photorealism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “photorealism” mean?
A style of art (painting, drawing, computer graphics) that is so meticulously detailed and accurate that it resembles a high-resolution photograph.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of art (painting, drawing, computer graphics) that is so meticulously detailed and accurate that it resembles a high-resolution photograph.
The quality or state of being visually indistinguishable from a photograph, often applied to computer-generated imagery (CGI), digital art, and certain forms of hyperrealistic sculpture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. The compound word is consistently spelled as one word.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. Slightly more associated with technical/digital art contexts in contemporary usage.
Frequency
Low-frequency in general discourse but standard within art, design, and computer graphics communities in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “photorealism” in a Sentence
photorealism in [ARTFORM/medium]photorealism of [the rendering/the painting]strive for/achieve photorealismVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing for design, rendering, and visualization services (e.g., 'We provide photorealism for architectural visualisations').
Academic
Common in art history, visual studies, computer science, and digital media papers discussing representation and simulation.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used when discussing exceptionally realistic video games, films, or art.
Technical
Core term in 3D computer graphics, rendering, digital art, and visual effects (VFX) to describe a target quality for imagery.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “photorealism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “photorealism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “photorealism”
- Misspelling as 'photo realism' or 'photo-realism' (though hyphenated form is sometimes seen, the solid form is standard).
- Using it to describe any realistic art, rather than the specific subset that mimics photography.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related and often used interchangeably. Some purists argue that hyperrealism often goes beyond mere photographic imitation to comment on or exaggerate reality, while photorealism strictly aims to replicate a photograph.
Yes. While originating in painting, the term is now extensively used for computer-generated imagery (CGI), digital art, and even some forms of sculpture that mimic photographic detail.
It is considered a late 20th-century movement, originating in the late 1960s and 1970s primarily in the United States as a reaction to abstract expressionism.
The main technical challenges involve accurately simulating the physics of light (global illumination, subsurface scattering), creating imperceptibly detailed textures, and avoiding the 'uncanny valley' in animations of humans and animals.
A style of art (painting, drawing, computer graphics) that is so meticulously detailed and accurate that it resembles a high-resolution photograph.
Photorealism is usually technical/academic in register.
Photorealism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfəʊ.təʊˈrɪə.lɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfoʊ.t̬oʊˈriː.ə.lɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PHOTO + REALISM. The art is as real-looking as a photo.
Conceptual Metaphor
ART IS A MIRROR / ART IS A PERFECT COPY.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'photorealism' LEAST likely to be used?