5/20/2015 AvoidingRepeatingTrees| VisualizingArchitecture

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Avoiding Repeating Trees
by Alex Hogrefe | Feb 16, 2014 | Fundamentals | 5 Comments

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Adding trees to a perspective can be a daunting task, especially if there are a lot of them. Often what happens
is the same tree gets copied over and over again. Everyone does it. It saves a ton of time compared to
spending time cutting out several trees that are of the same species but all look a little different. The problem
is that copying the same tree creates an obvious computer generated look. That same branch sticking out
the side is in the same place all the way down the line. Its the first thing I notice when looking at an image and
I have trouble getting past it. There are several moves that I use that help remedy this problem quickly and
easily.
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Below is the initial image with the same tree copied 20 times. Since the trees are being Photoshopped in,
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there are no shadows and the lighting does not match the scene.
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SCALE CHANGE Night People perspective photography
The problem for me is not so much that the texture is the same, but more because the sizes and proportions

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are all the same. It is rare that trees planted next to each other are the same height and width. When they are Photoshop Portfolio presentation
proportionally identical, the eye quickly sees the relationships and senses something is not right. Therefore,
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the first thing I do is go through and stretch the trees to different heights and widths. While I am doing this, I
am also occasionally flipping the trees so that the same branches are not sticking out of the same side in every setup Site Plan Sketchup snow

tree. spreads Styles Text texture urban

Between flipping the trees and stretching the trees on the x and y axis, you can quickly generate many Water winter xray

slightly different looking trees. To transform, go to Edit>Transform>Scale. Flipping the tree is just as easy
by going to Edit>Transform>Flip Horizontal.

One last thing I do to help differentiate between the trees is occasionally erase specific branches. This again
helps to stop the eye from creating relationships from one tree to the next. Below, you can see the repetition
is not nearly as obvious after implementing these simple moves.

LIGHTING
A tree has shadows and highlights just like everything else in the scene. I often see people ignoring this fact
which leaves the trees looking flat and out of place in the scene. This is an easy fix by using the Dodge and
Burn tools.

The Dodge tool lightens the image. Starting with the Range set to Midtones, the strength set around 40%,
and a soft brush selected, highlight the edge of the tree that faces the sunlight.

Conversely, the Burn tool darkens the image. Again, set the Range to Midtones, the strength to around 40%,
and select a soft brush. Darken the parts of the tree that would be in shadow.

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The highlights and shadows really help to set the trees into the scene and respond to the environment. It also
gives trees a more volumetric feel.

GROUND PLANE SHADOW

A shadow needs to be generated on the ground. The workflow I use is very similar to how I add shadows to
people. The process is fast but creates great looking shadows.

1. The first step is to duplicate the tree onto its on layer. This can be done by selecting the tree layer, right
click on that layer, and select Duplicate. Next, this new layer needs to be rotated and transformed to match
the perspective of the ground. Choose Edit>Transform>Rotate to rotate the tree to match the direction of
the shadow. Then again go to Edit>Transform>Distort to adjust the tree to match the perspective of the
ground.

2. Turn the copied tree completely black by choosing Image>Adjust>Hue / Saturation. Move the Lightness
slider to the left to -100.

3. I also like to apply a slight blur by going to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur. I used a radius of 20 but it really
depends on the resolution of your image and personal preference.

4. With the shadow layer still selected, lower the opacity to match the tone of the rest of the shadows in the
image. In this case, I need to lower it to about 50%.

5. The final step is to further lower the opacity of the shadow edges so that there is a subtle gradient. As the
shadow gets further from the tree, the lighter it will get. I achieve this by selecting the Eraser tool, choose a
soft brush, and set the opacity to 15%. Then erase the edges of the shadow being careful to only erase enough

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to get a slight gradient in tone.

DESATURATE
When burning and dodging an image, the colors tend to get very saturated. I dont want the green color of the
trees to draw too much attention, so I need to remove some of the color. I merge the trees into one layer, go
to Image>Adjustments>Hue / Saturation, and lower the saturation by about 50%. I also lowered the opacity
of all of the trees to help blend them into the background.

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The main concept to take away from this post is the idea of building imperfection into the image so that the
eye doesnt see repetition from one tree to another. Simple moves like changing the height and proportions
go a long way in breaking this repetition.

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5Comments visualizingarchitecture
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Jointhediscussion

Gundie ayearago
Wealwayshavethisjokeabout"famousbirds".SomanystudentschoosetousePhotoshopbrush
torecreatebirdsintheirvisuals(mustadmit,Ihavedoneittoo).Butwhenflickingthroughthe
visualsbirdsbecomethatobviouselementwhichrepeatsineveryvisual.Notentirelythesameas
treesthough.

GreatarticleAlex,asIalways.Ilearnnewthingsfromyourblog.Thanks!
1 Reply Share

Meruj ayearago
ThankusomuchAlex.Ihopeu&#39llcontinuelikebefore.Ialwayslookforwardtohearfromyou.

allthebest,
Meruj
Reply Share

zernansuarez ayearago
thanksagainalex,ialwaysfollowyourtipsandtutorialandlookforwardtohearagainfromyou.:)
Reply Share

TowabMuhammadYusuf ayearago
Lovethisarticle
Reply Share

GenesisStudio ayearago
GreatpostAlex!

Weareinthesamebusinessandweverymuchappreciateawesometipsliketheseones!

Keepupthegoodwork:)
Reply Share

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AvatarDaveMasonHiAlex,Justwonderingifyou Avatarcris_csnnicework!!thankyouverymuch!
werelookingintodoinganotherroundof youreamazing!:D
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AvatarSofia Heyitisveryraretoseesuch AvatarCharlesCollindamdude,youhavetalent!

generosityandsharingconcerningthesetype dontknowhowyoulearnallthatbut...seems
oftoolsandskills.Iusuallynever tohavealotofworkbehindthat!really

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