Beachy Shoot
This is another one of my tutorials for Picture Perfect (a few months ago).
I'm obsessed with beaches, so this is just one way I usually set up a shot.
Beachy Photo Shoot
Go Shopping for Beach Themed Stuff
Here's a few interesting links. Look for Beachy plants and beach related things like surf boards, rocks, seaweed and umbrellas. Overall, look for Quality downloads. Things that look well made and won't take from your picture.
Wood for Sims
Mod The Sims 2
Sand
Check out the booty to get free items
~*These are just examples, Look on other websites too if you need to. TSR/Simcredible/Black Pearl etc*~
Once you have everything you need load up your game. If your current neighbourhood doesn't have water or beach access create a new hood. You don't have to re-create a completely new neighbourhood, just create an ADD ON neighborhood (like a business district or a downtown) and make sure it has access to water and you can place Beach lots on it.
You can add an already created Beach lot (one you downloaded) or a fresh start. I'm going to be working with a fresh start.
Alright, before we enter the lot we have a few things to do in the neighbourhood mode.
This was a lot I did for a contest shoot. You notice how there is clutter all around it, both sides, all angles. (Rocks/Trees etc)
Well this will come in handy so we don't have empty skies in our picture and it looks more realistic.
So Clutter away. Make sure you get lots in the water. Some neighbourhood objects can be placed directly in the lots while others can not.
Next we go in game to see the affect.
This is one view
And this is another view
(Make sure you have enabled Neighbours and Neighbourhood objects)
Try looking in your GRAPHICS settings or your PICTURE settings if you don't know where to enable them. It's pretty straight forward.
Okay next we're gonna want to decorate and shape the beach. We want the affect that it's not just a straight beach but there are piles of sand here and there. So with the leveling terrain tool you kinda go around raising the land to your liking.
Next we want to add some sandyy texture to our raised land. *Check out the sand you downloaded and see if they fit*
My selection is poor at the moment. . .
So I'm just going to use Maxis... Take your time and fill it in. If you did find a texture you like, you'll have to go over the maxis default texture, so it doesn't look off.
Once that's finished I notice that my sand is a little sharp, so I'll just smooth it out.
Alright now I want to find a workable angle. I don't want to decorate the whole beach.... you can if you want too... but because I'm lazy and I'm only taking this one shot I will find a frame, save it and then decorate that frame to my liking.
Remember from the cheats section, Ctrl and # means saving a frame.
So I'm going to save this frame on 5
Time to Clutter and Decorate!
Put in the cheats moveobjects on and snapobjectstogrid false
Place a bunch of trees
Place some bushes.... perhaps you want a path way.
Remember you don't have to stay in this frame when your trying to decorate. Go outside the frame, rotate and do whatever you want. However always go BACK to the frame to see how it's looking.
I want some trees in the distance. So I will scroll all the way out...
And place some by the rocks.
Lets go back to the frame and see how it's looking
Meh... I like it.
SooooOo I'm going to add some finishing touches and then my scene is complete!
Time to get the model in there.
Remember all the tips from the Headshot Tutorial. (Expressions, Look at me and Angles)
Anyways, dudes hand looks a bit like it's floating so I figure I should put an object beside him to make it seem like there's a purpose to it.
Beer?
Yeah I guess that will do for this example.
Alright, I got that shot but I like to always go and find something else.
I decided to do a standing up pose. (Neutral Expression- Bon voyage Box, East, Ninja look around)
Play with angles other than your direct frame. You can go outside of that, as long as it works.
Finished.
Final Tips
Experiment with the animation and pose boxes. (Falling animations are useful)
Take TONS of pictures (more than you need). Don't stop until your 100% sure that's the picture you want to use.
Emotion Overlays
Slowmotion cheat helps when trying to capture a certain pose from an animation box.
Use Quality Clutter Downloads