3D rendering and photography deliver a dynamic impact on the architectural project with their stunning visuals.
To take your business up a notch, you need a medium to communicate your vision to the stakeholders and make them understand too.
The more interactively, engagingly and clearly ideas are shared, more effective it turns out to be.
But, are 3D rendering and photography – the same thing?
Which is the best option amongst the two?
Which is cheaper? Photography or Rendering service?
When one should use photography and in which scenario 3D rendering works?
Keep reading to unfold answers to all your major concerns and queries regarding 3d rendering and photography.
Let’s explore.
What is photography?
Photography is an incredible tool that helps in capturing a still-frame or an image with the help of a digital camera or other similar devices.
It’s a versatile form of stand-alone artwork that helps you showcase your already built building/property in the best possible way and score high on the marketing efforts.
How photography is used in Demonstration and Marketing?
Visual demonstrations and representations are vital for the success of every architectural project.
Photographs give the clients and other stakeholders exact representation of the architect’s vision and builder’s objective from the already built structure.
Photographs facilitate clear and concise communication through visual works.
Indeed, it’s a budget-friendly way to produce marketing materials that can be used on advertisements, content and even serve as the foundation for the artwork.
What are the benefits of using photography for your architectural project?
- Flexibility and Versatility
The building may not look same during sunset or sunrise or different time of the year.
In fact, every room may convey a different story and mood when watched from different angle.
It’s the photography that helps you play with different camera angles and present the space in all its realistic glory.
- Impeccable Finishing
After the building construction gets completed, photography is an excellent way that helps you capture the best of your project from perfect angles, lighting you desire and create HD images that help you in marketing.
- Authentic/trustable
Photographs are still considered as one of the most authentic and trustable by the customers as they are clicked for the project that exists.
What is 3D Architectural rendering?
3D architectural rendering is a process of generating a 3D/2D image of the proposed design of the project before it is actually built.
Renders are like hyper-realistic photographs that enable to see how the proposed project /building would look in future.
How 3D Rendering promotes Marketing and Architectural Demonstration?
3D renders are prepared using top-notch and highly-advanced software that deliver highly inspiring and engaging designs.
These 3D visualization materials are highly detailed, impactful and precise, covering every single inch of the space with accuracy.
Rendering helps in early detection of any problems/flaws that may arise during the course of construction.
This ultimately reduces the overall cost, saves resources and helps in timely completion of the project.
Why 3D renders are increasingly becoming popular for future Architectural Projects?
Unlimited Revisions
The entire preparation process is followed by using the software, that enable you to make quick revisions, strictly follow the timelines, detect flaws (if any) and can even adjust lighting as per the requirements.
The software gives the full control over the renders and type of design you want.
No Restrictions
A high-end software and a strong vision is required to create an impressive 3D render.
Be it construction, geography, material or lighting, create beautiful and professional renders that leave a significant impact on your client’s mind.
Boost marketing endeavors
As the 3D renders are the photorealistic images of the yet-to-be-built future, you can easily use the renders for marketing in the initial stages as well.
This will evoke interest of clients in your project and help you communicate better with all stakeholders.
Difference between Photography and 3D Rendering
The aim of both architectural rendering and architectural photography stands the same i.e. communicating the vision to the clients and enable best marketing turnovers.
Both may seem similar at first glance as the modern day renders are equally realistic as the photographs that even a professionally trained eye may fail to spot a difference.
It’s the method of generation that makes them distinct from each other. Let’s check the differences in detail.
| 3D architectural Rendering | Photography | |
| When it is used? | 3D renders generates photorealistic images of the proposed project before the construction kicks off or the project is in development stages. | Photography is done on the completed and finished project. |
| Output File | Renders are photo-realistic images and are completely digitally generated that depict the project’s design in detail. | These are HD photographs that are clicked using a camera or any other similar device.
They may or may not need any software. |
| Method | It’s a CGI (Computer Generated Imagery). Completely digital environment. | Photographs are clicked using high-resolution professional cameras or similar devices. |
| Revision | You can easily add or modify the existing elements. It offers unlimited revisions.
The angle, lighting, textures, materials and much more can be changed as per the requirement. |
Nothing can be changed once the photograph is finalized. |
| Time for completion | The renders are CGI. The time depends on a lot of factors such as software/hardware used, complexity of design, resolution demanded etc. | Though clicking a photograph is done in blink of an eye, multiple photoshoots may be required for the final portfolio as you need to set the right angle, lighting etc.
That may take from few hours to days. |
| Close to Reality | The renders are purely vision based and are designed as per the ideas shared by the designer. | The photographs enable you to capture authentic versions for space, seasons, lighting, materials etc. |
| Lighting and other environment factors | Everything can be simulated in the digital world. | The photographs can be clicked only in the real environment only. |
| Best used | In the pre-development stages of the project. Make the presentations remarkable. Marketing can be started even before the foundation stone gets laid. |
When the project is completed and structure is ready. |
| Precision | Highly precise visualization can be achieved using 3D rendering which is impossible to create using photography. | The precision and quality depends on the resolution of the camera. |
| High-rise buildings | Flythrough animations and renders for high-rise buildings can easily be generated using software that enable rendering from a bird’s eye. | For photography of high-rise buildings, the photographers need high resolution drone cameras or need to click pictures from an aircraft. |
Which is Cost effective – 3D Rendering or Photography?
Both rendering and photography are used by the companies for edifying their marketing endevours.
As the renders are built entirely in a digital space, the cost majorly involves charges payable to the 3D artists.
Also, going for photoshoot also involves a considerable amount of money to spend on the setting the camera, proper lighting, lenses etc and other photoshoot requirements.
On the other hand, the cost of renders depends on other factors such as complexity of design, resolution, angles covered, number of renders, hardware and software etc.
The revision cost can be controlled by sharing the perfect design brief to the 3D artist. Additionally, there are no outside factors involved in the cost of renders.
In the nutshell, there is no one-size-fit-all approach. The cost depends on the project itself, demands of the client and the work involved in its production.
Bottom Line: 3d Rendering Vs Photography
While photography helps in showcasing a completed project, 3D rendering helps visualizing a project that is still in the development stages.
Rendering offers complete flexibility and better project impact due to its ability to incorporate changes seamlessly in just a click that too in the real time.
It not only boosts the presentations and other marketing endeavors but also offers a creative freedom to give life to the designs that you envision.
How do you visualize your project?
