Q & A: What is the background image in the poll's renders?
Added 2022-10-14 15:16:01 +0000 UTCWhen I receive a question through a direct message, so far I have just replied to the person asking the question. From now on, if I think that the question could be of general interest, I'll make a post with the reply so that everyone can read it.
Someone has asked me about the image that I have used as background in the renders to choose the outfits of Gabby and Emma for Chapter 19. This image is an HDRI (High Dynamic Range Image). Typically, an HDRI captures a view of a location in all directions from a single point of view, and it is created by combining several pictures with different exposures. An HDRI is commonly used as background image. Additionally, in 3D design, the information contained in the HDRI file can also be used to light a scene. You can read here a more detailed explanation.
https://www.lightmap.co.uk/blog/howdoeshdrilightingwork/
The HDRI image used in the poll's renders is this one
https://polyhaven.com/a/rooitou_park
It was taken at Rooitou Park, a park close to the city of Johannesburg (South Africa). I also use it as background image in all the renders of scenes at Emma's house. You can see it in any scene that has a window or an open door (for example, Chapter 15 Page 10 - see attachment). In fact, this is the best way of using an HDRI. If you use an HDRI as background on its own (as it is done in the poll's renders), then the characters look like they are floating over the ground.
