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'Halotography': What you wanted next-gen Halo to look like photo

I think we're all kind of over the argument as to whether or not Halo 3 looked more like Halo 2.5. But after checking out these Halo photo compositions by photographer Joshua Reppenhagen, it's hard for me not to wish that Bungie's game looked a bit more like this.

Joshua used a combination of Halo 3 and Photoshop CS to give some of these images a more photorealistic look, with some impressive results. "I think this gives a much needed breath of fresh air to Halo," he writes to us. Anyone agree?

You can check out the full "Halotography" set of 47 images at Joshua's Flickr page.
 


Continue: More Halo stories





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57 comments | showing # 1 to 50

liquidninja's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 13:56
liquidninja
It'd be awesome if Halo3 looked like that. Mmmmmmm photorealism <slobbers>.
B-Radicate's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:02
B-Radicate
This makes me wish they'd get their act together and make a damn Halo movie more than anything else.
Antlerbot's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:02
Antlerbot
Good stuff...but it really doesn't look that much different from halo 3 as it is now. Basically...I see Halo 3 + blur + higher contrast. Woo.
Clockwork's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:04
Clockwork
A blur effect would've been great in Halo 3.
deiga-the-semivaliant's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:08
deiga-the-semivaliant
I would have liked the higher contrast.
Nick Chester's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:09
Nick Chester
@ Antlerbot:

It's subtle, but I think it's very effective.
RAB's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:09
RAB
i'm not usually much of a graffix fiend, but some of those are fucking incrediible
GoS-CPT-Stewart's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:11
GoS-CPT-Stewart
A lot of times people complain about the lack of color in games these days, but I sort of wish that the colors in Halo 3 had been toned down a bit, sort of how we see it in these shots. A little bit darker tone would have been awesome for the game.
tsunamikitsune's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:12
tsunamikitsune
I never really thought Halo 3 looked too bad graphics-wise, but that was on my crappy SDTV. Playing it on VGA cable a few days ago really sucked with how crappy it looked.
nicojay's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:15
nicojay
Hands up all those who think photorealistic graphics make a game more enjoyable than if it had simple, clear, crisp graphics that enable one to see what is happening.
Barring the game genres that intentionally graphically befuddle one. Space giraffe couldn't be more enjoyable?
geekjutsu's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:21
geekjutsu
Amazing what a big difference a few changes make.
vexed alex's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:22
vexed alex
These look great, but the gray just doesn't sit well with me. I don't know about you guys, but when I walk outside I see colors. The sky's blue, not brown.

There's no doubt that Halo's visuals let me down, though. They didn't look bad, but they weren't what I expected from the 360's biggest game.
Dexter345's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:22
Dexter345
So wash out the colors and it looks better? I disagree.
monosylabik's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:31
monosylabik
thats the thing i like about halo the actual bright colors they use. i hate this washed out look so many games have nowadays, its so demure and dull.
d0x's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:33
d0x
True Halo 3 isnt mind blowing but calling it Halo 2.5 is extreme. If you put them side by side the difference is HUGE. Also there is just so much going all in the map at any given time and the maps are quite large with no loads. Anyone notice the lighting? Its really some of the best around. At the end of the day it could have looked better but im sure for that to happen Bungie would have needed to break up the levels of put bigger hidden loads in. I prefer the seamless experience and the highly tuned gameplay.
dephect's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:41
dephect
I guess I have to be the downer here and say something like..
I dont see any talent to the photo touches. It looks like he pretty much clicked the effects tab and picked a couple at random.
SDogg554's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:44
SDogg554
they look like real life action figures. big deal.
Cheeburga's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:49
Cheeburga
Awesome.
Orionsaint's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 14:57
Orionsaint
I think in making Halo 3. Bungie was worried about straying too far from what Halo was and turning off Halo fans. So they held back.
Novakaine's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 15:09
Novakaine
@ vexed alex: Don't you know? Bright, lively colors are for kiddies and casuals--hardcore gamers prefer dark, mature colors.
animateria's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 15:15
animateria
Too blurry.

It would be unplayable with all those blur effects.

I like the lively colors of Halo 3 better thank you very much.
Teta's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 15:16
Teta
Yeah i think washing the colors make things look more realistic. Why? Because every time i see those guys in those suits i can only think of heat. And heat washes out colours.
Amazing "photos" i must say.
Timmeh's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 15:20
Timmeh
I dunno, some kinda look okay but it's nothing special and that blur looks awful in the photo up there. It looks like some kind of failed depth of field effect or... well, I'm not sure what the desired effect was but it doesn't work.

Sorry but these pictures mostly look like something anyone comfortable in the basics of PS could do in 30 mins.
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 16:04
Wedge
Ummm, this is terrible stuff. The attempt at doing DoF with the blur is lazy and horribly wrong. And the "realistic" washed out look makes the game indistinguishable from any other game out there, honestly.
JackLeroy's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 16:33
JackLeroy
Halo 3 looks fantastic, the lighting is some of the best I've seen this gen.

Honestly, the marine grunts look like crap, but everything else is great. You seriously need you eyes checked if you think it's only vaguely improved.

There's a difference between a similar art style and graphic quality people.
Xbudz's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 17:39
Xbudz
Hey all! I've seen this technique before, it is used to make miniature models look real.

Here's a link for instructions on how to do it yourself:

http://www.recedinghairline.co.uk/tutorials/fakemodel/

Personally, I dont think it made Halo 3 look any better, just different. But this technique when used on a small scale toy city or something like that- it really improves the overall look. Giving it a more realistic feel.

Have fun!
Sam Spectre's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 18:15
Sam Spectre
Psh. He just blurred some parts and changed the contrast. Doesn't impress me much, although it is an improvement.

I have to say, I'm also one who wasn't overly impressed with the graphics.
Ronsauce's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 18:16
Ronsauce
I thought Halo 3 was one of the best looking games so far this generation. Sometimes parts of it looks kind of iffy, but there are some truly spectacular areas and effects.

These pics don't do much for me. The blur would have been good as a decent depth of field effect, but it seems kind of applied all willy-nilly in these shots.
fluorescent_grey's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 18:29
fluorescent_grey
meh pics imo
i enjoyed Halo 3's graphics
adultswim810's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 18:39
adultswim810
overdose of depth of field+random blurring=good now!?
adultswim810's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 18:41
adultswim810
and after looking at all of them my eyes hurt now...
Rob165x's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 19:01
Rob165x
When I first saw the water among the cool lighting in Halo3 I fell in love. It has good graphics; people who say it ain't an improvement are only hating on the franchise. The bright colors is part of the universe, and making it look like Resident Evil might not work. This reminds me of some idiots who told me that Resident Evil(1)'s Remake on Gamecube looked exactly like its PS1 counterpart. LMFAO, I hate dicks...check it out...
http://www.rehorror.net/thirdeye06/m_c_g.php
pisses me off when people still argue this with me!
kawitchate's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 19:25
kawitchate
so we're trading the bright and colorful Halo for photo-realistic browns and grays? i thought all of us here HATED how all next-gen games are browns and grays?!?

Halo 3 may look like Halo 2 in a way, but that's what makes it HALO. hell, look at the new Gears 2 shots and tell me that doesn't look EXACTLY like the original. they're both sequels. they should look like the ones that came before it... ESPECIALLY games that stick with more color over browns and grays.
Aziel13's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 19:30
Aziel13
Dizamn <3
halokid's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 20:18
halokid
MaD Cool
Churchhills Dog's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 21:01
Churchhills Dog
I appreciate the skill that went into moddifying these screenshots i don't think I'd care for the game to look like that. there are already too many shooters that are either out or on their way that sport the monochromatic "realism" look. I like colors. Bright, rich colors.
runchild's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2008 23:55
runchild
I liked 'em. The blur affects where somewhat poorly used in some places, but the concept is quite nice: COD4 and Assassin's Creed have shown that it can work quite well.

As for the blue sky debate: i don't think washed out colors are bad. It's just different. i still think Gears of War is visually stunning despite the semi-monochrome pallete. It wouldn't look...right without it. Some games can benefit from it, while others wouldn't. There's room for both styles. And i don't think we've fully explored semi-monochromism. The upcoming games Saboteur and Mirrors Edge both use it combined with some bright colors to create a very interesting effect.
Neonie's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/27/2008 01:56
Neonie
Antlerbot really hit the nail on the head with this one. They really did not do much to most of the pictures besides add a blur effect.
Boolean's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/27/2008 03:51
Boolean
I'm not seeing it. All I see is a different color MC and some really oddly placed blur (why just blur the bottom half?). Not only are these bad photoshops, I fail to see how this makes Halo look any better at all. In fact some of those I can't tell what he did.
Drunken Haze's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/27/2008 05:17
Drunken Haze
What i wanted from halo 3 was for it to feel like that advert they had with prelude no. 15 in the background. That advert actually achieved the epic feel, final fight, strugle of humanity thing that halo attempts. And chopin > halo music every time.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/27/2008 10:05
Holyetheline
Pictures look good! Wish Halo 3 looked that good.
Macca's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/27/2008 10:08
Macca
@Reaprar, go watch the trailer, then go play the third mission. You can tell the trailer was done in the game engine.
Foe's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/27/2008 10:24
Foe
I dunno about those pictures, the extream depth of field just makes them look like miniatures not better in my opinion. And I'm also not sure I agree that making things browner equals better. Anyone play Resistance? Case closed.
Noah's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/27/2008 10:51
Noah
Why are they wearing blurry pants?
nicojay's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/27/2008 12:04
nicojay
To hide the stains.
Icarus One's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/27/2008 13:07
Icarus One
Depth of field always adds to the photorealism of an image, and it was one of the visual effects Halo 3 was sorely lacking. They tried to do it, but it needed more finesse.
Dan CiTi's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/27/2008 13:21
Dan CiTi
Halo 3 looks a lot better than Halo 2.
Drop of Flame's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/27/2008 17:24
Drop of Flame
Halo 3 does look like these shots. This guy just tried to go for a depth of field effect, which was really hit-or-miss.
Jon Bloodspray's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/27/2008 20:16
Jon Bloodspray
So Halo3 should have looked like CoD4? Yeah these pics are cool tho... I guess.
Eschatos's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/28/2008 17:30
Eschatos
I don't see any improvement. All he did was slightly blur most of the picture. It looks a lot worse than originally.
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