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The Complete Guide to Photorealism
for Visual Effects, Visualization and Games
Routledge/Focal, 2nd Edition 2026 (first published 2021)
This new edition offers the most up-to-date and comprehensive guide to accomplishing and perfecting a photorealistic look in digital content across visual effects, architectural and product visualization, and games.
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Light, surface, and optics — the real-world physics behind believable imagery
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3D and 2D techniques — physically-based rendering, texturing, procedural modeling, and compositing
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Generative AI — new in the second edition: controlling AI models to produce photoreal content
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Case studies and interviews with leading artists across VFX, visualization, and games
Reviews:
"In The Complete Guide to Photorealism, Eran Dinur gives us a practical approach to the subject matter, explaining how color and light are perceived by our eyes and lenses, and then giving us a thorough and engaging explanation of how reality can be mimicked digitally."
— Jimmy Calhoun, Chair of Computer Art, Computer Animation and Visual Effects, School of Visual Arts
"As photorealism pipelines have become standard across various industries, it is vital for any 3D artist to have a complete comprehension of what it takes to create a photoreal image from beginning to end. I believe this book will not only take you there but also inspire you to push the boundaries of emerging technologies."
— Jesse Flores, Look Development Artist
"A brilliant book for anyone in all aspects of filmmaking — a must buy."
— Adolf Dsouza, Cannes Gold-winning Colorist
filmmaker's guide
The Filmmaker's Guide to Visual Effects
The Art and Techniques of VFX for Directors, Producers, Editors, and Cinematographers
Routledge/Focal, 2nd Edition 2023 (first published 2017)
A practical, detailed guide to visual effects for non-VFX specialists working in film and television — an introduction to VFX from the filmmaker's perspective rather than the artist's.
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The full VFX arc — conceiving, designing, budgeting, planning, shooting, and reviewing, from pre-production through post
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Working with the VFX team — how directors, editors, DPs, and producers collaborate effectively with visual effects
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On set — using VFX as a narrative aid, reducing production costs, and solving problems on location
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Demystifying the process — a clear, jargon-free understanding of an often-misunderstood part of production
Reviews:
"You need to read this book if you are a filmmaker that needs a simple or complex visual effects shot; your film will be better, completed sooner, and cost less if you understand how to work with VFX."
— John McIntosh, former Chairman, Computer Art, Animation and Visual Effects, School of Visual Arts; Board of Directors, Visual Effects Society (VES)
"This book should be required reading for anyone working as a director, producer, DoP and many other roles, as well as film students. An extremely useful resource that I'm sure I will return to again and again."
— Liz Gill, Author of Running the Show
"An indispensable tool for filmmakers... the author makes the possibilities of VFX accessible to directors, producers, editors, cinematographers — anyone who wishes to know more about how to use its power to better tell their stories."
— Arthur Vincie, Writer/Director; Author of Preparing for Takeoff
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