Week 1:

A current trend of VFX that I notice is the De-Aging of actors and actresses, An example of this is in the movie guardians of the galaxy vol 2.

Task: Exploring Harold Edgerton’s influence on VFX

 

Homework:

The Age of The Image 

I believe the phrase ‘The Age of the Image’ used by Dr. James Fox is meant to describe both the importance and the volume of images taken in the modern age. Dr. James Fox compares this ‘Age of the Image’ to other major ages of time such as the 18th century being referred to as the age of philosophy and the 19th century being referred to as the age of the novel. Dr. James fox then goes on to talk about how undoubtedly other periods had images, within the last 100 years or so, we as a collective have made more images than ever before, and that they have not only changed what we see, but how we see. In today’s world, images have become our gateway to unlocking the secrets of time and space. We are now capable of gazing billions of light years into the distance, observing our planet from a Birds eye-view, peering into our own bodies, and even observing our children before they come into the world. Moreover, we can now delve into the fundamental elements of life, despite their minuscule size. These remarkable accomplishments have seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, but their origins date back to an earlier era. In the early decades of the 20th century, advancements in science and technology revolutionized the laws of physics and forever altered our perception of the world. This revolution in our understanding of time and space not only transformed the imagery of time but was also profoundly influenced by it.

Week 2:

The Allegory of the Cave tells the story of prisoners confined in a dark cave, only able to see shadows on a wall cast by objects behind them, which they perceive as reality. When one prisoner escapes and discovers the outside world, he realizes the truth and the source of light. However, upon returning to enlighten the others, he encounters resistance from those still in the cave, who prefer their familiar shadows. This allegory highlights the distinction between the world of appearances and true reality, stressing the significance of education and philosophical inquiry in attaining understanding, as well as the challenges of assisting others in acknowledging and embracing deeper truths.

The Socratic method is a unique approach to education that avoids traditional lecturing and condescension. Instead of telling people what to think, it involves asking thought-provoking questions to spark discussion and encourage individuals to discover answers for themselves. This method often involves posing questions that intentionally reveal flaws and contradictions in the other person’s reasoning and logic. One of the reasons for using the Socratic method is to prevent people from becoming angry or offended when their thinking is challenged directly.

Two examples of the image becoming more like reality and reality becoming more like the image:

The Photographic Truth-Claim 

In the age of digital technology, the idea of historical progress is often questioned, as it seems to only shift unresolved issues rather than solve them. While both film and digital photographs can be altered, digital images are more easily and quickly modified. This shift prompts a reassessment of how digital technology is impacting photography, particularly in terms of its artistic identity and truth claims. Art photography has always embraced various creative experiments, using techniques like multiple negatives and aesthetic choices, showing that photography has never been confined to a single approach. Even though digital manipulation presents fascinating possibilities, it does not fundamentally change the status of photography as an art form. Many photographic practices, especially in commercial areas like politics and advertising, have historically disregarded truth claims. If digital manipulation were to completely disconnect photography from reality, the need for photographs would decrease, as they would become indistinguishable from other visual arts such as painting or drawing. Digital alterations can blur the lines between representation and fabrication, leading to a landscape where images are increasingly viewed with skepticism. As consumers become more aware of the potential for manipulation, the trust in photographic imagery may wane, raising profound questions about the role and function of photography in society. 

 

Week 3:

The Crown:

1. Identifying the Components: The series blends real sets (such as rooms or building sections) with digital backdrops that showcase iconic landmarks and recreate historical settings or events. Digital effects are frequently used to create weather conditions (like rain or clouds) and to extend streets or crowds, ensuring they align with the historical period.
2. Optics & Perspective: The cinematography mimics historical optics and lighting techniques to replicate natural sunlight as it would reflect off the actual palace. Careful alignment of actors and backgrounds is essential to maintain consistent depth, with the horizon line typically at the characters’ eye level, ensuring a realistic portrayal of the scene.
3. Believably in Composition: Consistent lighting and shadow play between practical sets and digital elements are key to maintaining believably. For instance, when characters move in front of windows or reflective surfaces, VFX artists ensure that light interacts with them naturally, adding to the realism.
4. Rule of Thirds:
   • Positioning Characters: The main characters are often placed slightly off-center, with the background (such as the palace) filling the remaining space. This composition creates balance and visual interest.
   • Balancing the Scene: This technique ensures that both the characters and the background complement each other, keeping the scene visually engaging without overwhelming the viewer with excessive detail.
5. Types of Elements: The scenes incorporate a mix of real, practical sets for intimate interactions, CGI to extend buildings or create historically accurate environments, and additional enhancements like weather effects or lighting adjustments to enhance the overall atmosphere.

 

Definition of VFX compositing 

VFX compositing is the process of combining various visual elements from different sources to create a seamless final image, making it appear as if everything was filmed together in a single shot. This is a crucial step in visual effects production, especially when blending live-action footage with CGI elements like 3D models, digital creatures, or other computer-generated effects. The process begins with the VFX plates, which are the live-action shots, often captured against green screens or on location. These plates are then combined with CGI elements that are designed to fit into the scene. Key techniques like rotoscoping (isolating objects or characters), keying (removing green or blue backgrounds), and color correction are used to ensure all elements blend smoothly. The composite also includes matte passes, which help define areas that need to be masked or altered, and adjustments to lighting and shadows to make sure everything looks consistent and natural. The purpose of compositing is to create the impression of reality—to make digital effects feel like they belong in the live-action world. This requires attention to detail, such as ensuring the CGI elements match the lighting, perspective, and motion of the live footage. When done correctly, compositing helps transport the audience into immersive worlds, whether it’s a digital monster interacting with real actors or fantastical environments that seem just as tangible as the real world. 

Week 4:

Photorealism 

Photorealism is an art style that aims to make images look as much like high-quality photographs as possible, capturing every detail, texture, light, and shadow with incredible accuracy. In the world of visual effects (VFX), artists use advanced software to mimic real-world lighting, colors, and movements, creating visuals that almost seem lifelike. There are two main types of photorealism in VFX: composite photorealism and CGI rendering.  

Composite photorealism combines live-action footage with computer-generated images (CGI) to create a single, realistic scene. The goal is to blend everything together so seamlessly that it feels like a genuine moment frozen in time, making it hard to tell what’s real and what’s been added digitally.  

CGI photorealism, on the other hand, uses 3D computer graphics to generate images that closely resemble real photographs. This requires careful attention to how light, colors, and textures interact in the real world to ensure the final product—whether it’s a still image or an animation—looks convincingly real. Thanks to advances in technology, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference between real-life footage and computer-generated images.  

A striking example of this is the AI-generated image by Boris Eldagsen, which won an award in 2023 and was initially mistaken for a real photograph. This sparked a wider conversation about AI’s ability to create visuals that feel authentically real, challenging our understanding of what constitutes “authentic” art. Today, photorealism is evolving, blending traditional, digital, and AI techniques, and prompting us to rethink what realism means in the world of visual art. 

 

Week 5:

Comparing Motion Capture to Key Frame Animation

Motion Capture (MoCap) and Key Frame Animation are two essential techniques in animation, each with its strengths. 

MoCap is especially effective for achieving realism, particularly in animating human and human-like characters. By capturing the movements of live actors, MoCap creates lifelike animations. A prime example is Planet of the Apes (2011), where MoCap was used to animate the apes, particularly the lead character Caesar. The technology captured not only physical movement but also subtle facial expressions, allowing the apes to express complex emotions like anger, sorrow, and empathy. This emotional depth helped create a stronger connection between the audience and the characters, making them feel more human. 

However, MoCap can sometimes lead to the “uncanny valley” effect, where characters resemble humans but appear unsettling. This was evident in Mowgli (2018), where the MoCap on animal characters resulted in awkward, unnatural movements. In such cases, Key Frame Animation can offer more flexibility, allowing for exaggerated or stylized movements better suited to fantasy or non-human creatures. 

On the other hand, MoCap was successfully used for Smaug in The Hobbit (2012), where it helped bring the dragon to life with fluid, realistic motion, without crossing into the uncanny valley. This fusion of MoCap and traditional animation techniques resulted in a character that was both fantastical and believable. 

In summary, MoCap and Key Frame Animation each have unique advantages. When combined, as seen in The Hobbit and Planet of the Apes, they create characters that are both realistic and fantastical. 

 

Week 6:

3D Scanning Process:
3D scanning is a method used to create digital models of objects, structures, environments, and even people by capturing detailed information about their shape and appearance.

Types of 3D Scanning Techniques:
There are various 3D scanning methods, including contact scanning, laser scanning, structured light, laser pulse, and photogrammetry. Each technique has its own set of benefits and limitations, making them suitable for different applications.

Applications of 3D Scanning:
3D scanning is utilized across numerous industries, such as entertainment, medicine, architecture, engineering, history, design, and forensics. It serves a variety of purposes, including prototyping, reverse engineering, analysis, and documentation.

Access to 3D Scanning Technology:
As 3D scanning technology advances, it is becoming more accessible to beginners, students, and hobbyists. Affordable and user-friendly 3D scanners and software are now available, making the technology easier to use for those new to the field.

Case Study: ScanLAB Projects and the Role of Reality Capture in Urban and Architectural Exploration 

Reality capture is the process of using cutting-edge technologies like 3D laser scanning, LiDAR, and photogrammetry to digitally record real-world environments, turning them into precise and detailed 3D models. ScanLAB Projects is a leading creative team that harnesses these technologies to explore and document spaces, events, and landscapes, creating highly accurate digital replicas. Their work showcases the potential of reality capture in preserving and understanding architectural and environmental history. 

ScanLAB Projects uses a combination of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and photogrammetry to gather data from the physical world. LiDAR scans use laser beams to measure distances and create point clouds, while photogrammetry involves taking numerous photographs from different angles to build 3D models. Together, these methods create highly accurate, immersive digital representations of buildings, landscapes, and even fleeting moments in time. This approach is especially effective for capturing complex or hard-to-reach locations. 

One of ScanLAB’s standout projects was the digital documentation of Highgate Cemetery in London. This historic Victorian cemetery, with its dense overgrowth and intricate architecture, was captured in great detail using 3D laser scanning. The resulting digital model preserves the cemetery’s historical significance and allows for virtual exploration. Not only does this serve as a digital record, but it also plays a key role in future restoration efforts, ensuring any changes to the site are made with precision and respect for its history. 

Through their work, ScanLAB Projects demonstrates how reality capture is transforming fields like architecture, archaeology, and urban planning, providing powerful tools for preservation, analysis, and virtual engagement. 

Week 7:

Photogrammetry is a method that utilizes several 2D images to generate a 3D model of an object or surface. This process involves capturing numerous overlapping photos from various angles, which are then stitched together using specialized software.

Applications of Photogrammetry include:

• Archaeology: Documenting underwater archaeological sites and mapping seafloor features.
• Engineering: Producing 3D models for construction and design projects.

 

Week 8:

The Precession of Simulacra

In Simulacra and Simulation, Baudrillard challenges the traditional divide between reality and its representations, arguing that contemporary culture is increasingly shaped by hyperreal simulations. These simulations not only obscure but often replace or even create entirely new versions of reality. The simulation, or the map, ultimately becomes the reality we experience.

Baudrillard contends that in modern society, the map (or simulation) no longer merely reflects the real world; instead, it becomes more “real” to us than the world itself. In this sense, we no longer directly perceive the world around us. Rather, we engage with and understand it through representations, which are often manipulated and disconnected from any genuine reality.

Week 9: