Virtual Photography
Photography is a pretty fun hobby, you get to capture moments happening in life as they happen. Special moments to look back on and remember things you've seen and experienced. But what about games? A lot of games these days sure can look pretty but what if you'd use that as a medium for photography? While nothing beats getting out there with a DSLR and snapping away but using games as the source of photography is not a bad alternative.
I've used games as a medium for photography for years and sometimes it can be just as satisfying as the real thing. Granted you have a lot more space to get your shot and not have to worry about things moving, people getting in the way and the like. But what I like most about using games as a medium for photography is the accessibility of it. I have seen my fair share of people get their interest in photography from virtual photography. Even more if whatever game is being used has a robust photography mode.
Personally my experiences with digital photography has primarily come from various Forza games. While I do enjoy taking photos of cars at shows and whatnot, the freedom something like a Forza game offers is wonderful. A huge roster of cars in (most of the time) wonderful locations whether it would be racetracks from around the world or exotic locations.
Forza's photography mode has always been rather decent with options for shutter speed, focus, aperture, contrast, etc. My first foray into Forza's photo mode was with Forza Motorsport 4. It was around this time I had also taken college classes for photography as well and applying what I was learning to that was intriguing for me. Ever since each Forza game I bought for myself I would always experiment with it's photo mode and apply my real world experience and knowledge and try to get realistic results. The challenge was always exciting for me and kept me wanting more.
While the game itself does a decent job rendering photos I want fairly well, the option to use 3rd party software to further edit is also an option that actual photographers do as well. While not a "real" photo you can still cut your teeth with editing on images like these to understand and hone in skills for editing.
Though one thing I sort of "restrict" myself when doing digital photography is I tend to think as if I am in that space getting photos of the car. But you aren't limited to what in reality you couldn't do and many of those in the medium quite often take advantage of. Like photos of cars going airborne, super close rolling shots among other ideas. Me personally I don't care for such styles but there is no real limit to how you get that shot.
Virtual Photography is still a hobby in my eyes and just as credible as photography out in the real world. So get out there and snag some shots!
See y'all next time. ~