I added a depth of field shader to Rivers, an effect I’ve wanted for a long time, since I really love how it looks in miniature / close-up photography. Here’s a test run with some blocks:

and applied to the usual scenery it lends a hazy atmosphere:

The technique records distance-to-camera values for each pixel (smuggle them in the alpha channel) and then interpolates between a sharp version of the scene and a blurred one as outlined in this nVidia paper and this post.

I have some prints in the upcoming show at APW Gallery in NYC. It runs June 5 – 29, with an opening reception June 5 from 6 – 8pm. Stop by if you’re in the neighborhood. (I won’t be ;)

Links on mathematically & artistically modeling cities! Mostly videos!

World Builder – a great short film with dreamy immersive interface ideas

The making of Telematics City. Also:

• MxR Architecture, a tangible augmented reality interface
• Pixel City, procedurally generated nighttime cityscape
• TED talk on fractal patterns in African villages
• NY Times on how cities are like organisms mathematically