9. Photography & Art Direction
Photography & Art Direction
Cinematic, painterly visuals with atmospheric depth-every image carries mood and narrative weight
Photography Style Characteristics
- •Soft vignette
- •Warm highlights, cool shadows
- •Jewel-tone saturation
- •Painterly texture overlay
- •Shallow depth of field
Dark Fantasy Atmosphere
Ready for asset replacement
Cinematic Render
Ready for asset replacement
Color Grading
Grading Approach
- Desaturated Midtones: Pull back color saturation for a timeless, serious aesthetic
- Warm Highlights: Subtle amber/gold tones in highlights reinforce Elder Gold
- Cool Shadows: Blue undertones in shadows add depth and mystery
- High Contrast: Bold blacks and strategic highlights create drama
- Vignetting: Gentle edge darkening draws focus to subjects
Graded Photography Example
Ready for asset replacement
Before Grading
Ready for asset replacement
After Grading
Ready for asset replacement
Depth of Field
Shallow Depth of Field
Ready for asset replacement
Shallow DOF isolates subjects and creates cinematic bokeh
Deep Depth of Field
Ready for asset replacement
Deep DOF reveals environmental context and world-building
Strategic Focus
Shallow DOF (f/1.4 - f/2.8)
- • Character portraits and hero shots
- • Product close-ups and details
- • Dramatic, emotional moments
- • Isolating key game components
Deep DOF (f/8 - f/16)
- • Gameplay scenarios and setups
- • Environmental and world-building shots
- • Group portraits of multiple generals
- • Landscape and establishing imagery
Product Photography
Showcase game components with precision and artistry. Every card, token, and box deserves to look epic.
Game Box Photography
Ready for asset replacement
Clean, dramatic box shots
Card Detail Photography
Ready for asset replacement
Card art and quality showcase
Component Close-ups
Ready for asset replacement
Tokens, miniatures, tactile details
Product Shot Specifications
Lighting
- • Three-point lighting setup
- • Soft key light with hard rim
- • Dramatic shadows for depth
- • Avoid flat, catalog-style lighting
Background
- • Obsidian or Azure Night solid
- • Textured dark surfaces
- • Subtle environmental props
- • Never pure white backgrounds
Composition
- • Rule of thirds placement
- • Strategic negative space
- • Multiple angle variations
- • 45° hero angle preferred
Lifestyle Photography
Capture authentic moments of gameplay, community, and the strategic experience in action.
Gameplay in Progress
Ready for asset replacement
Players engaged in strategic gameplay
Strategic Moment
Ready for asset replacement
Hands positioning pieces, contemplation
Community & Events
Ready for asset replacement
Tournaments, gatherings, shared experiences
Atmospheric Setup
Ready for asset replacement
Environmental context and mood-setting
Lifestyle Shooting Guidelines
Capture Authentic Moments
- • Real gameplay, not staged poses
- • Genuine reactions and emotions
- • Natural lighting when possible (golden hour, moody interiors)
- • Show diversity in players and settings
Avoid These Pitfalls
- • Overly bright, cheerful atmospheres
- • Stock photo aesthetic or forced smiles
- • Modern tech or anachronistic elements
- • Cluttered backgrounds that distract
Technical Specifications
Resolution
- Web: 2000px wide minimum, 72-96 DPI
- Print: 300 DPI minimum at final size
- Social: Platform-specific (1080x1080, 1200x628, etc.)
File Formats
- RAW: Always shoot in RAW for maximum flexibility
- Working: TIFF or PSD with layers
- Delivery: High-quality JPEG or PNG
Color Space
- Digital: sRGB for web and screens
- Print: Adobe RGB or CMYK as specified
- Consistency: Calibrated monitors essential