Last Updated on June 1, 2024 by Jhonni Jets
Photography has long been an artistic passion for many, allowing creatives to visually capture memories, landscapes, portraits and more. However, not everyone has easy access to real-world locations or models. That’s where photography games come in – they provide a fun, virtual world for would-be photographers to hone their skills. This article explores 10 of the best photography games available that allow for virtual photo capturing across different settings.
1. Horizon Chase – World Tour
Horizon Chase – World Tour brings retro arcade racing gameplay together with a virtual photography mechanic. Players compete in classic open-world touring car races across colorful international locations. What makes this game great for photographers is the optional photography mode. Here, you can freely explore each open environment, stopping to snap scenic landscape photos using an in-game camera. Photos can then be shared online. The vibrant hand-drawn visuals across varied cities, beaches and mountain roads provide endless picturesque compositions to capture. It’s a fun way to virtually visit new places through your camera lens.
2. Pikmin 3 Deluxe
Nintendo’s Pikmin series blends gentle strategy gameplay with beautiful landscape design. Pikmin 3 Deluxe on Switch takes the photography mechanic from Pikmin 3 and expands it. Players control tiny plant-like Pikmin creatures to overcome puzzles and solve problems across colorful alien worlds. What photographers will love is the robust camera options. You can freely position and zoom the camera anywhere, adjusting aperture, focus and more. Snap vibrant landscape shots, close-ups of Pikmin or architecture details. Photos can then be shared online. The game’s charming watercolor worlds are a virtual photographer’s dream to explore and capture.
3. Journey
Journey is a minimalist yet emotionally powerful adventure game praised for its visuals and music. Players explore sweeping desert environments as a robed figure, slowly unveiling more of the mysterious landscape. What makes Journey such a photography gem is how it encourages visual discovery. There’s no HUD or markers – you simply explore freely, discovering new vistas around every dune. The camera zooms right out, letting you frame stunning wide-angle landscape shots. Snap epic silhouettes against burning orange skies or capture intimate moments amongst ruins. Journey’s wordless storytelling told through landscape invites photographers to slow down and truly see the virtual world.
4. ABZÛ
ABZÛ is a visually dazzling underwater exploration game developed by the makers of Journey. Players guide a diver across the ocean, revealing coral reefs, shipwrecks and alien oceanside civilizations. The game’s photography mode lets you freely position and zoom the camera anywhere underwater. Capture schools of colorful fish darting past reefs. Snap close-ups of intricate coral details or vast vistas across unfurling oceans. Given the game’s aquarium-like water effects and day/night cycles, there are endless captivating compositions to find. And to truly showcase your best shots, photos can be uploaded in full 4K resolution. ABZÛ lets photography enthusiasts virtually dive into a living ocean full of beauty just waiting to capture.
5. VALORANT
While VALORANT is mainly enjoyed for its competitive 5v5 tactical shooter gameplay, it also has a robust photo mode for capturing scenic in-game locations. Players have complete camera control to freely position, zoom and pan around maps – everything from intimate windowviews to epic longshots spanning whole maps. Since the maps are artistically rendered, there are beautiful architectural and landscape details everywhere just waiting to capture. Snap striking character poses against map backdrops too. You can also adjust filters, depth of field and more.VALORANT offers skilled photographers varied compelling compositions across maps from serene gardens to futuristic facilities – all with sharable high-quality shots.
6. FIFA 22
While mainly a soccer gameplay experience, FIFA 22 also shines for its robust photo mode options. Not only can you capture snapshot moments from matches but you have full virtual photographer control across stunning recreations of real-world stadiums. Position the camera anywhere – from tight mid-play shots to swooping helicopter views taking in entire grounds. Snap iconic hero shots of star players amid LED light shows and crowds. Photographers can also pause the action to set up staged portraits, draping DOF effects over crowds or adjusting filters. FIFA 22 offers endless inspiration capturing the emotion, colors and scale of our beautiful game through a virtual lens.
7. Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 delivers an epic open-world arcade racing playground set across vibrant regions of Mexico. But it’s also a photo mode powerhouse. Players have full manual control over the replay camera to capture breathaking scenic shots across mountain roads, jungles and beaches. Freeze-frame in-race moments into striking snapshots. Adjust focus, exposure and filters to your taste. Forza also supports high-resolution output up to 8K – perfect for showing off mesmerizing virtual landscapes. With 10 biomes brimming with photo opportunities, it lets photography enthusiasts imagine endless road trips capturing gorgeous sunrises, vistas and detailed car shots along the way.
8. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is an atmospheric mystery adventure game praised for its surreal environments and narrative twists. What draws photographers is how the game seamlessly blends a robust photo mode into exploration and investigation. Snap compelling environmental details, portraits and landscape shots that reveal clues. Or simply capture the haunting beauty hidden in decrepit woods, crumbling mansions and fog-shrouded valleys. Photographers have manual control over composition, angle, depth of field and filters to craft moody screenshots. The ability to tell stories through screenshots makes Ethan Carter an engaging virtual photography journey.
9. Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 delivers a sprawling Wild West open world brimming with detail and atmosphere. But its sophisticated photomode makes it a must for any photographer. Freely move & zoom the camera anywhere outdoors or in fully interactive towns. Customize focal length, filters, depth of field and more for total creative control. RDR2 captures breathtaking frontier vistas, prairies and sunsets just begging to photograph. Frame intimate character portraits or capture stylized scenes mid-action. Rockstar’s vibrant world filled with light, color and tiny details gives endless inspiring compositions to discover off the beaten path. Few games let you truly lose yourself to capture a place and time through a virtual lens like RDR2.
10. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
While mainly a cozy life sim, Animal Crossing: New Horizons also shines as a cheerful virtual photography playground. Through the Nook Phone camera app, players have complete creative control over composition on their secluded island. Frame scenic landscape shots overlooking private beaches. Set up staged shots with villagers in various costumes or emotes. Using filters, stickers, borders and more, customize your photos into fun personal works of art. Then display your best shots in your home or share online. With endless seasonal and holiday events, various islands to visit and customizable designs, ACNH lets even casual photographers express their creativity through a highly shareable lens.
Conclusion
This article explored 10 top virtual photography games across various genres that provide skilled and amateur photographers alike engaging open worlds to capture. Whether seeking scenic vistas, architectural details, character portraits or more artistic compositions – these games deliver shareable high-quality shots. They offer welcoming entry points for anyone curious to hone their eye through a digital lens, gain inspiration from new landscapes or simply unwind virtually exploring beautiful virtual worlds. With ongoing support and updates, these photography-focused games provide enriching creative outlets and communities for photography enthusiasts today and beyond.