BONUS

GAME PHOTOGRAPHY

PART 1 - PRE PRODUCTION

For this activity, I selected Immortals Fenyx Rising on the Nintendo Switch since I have always been interested in Greek mythology, and this game is all about assisting the gods against evil. What initially attracted me was the huge statues of gods such as Aphrodite (Goddess of Love), Hermes (Messenger of the Gods), Hephaistos (God of the Forge), Athena (Goddess of Wisdom), and Ares (God of War), amidst colorful and beautiful scenery.

I planned to focus on wide 16:9 shots that highlight how big the statues were and to them feel powerful. Depending on the angle I'm going for, some photos feel heroic while others have a more moody tone.

Thankfully, the game has a built-in photo mode with controls for lighting, exposure, and filters, though I chose not to use filters to keep the shots looking natural. The Nintendo Switch also lets you capture screenshots easily.

The biggest challenges I know I would face were technical: the Nintendo Switch may struggle to capture the game’s massive scale, especially when zooming out. Image quality may drop or details get lost. So, I'll have to take a shot from a specific angle that covers the statues.

PART 2 - PHOTOSET

Goddess of Love

I picked this angle to highlight her open hand and calm expression, it feels like love offering you a safe space, not demanding anything, just there for you.

Messenger of the Gods

I chose this angle to make it feel like you're right up there with the gods, like you're part of something way bigger than yourself. The giant flame just adds to that epic vibe.

God of the Forge

This low-angle shot emphasizes his sheer mass and strength, perfect for a forge god. The hammer slung across his back, and the chiseled stone body, it all screams craftsmanship and elemental might.

Goddess of Wisdom

I framed her with the owl (the traditional symbol of wisdom) in the center, as if she's holding it up for the viewer to see. The gentle light in back of the hand creates a sense of enlightenment, as if divine understanding emanates outward.

God of War

Let's be honest, this just looks awesome. The lighting, the position, the composition all add up to a shot that looks like it's directly out of a myth or a video game cutscene.

PART 3: SELF - REFLECTION

This experience was truly enjoyable. Playing Immortals Fenyx Rising with the purpose of taking photos felt innovative and rejuvenating. I've already played the game, but this time I was looking at things differently, considering framing, lighting, and emotion.

Although the Nintendo Switch is technically limited, the photo mode was actually quite useful. Adjustments such as lighting and exposure were possible, but I didn't use filters so the pictures would be more realistic. The most difficult aspect was coping with the Switch's low resolution while zoomed out and the stiff movement controls while attempting to position my character on massive statues. I found myself falling a great deal and being forced to fast travel over and over again.

Ultimately, I had a different view of how virtual photography can be a source of creativity as well as a tool to teach one the fundamentals of real-world photography. And, I got to explore one of my favorite game worlds in a completely new way.

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