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    • 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
    Humber Bridge Housing
    Humber Bridge Housing - Existing View from Bridge
    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.
    • Humber Bridge Housing - Proposed View from Bridge
    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.
    Humber Bridge Housing - Existing View Zoomed
    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.
    Humber Bridge Housing - Proposed View Zoomed
    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.
    Humber Bridge Housing - Existing View in Detail
    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.
    Humber Bridge Housing - Proposed View in Detail
    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.
    Humber Bridge Housing - Existing View from Foreshore
    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.
    Humber Bridge Housing - Proposed View from Foreshore
    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.
    Humber Bridge Housing - Existing View Zoomed
    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.
    Humber Bridge Housing - Proposed View Zoomed
    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.
    Humber Bridge Housing - Existing View in Detail
    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.
    Humber Bridge Housing - Proposed View in Detail
    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
    A5117 Highway Improvements
    A5117 Highway Improvements - Existing Highway
    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!
    • A5117 Highway Improvements - 3D model overlay
    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 - New junction and mounds
    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 - with 15 year vegetation added
    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.
  • A5 Highway Improvements
    A5 Highway Improvements
    A5 Highway Improvements - Existing Site
    2B was commissioned to illustrate the visual effects of this highway improvement scheme, by producing five photomontages along it's length. This one shows how a deep cutting would look as the road passes through a hill and winds towards the horizon. The existing site was a cabbage field viewed from a road.
    • A5 Highway Improvements - photomontage
    The photomontage shows a deep cutting, viewed from an overbridge
    A5 Highway Improvements - photomontage with planting
    The highway earthworks are softened with planting - this was indicative of ten year's growth on the highway verge.
    A5 Highway Improvements - as built
    Many years after producing the photomontages, here is the reality! - shortly after opening.
    A5 Highway Improvements - photomontage zoomed
    if we return to the photomontage, we can zoom in to show some of the detail...
    A5 Highway Improvements - as built zoomed
    ...and finally, back to reality. Although lighting and field colours will vary from one year to the next, the highway geometry is very accurate when comparing the photomontage and the constructed reality.
  • ARC, Hull
    ARC, Hull
    ARC, Hull
    This sequence shows how ARC, the architecture centre in Hull, could have a better setting to demonstrate integrated urban design.
    • ARC, Hull
    This sequence shows how ARC, the architecture centre in Hull, could have a better setting to demonstrate integrated urban design.
    ARC, Hull
    This sequence shows how ARC, the architecture centre in Hull, could have a better setting to demonstrate integrated urban design.
    ARC, Hull
    This sequence shows how ARC, the architecture centre in Hull, could have a better setting to demonstrate integrated urban design.
    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
    North Cave Wetlands
    North Cave Wetlands - The existing fields...
    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 Masterplanning > Restoration example.
    • North Cave Wetlands - ...and after gravel extraction
    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 previous slide and also Masterplanning > 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.

    Aerial photo - existing Nature Reserve towards top left
    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.

    Diagrammatic view of phase 2 - Wet Grassland and Water
    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.

    Diagrammatic view of phase 3 - with matrix of Grassland and Open Water
    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.

    Back to the existing view
    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.

    Phase 2 - photo-realistic photomontage
    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.

    Phase 3 - photo-realistic photomontage
    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.

    Phase 3 - zoomed view to show detail
  • Natural England: Norfolk Broads
    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.
    • Natural England: impacts of Climate Change - Norfolk Broads
    As part of the research, 2B produced a series of aerial and ground-level photomontages referencing GIS-based water-level and habitat data. The aerial photomontages were based on aerial photos, such as this view of the Upper Thurne Basin. ©Mike Page
    Natural England: impacts of Climate Change - Norfolk Broads
    To quote the Natural England report: "The above picture has involved the manipulation of the original... to show a possible adapted landscape that results in a healthy and resilient freshwater wetland that meets the needs of people and their livelihoods."

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