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50 Real-Life Photos That Look Like Screenshots Of A Video Game Or A Movie Set
CuriositiesAPR 16, 2021

50 Real-Life Photos That Look Like Screenshots Of A Video Game Or A Movie Set

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From Blade Runner to GTA V, part of what makes blockbuster movies and video games so immersive is the incredible visuals. Even though it's made up, the scenery looks so real, so palpable, it's as if you're almost there. Sometimes, however, you are. If only for a moment.
Our world is so diverse that there are places where you can actually feel like you're in a different galaxy or even a 3D render. The surroundings, the lights, and a few random coincidences can make it look almost identical to your favorite productions.
So, to give you a well-deserved five-minute break, Bored Panda has decided to take you to these locations and we've collected the best photos that were taken there. Enjoy.

#1 These Clouds Over This Abandoned House Look Like They’re Out Of Courage The Cowardly Dog

These Clouds Over This Abandoned House Look Like They’re Out Of Courage The Cowardly Dog
283points

#2 There Is A House Near Me That Looks Like It’s Out Of A Fairytale

There Is A House Near Me That Looks Like It’s Out Of A Fairytale
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To learn more about what goes into producing such images, Bored Panda got in contact with Feed-the-good-wolf, the person behind the dreamlike photo of an altar inside an underground church which had over 24K upvotes on Reddit. "I took it with an iPhone 4 at the salt mines in Poland," they said.

"There was an eerie medieval vibe in the church but it was very surreal too. It's a mixture of the textures and lighting as well as the fact that there were so many right angles that make the pic look like a video game," Feed-the-good-wolf explained. "This altar is entirely carved out of salt."

#3 Amazing Shot Taken At The Right Time And In The Right Place. These Antennas On Top Of The San Francisco Sutro Tower Look Like A Ghost Ship

Amazing Shot Taken At The Right Time And In The Right Place. These Antennas On Top Of The San Francisco Sutro Tower Look Like A Ghost Ship
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270points

#4 The Emperor's Corridor In The Czech Republic Looks Like A Real Life Skyrim

The Emperor's Corridor In The Czech Republic Looks Like A Real Life Skyrim
242points

#5 This Forest With Trees Covered In Green Moss Right After All Of The Colorful Leaves Fell To The Ground In Basque Country

This Forest With Trees Covered In Green Moss Right After All Of The Colorful Leaves Fell To The Ground In Basque Country
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233points

We also looked at some tips online and learned that pretty much everyone can take cinematic photos.

To start, ask yourself what makes something look picturesque in the first place. Study your favorite movies. But don't just watch them, try to identify how you can interpret their essence visually.

You don't have to stick to one particular genre when looking for cinematic inspiration. Yes, you can learn a lot from watching action movies but there's also animation, documentary films... the list goes on. You can broaden your influences by researching lists of films online, such as IMDb's Top 50 Most Beautiful and Visually Stunning Movies.

#6 The Sun Hit This Freshly-Paved Tarmac Just Right And Made A Real-Life Rainbow Road Through Polarized Lenses

The Sun Hit This Freshly-Paved Tarmac Just Right And Made A Real-Life Rainbow Road Through Polarized Lenses
226points

#7 Volcanic Ash Cloud In Chile Looks Like A Giant Monster Summoned From The Underworld

Volcanic Ash Cloud In Chile Looks Like A Giant Monster Summoned From The Underworld
216points

#8 Oppstryn, Norway Looking Like A Dreamland

Oppstryn, Norway Looking Like A Dreamland
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If you find a movie you really like, write down everything you love about it. Observe how every shot is composed, and pay attention to how the lighting establishes the mood of each scene. Filmmaking and photography may be different platforms, but they share many rules. Subsequently, you can easily apply what you learn from watching movies to your photography.

Next, capture images with a prime lens. Movie cameras rarely use zoom lenses since a lot of cinematographers actually prefer using fixed prime lenses—they're a whole lot sharper than lenses with variable focal lengths. Plus, they also provide incredible bokeh that helps isolate the subject from the background.

Then, learn to shoot raw. JPEG is a type of file that you can readily use right out of the camera but having the ability to edit it broadens the scope of possibilities with the image. RAW files allow you to make significant changes to them without destroying their overall look.

#9 This Photo Of My Son Looks Like A Horror Movie Poster

This Photo Of My Son Looks Like A Horror Movie Poster
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200points

#10 This Looks Like A Screenshot From A Video Game But Is Actually A Real Altar From An Entire Church Carved Underground In A Salt Mine In Poland

This Looks Like A Screenshot From A Video Game But Is Actually A Real Altar From An Entire Church Carved Underground In A Salt Mine In Poland
183points

#11 This Old Town In Japan That Looks Like A Movie Set

This Old Town In Japan That Looks Like A Movie Set
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179points

Explore angles. Every element of an image influences how the audience feels when viewing your work, and this includes using angles to establish different moods. Just by changing your camera position, you can change how people perceive your photo as well. 

For example, the eye-level shot replicates how we usually see other people and helps us connect with the subject on a more intimate level.

You can also set the mood with lighting. The two main types of lighting you can begin with are soft lighting and hard lighting. Movies often use soft lighting to make scenes look dreamy and heavenly, and apply hard lighting to set a more dramatic tone.

#12 I Drove Into A Deep Winter Forest At Night, And It Looks Like In Some Stephen King Story

I Drove Into A Deep Winter Forest At Night, And It Looks Like In Some Stephen King Story
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178points

#13 Long Exposure Photo Of Drones Circling Mountains Makes Them Look Like Sci-Fi Landscapes

Long Exposure Photo Of Drones Circling Mountains Makes Them Look Like Sci-Fi Landscapes
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175points

#14 This Cemetery Fire From Yesterday Looks Like A Horror Movie's Climax

This Cemetery Fire From Yesterday Looks Like A Horror Movie's Climax
173points

#15 San Francisco Is Looking Like Blade Runner 2049

San Francisco Is Looking Like Blade Runner 2049
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167points

Lastly, get creative with color grading. It's a subtle enhancement that you can use to complete the movie look you are going for. This process is used to manipulate the tones and hues, emphasizing its overall mood. 

So you can slide the temperature to the yellow side if you want your photo to look and feel warmer and to the blue end if you want to evoke a colder response. Adjust the values of your hues, saturation, and luminance (HSL) until you achieve the color palette that you want.

Follow these steps and who knows, maybe your picture will end up in our next list!

#16 "Earth Pyramids" In South Tyrol, Northern Italy Looks Like An Alien Movie Set

"Earth Pyramids" In South Tyrol, Northern Italy Looks Like An Alien Movie Set
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#17 This Is What An Empty 787 Looks Like

This Is What An Empty 787 Looks Like
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#18 Space Needle In Seattle Over Clouds Looks Like The Cloud City From Star Wars

Space Needle In Seattle Over Clouds Looks Like The Cloud City From Star Wars
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163points

#19 These Lights On The Ground That Look Like The Start To A Video Game Quest

These Lights On The Ground That Look Like The Start To A Video Game Quest
162points

#20 Mont-Saint-Michel In France Looks Like The Disney Logo In Real Life

Mont-Saint-Michel In France Looks Like The Disney Logo In Real Life
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158points
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