In its simplest form an architectural photomontage is the compositing of a 3d model into a photograph. This type of image is often used for planning applications, due to its photorealistic appearance and the ability to present a before and after image to those concerned with the impact of the design proposal on the surrounding context.

The process involves photography of the proposed site, which can be undertaken by HK. A 3d model is then created for the proposed design and camera matched into the photograph. The proposed materials are then added to the 3d model and the lighting is setup to match the lighting recorded in the photograph. A rendered image is produced from the 3d model and composited into the photograph, and finally postproduction will include slight colour correction to help further blend the rendered image into the photograph and if required the addition of people.

For more contentious projects that require a more accurate representation of the proposed building the photomontage image has been superseded by the verified view which uses survey data for the camera matching process, and as the name suggests it is verified at every stage of the process and detailed in a methodology document that is provided along with the final views.