How does attempting to model a building compare to simply viewing one through photographs or maps?
Does the process of photogrammetry encourage close looking and attention to details you might otherwise have ignored?
When it comes to modeling an image, there are so many aspects to consider. Personally, it provided me with a deeper appreciation for the figure. Modelling made me realize how many things need to be considered. First, the reference image needs to be pretty decent. The picture needs to be taken at an angel that’s suitable. Also, the lighting needs to be good so that shadows can be dealt with. There are so many little details that modeling makes you think about. Sometimes, they can go unnoticed and if they do, it can definitely alter the model. For example, I looked at things like the water dripping, what form the water took in the basin, certain corners on basin itself Modeling makes you understand how intricate and in depth people went to create such an item! This process obviously can’t fully replicate the effort that went into the physical washbasin, but this can provide some understanding as to what the architects/builders had to think about. (I answered these two questions in one paragraph).
Here is an Interactive View of Washbasin.
Here is my Map Layer of Tsukubai Washbasin.
Regarding your point about coming to appreciate the structure more, i found myself in a similar position. I had visited the garden once before but spending time there to observe the surroundings and take pictures of scenery and my selected section, I became more aware of details and smaller intricacies. You definitely seemed to have had a good system with capturing your Tsukubai Washbasin, since your system of photo capture and criteria with angles and lighting were very nice.
I really like how you are trying to recreate the object to understand the project from the architect’s perspective. I think 3d models, in general, may better illustrate the original setting than photographs. Additionally, for people who have never been to the Japanese Garden, it is important for them to notice how objects can be shown in real life. Those 3d models may also encourage more people to understand the artwork.