Bobby Parker 11/21/23 Bobby Parker 11/21/23

Finding the Picture

Most, if not all, projects have a budget or some cost restrictions. Usually, my clients want to show as much as they can in one view without considering composition, light, shadow, or a focal point.

I structure my quotes so that multiple views can be chosen. Most illustrators have a flat fee, which means if you want the back of your house illustrated, it'll cost the same as the front—a second view of the front, the same price as the initial view. My fees are structured, so if you want the back of your house illustrated, since I already did the front, working out the details and colors, it'll take less work, which means less money so that you can allocate some money for some lovely vignettes. I have found that people still try to save money and not give that extra money to some beautiful vignettes or hero shots, which is too bad. The hero shots are what will sell your project.

Have you ever seen the cover of a set of construction documents? What do you see? You know, an isometric, with the camera high, showing the entire structure. This is OK; they are construction documents. However, they are not OK if you want something beautifully eye-pleasing.

Have you ever watched a professional architectural or landscape photographer work? They will sit for hours for that perfect light. When I go out taking photos, my hobby is to find a picture. That light can fall perfectly through the trees on just one flower, which is magical; I found the picture!

When creating an architectural rendering, I virtually walk the model with a virtual camera and lens, looking for the picture. I move the sun, raise the camera, lower the camera, and move the sun some more. It is always tricky when I am put in a box, being told the exact view, which people will only know what will work if someone spends the time walking the site. Foreground, middle ground, background, subtle depth of field, and some atmospherical atmosphere are all used to tell a story.

Most people, even people in architecture, need help understanding photography, composition, light and shadow, or even storytelling. There are rules and rules to be broken, but you can only break them if you know them. A professional can tell an amateur's work right away. You never put down an amateur because you can break their spirit. We were all amateurs at one point, but an amateur is easy to see.

It can take longer to find the picture than to build the model. However, making the model should be where the art starts, not when the project is completed.

Facebook memories are an excellent way to see things that were once worth posting. Here are some hero shots that I came across today, which initiated this post. I did these a few years ago for a client who understood the importance of finding the picture.

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Bobby Parker 11/15/23 Bobby Parker 11/15/23

Brule House Rendering

The Brule house rendering features a charming, large two-story wooden house incorporating a garage, situated in a peaceful and tranquil setting. The house is surrounded by a sizable front yard filled with lush green grass and tall trees. A long driveway leads up to the garage, offering a path through the serene landscape. Above, the sky is clear and blue, reinforcing the sense of tranquility.

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Bobby Parker 11/12/23 Bobby Parker 11/12/23

Material Study Rendering

What an excellent case study for an architectural rendering. The architect's client couldn't decide on stone or all brick, so he directed his client to me. It was a wise investment to commission an illustrator to illustrate both options so a decision could be made confidently.

Which one do you like?

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Bobby Parker 11/10/23 Bobby Parker 11/10/23

1014 Kent Place House Rendering

This rendering depicts a large two-story house with a grey exterior, including a grey roof, garage, and shutters, all enhanced by white trim. The house is designed in a traditional style and is situated within a lush green environment. A green lawned yard is spread out to the front and right of the house, bordered by a white fence. A driveway leads up to the grey garage door, and two stone pillars mark the entrance to the property. The house is nestled within a neighborhood, with a tranquil, private ambiance created by numerous trees. Above, the sky is a clear blue scattered with white clouds, adding to the serene setting.

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Bobby Parker 11/8/23 Bobby Parker 11/8/23

Rouge House Rendering

This beautiful architectural rendering shows a large brown wooden house with a rustic appearance. The house has a two-car garage with two garage doors on the right side. It is set in a grassy area with several trees in the background, including more giant trees on the right and left sides of the house and smaller trees in the middle and along the back of the house. The house has a tranquil and inviting atmosphere, with large windows and wooden accents adding charm. The sky is blue with white clouds, completing the picturesque scene.

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Bobby Parker 11/6/23 Bobby Parker 11/6/23

Curve House Rendering

Talk about complex; the curved house rendering hardly has a straight line.

A tranquil and picturesque rendering featuring a significantly large, two-story house with a unique curved design. The house exhibits a light color palette, complemented by a distinct curved roof. The structure is surrounded by a lush garden, embracing various trees and creating a serene and relaxing atmosphere. The entrance to the house is accentuated with a broad porch adorned with a staircase leading to the first floor. All these elements are set against a backdrop of a clear blue sky, offering a sense of peace, harmony, and escape from the rush of city life.

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Bobby Parker 11/3/23 Bobby Parker 11/3/23

McKenzie House Rendering

The architectural rendering displays a large, rustic house made of logs, featuring a front porch supported by wooden pillars. The architecture of the house includes large windows and a stone foundation. The house is positioned on a grassy hill. Trees in the background and a brown roof that mimics their green canopies imbue the scene with a sense of harmony and tranquillity. The image strongly emphasizes the seamless blend between the house and its natural surroundings.

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Bobby Parker 10/26/23 Bobby Parker 10/26/23

3D modern-style house Rendering

This 3D image displays a modern-style house with a front porch, stairs, and a black railing. The entrance to the house is visible from the covered porch. The two-story house has a two-car garage and a beige exterior with dark accents on the windows and doors. The visible front yard is adorned with plants, trees bordering the street, and a pleasant sky with a few clouds encompassing the serene view.

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Bobby Parker 10/25/23 Bobby Parker 10/25/23

Craftsman-Style House Rendering

This exterior architectural rendering depicts a digital rendering of a two-story modern craftsman-style home. The home features a large front porch and an exterior of brown shingles and brick. A two-car garage is part of the home. Surrounding the home is a lush, green front yard through which a sidewalk is laid out. The image portrays a peaceful suburban setting.

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Bobby Parker 10/24/23 Bobby Parker 10/24/23

House 14255 Rendering

This architectural rendering displays a serene neighborhood with a modern two-story house. A spacious two-car garage, connected by a driveway, is featured in the house with primarily beige tones. The architectural design includes enormous windows on the first and second levels and a few smaller ones. Lush green grass surrounds the house, with trees in the background. The serene atmosphere is further emphasized by the clear blue sky overhead and the noticeable absence of any human activity.

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