Michael ZepedaDesign Director
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Personal exploration / 2022

Cinematic Studies

Two-hour experiments in light, atmosphere, scale, and visual storytelling.

In 2022, I challenged myself to create cinematic images in Lumion 12, each in two hours or less. The exercises became a way to learn through making—exploring atmosphere, lighting, scale, storytelling, and composition.

Science fiction, film, photography, and cinematography became a testing ground beyond a client brief. What makes an image create emotion, curiosity, or a sense of story?

Created in Lumion 12. No generative AI used, as noted in the original portfolio.

A futuristic vehicle hovers over a rain-soaked desert landscape.
Spinner in the desert
A giant, softly illuminated creature rises beyond a pier in mist.
Water friend
Cattle float in a beam of green light above a lone figure and motorcycle.
A strange encounter
A figure stands in dark water facing a brilliant rectangular opening.
Threshold
A futuristic street glows with suspended rings and warm illuminated lettering.
City of light
A figure floats between dark structures above the curve of a planet.
Between worlds
A futuristic city canyon surrounds a flying vehicle and a giant illuminated eye.
Surveillance
A solitary figure walks toward a car beneath a dim streetlight.
Bad news
A figure climbs a wooded path beside a rust-colored cylindrical structure.
The path home
A small figure floats toward a glowing opening amid a field of fragments.
Into the light
A cylindrical industrial tower glows through a dark, smoky atmosphere.
Fumes
Image credits & source notes

Created in Lumion 12. No generative AI used, as noted in the original portfolio. Source: supplied portfolio, PDF pages 120–125. Image captions are descriptive labels for this website.

  • Water friend — Michael Zepeda, as presented in the supplied portfolio.
  • A strange encounter — Michael Zepeda, as presented in the supplied portfolio.
  • Threshold — Michael Zepeda, as presented in the supplied portfolio. Source filename identifies a reference to Kaiwan Shaban / Shadow Collection; confirm the final inspiration credit.
  • City of light — Michael Zepeda, as presented in the supplied portfolio. Source filename identifies a reference to Beeple; confirm the final inspiration credit.
  • Between worlds — Michael Zepeda, as presented in the supplied portfolio. Source filename identifies a reference to Stuart Lippincott; confirm the final inspiration credit.
  • Surveillance — Michael Zepeda, as presented in the supplied portfolio. Source filename identifies a reference to Max Hay / Surveillance; confirm the final inspiration credit.
  • Bad news — Michael Zepeda, as presented in the supplied portfolio.
  • The path home — Michael Zepeda, as presented in the supplied portfolio. Source filename identifies a reference to Tales from the Loop; confirm the final inspiration credit.
  • Spinner in the desert — Michael Zepeda, as presented in the supplied portfolio.
  • Into the light — Michael Zepeda, as presented in the supplied portfolio. Source filename identifies a reference to Stuart Lippincott; confirm the final inspiration credit.
  • Fumes — Michael Zepeda, as presented in the supplied portfolio. Source filename identifies a reference to Max Hay / Fumes; confirm the final inspiration credit.

Further explorations

Beyond the brief
A futuristic vehicle hovers over a rain-soaked desert landscape.

Cinematic Studies

Two-hour experiments in light, atmosphere, scale, and visual storytelling.

A marine animal swims beneath a rippled, sunlit surface.

Personal Photography

Observations of light, texture, atmosphere, and the quiet character of places.