When I was 14, I won a photography contest at school. As a result, I got to visit the local offices of a large marketing company, see the ins and outs, and try my hand at some work in their studio. Also, silver-platter sandwiches.
It was something I enjoyed – the photography, not the sandwiches. Show me any creative hobby and I’ll probably teach myself how to do it and see how hyperfixated I get. It’s an endless cycle that has resulted in these words you’re reading right now, the videos I have created, and the oh-so-fun images and graphics therein.
Don’t get me wrong, the sandwiches are good. I enjoyed that part too. But, like, I’m already at a stretch writing about photography on a gaming site, so let me sit on the sandwich angle for a bit.
I took about a decade away from photography after that competition. No reason why, just other things to hyperfixate on, like Adobe Premiere, and bills. But last year, I decided to casually splash out a ridiculous amount on a new camera to get back into things. A smart decision it was not, but a fun one nonetheless.
I tried to pick up where I left off, and started understanding the more technical aspects of the hobby. It can be a lot, as with any new hardware or software, but I was determined. Then I thought of a way I could extend my experience in photography, giving myself more ways to experiment and learn about the fundamentals: video games™!
Just One More Reason To Justify An Obsession With Video Games
I compiled a list of games that have good photo modes to test out varying mechanics and styles within vastly different worlds and environments, and this was a truly wonderful way to learn. I first set off into the world of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, because I still believe Forbidden West is one of the most beautiful games ever made, so I wanted to return to the original in full glory and capture it as best I could.
My initial thought was that Horizon would be perfect for environmental photography, capturing the landscapes and bouncing light, but my real start was in portrait work. The details of the face models in Horizon are incredible, and allow for some beautiful close-up experimentation, playing with the depth of field and ways to frame them.
I’m not a master at photography by any means, but that’s the point, so it’s literally illegal for you to judge me.
I then wanted to use Dragon’s Dogma 2 – my Game of the Year from 2024 – and this was a wonderful insight into bringing the magic of the world to life. My subject: moustache man. The possibilities: endless.
In photo mode, I mainly focused on the character himself, standing as part of incredible backdrops and scenery. And that’s talking up my own skills, the game just looks incredible almost effortlessly. Particularly, I had fun with particles of magic and embers in the air, fiddling with the colours and luminance to bring them to life.
If You Haven’t Played Dragon’s Dogma 2: Play Dragon’s Dogma 2
So I also did Forspoken, Demon’s Souls, and Cyberpunk 2077 – but you get the jist, right? I used these platforms to mess around with the various capturing settings and different ways in which I could frame the unimaginable. Sure, I was never going to see magic tomes or grand mythical beasts in real life, but I could at least practice with thi- never mind.
Did I Actually Learn Anything From This?
I learned a good deal from using these photo modes. I don’t think it could ever replace real-world experience, but it made for a fun way to explore the art in new ways, and in ways I actually couldn’t achieve in the real world. It gave me more reason to look for beauty in our own world, coming from what I previously considered to be infinitely more so in digital forms.
Games are still more beautiful than this mess of a world, but I’ll continue to take pictures to make it seem that little bit better.
- Released
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March 22, 2024
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence