Elyria & Swansea Neighborhood Plan (Denver Community Planning & Development, 2015)
A step by step in creating a street-level photo-realistic image series. This process helps illustrate potential urban design and economic development opportunities, such as improved pedestrian realms or transit-oriented development.
The finished vignette. These types of images play a powerful role in assisting stakeholders and the general public in visualizing what may be possible.
The starting point consists of a base photo showing existing conditions. In this case the image was obtained using Google Map's Street View function and a high-resolution screen capture.
Initial changes involve removing content that may reduce the effectiveness of the final vignette. General streetscape conditions such as paving, curbs, and tree parks may be adjusted.
One concept explored was the use of a vertical hanging garden or "green wall" to hide the large expanse of concrete of the light industrial wall opposite the residential space.
Street trees, shrubs and shadow details are added.
Additional enhancements include benches, street lamps, and markings.
And to finish the scene, people. As this Photoshop workspace screenshot exhibits, layer management is key.
