of high-tech hardware, it only makes it easier for VFX studios to have access to these capabilities (which were once exclusively reserved for big production houses).

The Future of VFX

So, what comes next? As VFX technologies and filmmaking techniques evolve with each passing day, it is quite possible that very soon, it will get more and more difficult to distinguish between reality captured on camera and that synthesized on visual effects software!

The only way for VFX studios to stand out is to never settle for anything less than the best (in terms of visual outputs) and keep scaling things up in terms of quality. At Toolbox Studio, a VFX company in India, we spend a good amount of time discussing and embracing technological advancements in the world of VFX, frequently conducting interactive sessions where younger VFX artists can learn about what is new in the industry, and sharing creative thoughts and ideas that can then be implemented on the projects that we work on.

What are your thoughts about photorealism? Where do you see the VFX industry 10 years from now? We would love to hear your thoughts and opinions – so type away in the comments section below!

Shahrukh Sayyed

Last updated: October 4, 2024

Shahrukh Sayyed, a skilled Cinematographer and Video Editor, brings over a decade of industry expertise. Shahrukh's impact is evident in major ads for Coca-Cola, Manforce, Invisalign, Kia Seltos, Spotify, and more, earning accolades in international film festivals.