Photomontage of the rendering of a 3D model on a real photography environment

Photomontage of the rendering of a 3D model over a real photograph is a powerful technique that combines the best of two things: reality and virtuality. It allows you to create impactful, realistic and highly personalized images, offering great flexibility and significant improvement in terms of costs and creativity.

Making a photomontage of a 3D model of a rendered object onto a real photograph involves combining virtual elements with real-world scenes to create a coherent and attractive image. This process is used in a wide range of fields, such as advertising, cinema, architecture, and product design.
Below, we explain step by step how to carry out this type of photomontage, as well as its advantages.

Preparation of the real photograph:
Image selection: Choose a high-quality photograph that will be the base of the photomontage. It is important that the lighting, angle, and resolution are suitable for the project.
Lighting and shadow analysis:** Observe how the light affects the objects in the photograph. Take into account the direction, intensity, and color of the light, as well as the shadows that form.

Creation of the rendered object:
3D scanning: Scan your object with high-definition 3D scanners to capture all the details of shape and texture. We use textures in PBR format, which are files that contain all the necessary texture information for the model to look realistic in any digital environment.
Texturing and materials: Apply realistic textures and materials to the model. This includes adjusting properties such as reflectance, roughness, and transparency to ensure the object integrates well with the real image.
Model lighting: Using rendering software, configure the lights in the virtual scene to simulate the lighting in the real photograph. This is crucial for achieving credible integration.

Rendering the object:
Camera setup: Adjust the virtual camera to match the angle and perspective of the real photograph. If we have the configuration and position of the real camera, even better. This step is essential for visual coherence.
Rendering: Render the object with high quality, saving it in a format that allows for easy integration with the photograph (such as PNG with a transparent background).

Integrating the render with the photograph:
Using composition software: Use image manipulation software like Adobe Photoshop (or GIMP) to combine the rendered object with the photograph.
Color and tone adjustment: Adjust the colors, saturation, and levels of the object to ensure they match the photograph. This may include color correction and shadow blending.

Advantages of photomontage

Versatility and flexibility:
Allows for the creation of scenes and compositions that would be difficult or impossible to capture in real life.
Facilitates modification and updating of the image, as virtual elements can be easily adjusted without the need for new photo sessions.
Cost savings:
Reduces the need for costly photo sessions, especially for complex or hard-to-access scenes.
Avoids the need to transport large or heavy objects to the photo location.
Enhanced creativity:
Opens up a world of creative possibilities, allowing for the combination of real and virtual elements in innovative ways.
Facilitates the creation of visual prototypes and realistic demonstrations of products before their physical production.
Augmented reality and virtual reality:
Photomontages can be used in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications, offering immersive and interactive experiences.