Project Description

I was charged with creating a realistic-looking world that could be a believable scene. I decided to create an ancient tropical scene with a cloudy, dark sunset sky and possibly Mayan pyramids. I chose a full sunset photo for the sky. The waterfall is built from two instances of one photo (reflected horizontally). I isolated the water portion and stretched it down to the proper length. Using layer masks, I was able to fade the photos seamlessly into each other, and fade them into the background painting. I took similar action on the foreground foliage.

The final matte painting consists of 9 separate photos, some of which are instantiated multiple times. Some of the duplicates are modified in size, orientation and/or layer effects and adjustments to create the desired look. I used some of the original color comp painting to show through and complement the photos, to create the final layout.