Take Scenic Screenshots of Clouds, Shadows and Water Reflections

Virelia Shaders adds volumetric clouds, smooth shadows and clear water reflections. These features make great screenshots if you set the scene up well.

Setting up the shot

1. Pick a location with water. Lakes, rivers and oceans all show reflections. Calm, open water with a view of the sky or nearby trees works best.

2. Get the angle right. Stand near the shoreline and look across the surface instead of straight down. This shows off the reflections.

3. Include shadow casters. Trees, buildings and mobs all cast smooth shadows. Frame them so their shadows fall across open ground.

4. Leave room for the sky. Tilt the camera up so the volumetric clouds fill part of the frame.

5. Try different times of day. If cheats are enabled, use vanilla commands like /time set day or /time set noon and compare how the scene changes.

Capturing the image

1. Press F1 to hide the HUD and your hand.

2.

3. Press F2 to save the screenshot.

4. Find your images in the screenshots folder inside your Minecraft game directory.

5. Press F1 again to bring the HUD back.

You can also take a night shot with lanterns near the water. The soft bloom adds a glow to the scene.