The goal for the visual effects artist is photorealism, using the art of compositing layers of images to look coherent using the physics of light at the service of storytelling. It's critical that, in the end, the merged image must look like all elements have been shot at the same time with the same camera and lenses, under the same lights. Applying the physics of light in a photo-realistic environment may not always be artistically synthesised with simple formulas or fixed structures due to the complexity of light phenomena. However, understanding the journey a ray of light has undertaken from its source to get to the camera could lead to a more scientific analysis of the image composition process to replicate and emulate the qualities and features of light as the eye perceives it, interpreted by the lens of the camera. Perez proposes a Mind-Mapping Analysis Structure to translate the physics of light into mathematical operations through photography: from observation to transcription into a visual language. This aims to create an articulated system of observation and reproduction to guide artists in their craft.

Victor Perez is an award winner visual effects supervisor and film director. Former compositor and well known as one of the most important contributors to the NUKE compositing community around the world. In order to study all factors that influence our perception of light it is required to structure a strategy of analysis of light by tracking the events that condition the appearance of the rays of light of the observed pixels from the light source to the camera sensor or film. This mind map develops organised architecture of thought and a procedure which is essential for such a complex phenomena, so artists focus their attention more on the "why" than as merely on the "what".

This conference feature a few hands-on examples and demonstrations, live, showing the methodology in action.