Photomontage

Photomontages are now a well-established technique to illustrate design proposals. They usually use photo-editing software to produce a realistic impression and often support Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Proofs of Evidence at Planning Inquiries.

Vector Drawing

This is a simpler form of photomontage, involving computer “drawing” with outlines, gradients and textures to produce quick impressions of designs. It can range from basic to quite sophisticated images, such as the design proposal around Hull’s architecture centre “ARC” (see right).

Photographic techniques to extend photomontages

Pole-mounted photos

The ARC image demonstrates another useful technique. Photos taken from van-mounted telescopic poles can reach elevations of 26m (nearly 100ft) which is enough to see over most houses and large trees. This allows proposals to be seen in context and, in many cases, to be better-understood than equivalent ground-level views.

Aerial Photography

Full aerial photos are ideal for showing landscape-scale changes. Indeed no other technique will provide a more comprehensive overview of a site and its landscape context. See the North Cave Wetlands (Aerial) photos and the Natural England Norfolk Broads as examples.

Project examples:

Humber Bridge Housing

We produced 3D models from the architect's plans, then created these views to show the effects of the residential development at the east side of the Humber Bridge, near Hessle. The photomontages helped to convince planning officers and members that the development would offer a quality contribution to this key waterfront location.

A5117 Highway Improvements

This photomontage shows significant changes to the local highway system, as a result of the A5117 improvements in Deeside near Chester. The 2nd image is just a reference to the modelling used (see 3D Modelling page). The hardest part of this job wasn't showing the new features, but visualising what could be seen after the trees (in the Existing view) were removed. It takes time and skill!

A5 Highway Improvements

2B was commissioned to illustrate the visual effects of this highway improvement scheme, by producing five photomontages along it's length. This one shows a deep cutting created as the road passes through a hill and winds towards the horizon.

ARC, Hull

This sequence shows how ARC, the architecture centre in Hull, could have a better setting to demonstrate integrated urban design.

North Cave Wetlands

This pair of images shows the existing North Cave agricultural landscape, and proposed situation of lakes created by gravel extraction, with restoration for nature conservation. Note that as well as showing the water bodies, the entire area would be lowered by the gravel extraction. For more information see the next slide and also Materplanning > Restoration example.

North Cave Wetlands (Aerial)

It seemed to us that the best way to explain large-scale landscape change would be from the air, so we produced this aerial photomontage. Unsurprisingly, it was the most-used image at the project's public exhibition. Not everyone can read technical plans, but everyone understands a photograph.

Natural England: Norfolk Broads

Natural England: impacts of Climate Change - Norfolk Broads

Natural England's study into the impacts of Climate Change looked at four character areas around the UK, including the Norfolk Broads. The resulting report is available here.

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