This guide is all about making screenshots like this one

While working on my other guide, "Modding Monster Hunter Rise Safely", I came across some really simple to use and good looking armour mods. The author of mod for the great looking Sonic attire also provided some incredibly good looking screenshots. I kinda fell head over heels with what I saw and did not only start using more and more those visual mods but also went into "#GPoser-Mode" - a kind of fashion and screenshot hunting with Final Fantasy XIV, which has incredible tools for making awesome looking memories screenshots.

Monster Hunter Rise might be lacking a lot in that regards - but with a handful of simple tricks and some more, the results are astonishing! I hope you Fashion Hunters enjoy this guide and as always:

I love my avatar, since I made her based on real life me. But for this guide I am using Pahla, character design by the author of the Shapely Sonic Wear[www.nexusmods.com] mod Particulate Pommels.

You can find their preset here:
https://www.nexusmods.com/monsterhunterrise/images/31



If you get to like Pahla as a model as much as I do, make sure you leave a kudos on their nexusmods profile page[www.nexusmods.com].

While I see the modding which is needed to follow all steps in this guide, with the mods I am going to mention, is rather easy and safe to use, I still recommend you to make a backup of your save game. Regularly even, especially when you like to do more modding later on. Details about those topics and how to secure your save game you can find here:

https://test-steamproxy.haloskins.io/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2743342837
https://test-steamproxy.haloskins.io/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2791694098
https://test-steamproxy.haloskins.io/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2828650446

When it comes to photography, it is all about capturing the right lights.

Monster Hunter Rise is everything but friendly for GPosers, Fashion Hunters and screenshot enthusiasts. In fact, there are so very little places with such horrible requirements to get to the right angle, it is a miracle that this spot exists in the first place. Yes, there are some more, but none has the equal good quality as the Gathering Hub Prep area, where there is a strong direct lightning to highlight your character.



Lightning matters so much, and that mod author found the perfect spot. As it is reliable, since the lightning hardly ever changes - unlike with hunting maps in where the sun moves - and its the only place the lightning works as it works. Just getting to this spot alone gives you better character screenshots even without using any mod.

When taking a screenshot with the ingame camera tool, you will be provided with a marked JPG-image-file in your resolution which you can find in your game's directory. You can find them in

..\Steam\steamapps\common\MonsterHunterRise\ScreenShots

or

..\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\MonsterHunterRise\ScreenShots

depending on your Steam client's settings.

The screenshots you create with this method cannot be that easily uploaded via Steam for sharing via the Community Hub. But there are still two methods to make it happen.

Method 1: Upload it as an Artwork
https://test-steamproxy.haloskins.io/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2793675821

Method 2: Upload it as a Screenshot
It sounds tricky but it is actually easy. Making any random screenshot with the Steam overlay capture tool, and then replace the screenshot file with the screenshot you made with the ingame camera tool (rename and override). Then upload the overriden file like normal. And that is how you mark any screenshot as Monster Hunter Rise screenshot...

What we want and we prefer are screenshots made with the Steam Overlay or any better third party app which gives us a high quality screenshot. Without using a third party app, the Steam screenshots are nice to begin with - provided you set it properly up that an uncompressed copy is made in addition to the normal screenshots.



Main reason for that is, that taking screenshots with the ingame tool gives us a significant lowered quality image. Partially it is due to the limitation of the JPG format, but the game actually compresses the screenshot a lot. Even Steam's JPG output is better looking in comparison.

Second reason is legal matters. When taking a screenshot of the game with modded content, we do not want it with the copyright mark. Without going into details due to differences in regional law, imagine how it looks like if - let us go extreme and let us say - you post a screenshot which is not safe for work and it has the official publisher copyright markers. Depending on where you are it can cause issues we do not want. We just want to have fun playing the game - and respect the creators while enjoying the game.

Now to make a decent portrait screenshot without the ingame camera tool and without having the GUI of the camera tool visible, we need to reduce the camera distance. That is where this mod comes into play:

Closer Minimum Camera Distance
https://www.nexusmods.com/monsterhunterrise/mods/254

It is currently available in two versions. We do not want it to use for playing, but just for screenshots. Therefore we pick the "lower" version

Closer Minimum Camera Distance - Lower



If you have no mod installed yet, the handling is pretty easy. Just unpack the RAR file with 7-Zip (freeware)[www.7-zip.org] or any compatible packer of your choice and put the re_chunk_000.pak.patch_001.pak file into your Monster Hunter Rise folder and you are good to go.

Basically just Cut/Paste.


The easiest way to get into your game's folder ~

Once the mod is installed, this is how it looks like ingame

Now it is easier than ever using the Steam Overlay screenshot hotkey (F12 default), or the sharing button on your gamepad to make a good portrait shot!


And since it does not edit any ingame files or your save game, it is also safe to use.

If you ever need to uninstall the mod, e.g. after the game gets patched (in such cases the mod might need an update), just delete the re_chunk_000.pak.patch_001.pak or whatever you named it to make it work (that is only, if you used other mods before) or follow the instructions from your Mod Manager.

When assuming you never used any mods before, it is just deleting that one file and you are good.

If you are using REFramework, you can skip the Closer Minimum Camera Distance Mod part. REFramework comes with a function which enables you to free the ingame's camera. The usage of that makes the need for a Closer Camera Distance Mod unnecessary.

However, I prefer using the mod and wrote this guide so it is easier in the handling - allowing beginners a simple approach on the topic. But if you are a veteran with REFramework, you will not need the mod from Step 2. But without doubts it make things more convenient.

Once you are done with this part, making your portrait screenshots looking good is just a matter of pressing a hotkey as a result. But before that, there are some preparations needed to be done.

That is because otherwise ReShade will crash your game. Normally ReShade is completely harmless, as it works separately from any game as a nice addon with its own overlay only adjusting graphics. But the anti-tampering software which comes along with Monster Hunter Rise as known as Denuvo does not like it. So we need REFramework as sort of "wrapper" to allow ReShade to work without crashing the game.

Download REFramework here
https://www.nexusmods.com/monsterhunterrise/mods/26

The good side effect of installing REFramework:
with the DeviceStutterFix[www.nexusmods.com] plugin you can make your game more stable.

After downloading ReShade from the official homepage https://reshade.me/ the installation is pretty simple and self-explainatory.


For the effect files - to keep it very simple and fun for later on - you can just check everything. That way you will not miss out on any, though the majority you will probably never ever use.

For this guide what is necessary is you getting qUINT DOF, an effect from what is made by qUINT for Depth of Field alteration. Anything else is extra, though I will share some extra screenshots where you see some more effects in action.

Seriously!

There is nothing more you need to know to get started properly to make awesome character screenshots. It is just the closing in and the Bokeh effect which make the screenshots of mine look already so much better!

Most of the hard work is in fact done by the game - it looks that good to begin with at that special photoshooting spot!

The rest of the game, if it had proper lightning, would look probably as good as well!

At this point, if you put Reshade on/off on a hotkey, you can turn on/off the Bokeh effect at your will. I use e.g. Insert, POS1, Page Up for REFramework, ReShade Settings, ReShade on/off.

There are a few more tweaks you do, however. But those are not always necessary, as you need to decide yourself when those look good and when not. Sometimes extra depth e.g. makes a screenshot look worse. Sometimes you prefer a soft blur over sharpness to mask otherwise not so good looking edges. Here are some more ReShade settings in action - though best is you try it out yourself.


The Clarity effect is my favourite. There is always a lingering fog with the game, which this effect takes care of. Making everything looking sharper already without actually sharpening anything.

Adding some depth with the MXAO, fake HDR for a more impressive lightning and some Filmic Pass to give the character a softer "alcoholic" skin tone, et voila ~



That is how the screenshot from the beginning is made.
And with the setup done, the power of ReShade is just one key away from being turned on/off.

Do not forget to set the hotkey for to enable/disable all effects anytime. In this video the default ReShade overlay hotkey is set for Pos1, so the effect enabler I put on PageUp to keep things simple. The auto-focus of the effect needs a moment to fully kick in.

A demo how it can look like when you finished setting everything up ~ the ReShade preset which is used by the end can be acquired here [www.nexusmods.com]or here[pastebin.com]

Now that you have the tools available to improve your screenshots, let me share with you some tips and tricks from my personal experiences as a GPoser



https://test-steamproxy.haloskins.io/steamstore/app/1797994/MONSTER_HUNTER_RISE__Idol_pose_set/

One of the reason why I only taught you to use one effect, which is only for the Bokeh effect, is that more often lesser is enough. Using too many effects at once might look good at first glance, but it comes at a high price which you will learn over time. Take these two screenshots as example.


Some might say "it is a matter of taste", which is not wrong. However, these two serve great to show what went good and wrong.

First off - the image on the right is entirely without ReShade. It is just using the closer distance camera mod.

Despite the same pose and same look, you can tell with the left one right away: the Bokeh effect is amazing, but the lightning makes the character look "sour". The feeling of the skin colour is not right either. And the edges are somewhat unnatural sharp. Only one bad tweak can in fact ruin the whole atmosphere of a good photo - or in this case: of a good screenshot.

While the background might not be so good with the right image, it does a lot to support the Dreamy Huntress look, with the vignette. The left image on the other hand has the character competing with the background.

At some point it is indeed "a matter of taste". But also a matter of experience. Chasing for the good shot makes it recommendable that you take multiple screenshots with different settings at first. With enough training you will go straight for your best settings. Until then: less is often better. Start with enjoying the Bokeh effect, add clarity later on and more - step by step.

While less is often better with ReShade effects, you want to go all out with the ingame's graphics settings for screenshots.

I am not having the best performing gaming PC, so I am usually good with Image Quality 100%, Shadow Quality Low, and Texture Filtering Low as well.

But for screenshots I am turning those settings all up, knowing I do not need any performance when I am just taking screenshots while my character is standing there.

Depending on what kind of mood for the image I want, I casually add the vignette effect as well.

Positioning is an important element with a good shot. Since you cannot reposition the lightning, you need to position your character properly. Getting on a perfect spot can be sometimes incredible hard. Especially when turning around the normal way makes your character taking a step or two the direction you do not want them to move.




Using the Show Off 2 Gesture is a very simple, banal even, trick to make your character doing a 180° turn without actually moving from the spot. It works especially great with Using the Wall poses.

While we are at it - check these images out and see how sometimes the extra depth can ruin your screenshot... yeah... take a good look on the breast area... duh...

https://test-steamproxy.haloskins.io/steamstore/app/1798057/MONSTER_HUNTER_RISE__Using_the_Wall_Pose_Set/

With REFramework Fashion Hunters have a powerful tool when it comes to framing. The Free Camera function is so convenient to use, that I have put the hotkeys on my Numpad to make good use of it. Enabling/Disabling whenever I need it, and eventually locking the camera when the frame is good but I am unsure with the pose yet.

It also allows you to take otherwise impossible screenshots.




The only thing I am missing with the Free Camera of REFramework is the ability to rotate the camera.

Not only poses are interesting to take screenshots. They are just convenient with your character standing still. But with the right timing character Gestures make good poses too!



https://test-steamproxy.haloskins.io/steamstore/app/1798070/MONSTER_HUNTER_RISE__Floral_Yukata_Hunter_layered_armor_piece/
(kinda costly paid DLC set - but it looks so cute!!! )

Often forgotten and overlooked is also the fact, that different weapons allow you different poses. While you might not getting a good looking pose with your favourite weapon, how about trying out a different "flair"?



As you can see: Free Camera is great to support you with your screenshots!

Just you know...

You might be surprised how different the feeling of your avatar can change with simple things. Whether a different piece of equipment, a different hairstyle, or just a different pigment for your armour. Be curious and experiment. See yourself how two different hairstyle change the impact of the same character so much ~


In case you are pondering with a complete makeover of your character, using the free voucher e.g., I recommend you to make use of your vacant character slots. Most players are using only one slot to begin with. I am using that fact for myself to try out different looks.

https://test-steamproxy.haloskins.io/steamstore/app/1798040/MONSTER_HUNTER_RISE__One_Character_Edit_Voucher_Free/

When you copy your save game from e.g. Slot 1 to Slot 2/3 after you created a new character on Slot 2/3, you even have access right away to your armour sets as well. A great tip for making backups. An even greater tip for Fashion Hunters.

...check here for a preview video

https://www.monsterhunter.com/rise/us/topics/dlc/



More great beginner tips like this one you can find in my first Monster Hunter Rise guide:
https://test-steamproxy.haloskins.io/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2717340432

Now, staying at the same screenshot spot is not everything. It makes sense to go looking for something original, something special to you and eventually your friends (group shots are best!!!) outside in the world of Monster Hunter Rise. Look at this ~



My attempt to get a Sunbreak inspired screenshot. It did not turned out that good with the lack of lightning (yeah, the Gathering Hub Prep area is superior), but it still looks special on its own way.

Passive Monsters
https://www.nexusmods.com/monsterhunterrise/mods/310
A script for REFramework which turns the large monsters passive until you get too close to them or you attack them. Incredible helpful. Very interesting for those who want to travel through the Monster Hunter Rise world without having large monsters ruining the perfect screenshot moment.


Fantastic screenshot moments you can have by just turning the HUD off


ReShade enhancements for the extra polish

Last but not least ~ there is now an add-on for this guide available
https://test-steamproxy.haloskins.io/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2917745609

While this guide might not get that much attention, due to the topic being a niche thing, I still hope you could get out a lot of it to enhance your Monster Hunter Rise experience.

While it might be not a big part of the actual gameplay, making awesome screenshots, I still see this style of playing as essential and valuable, as it helps making great memories. After all we tend to spend a lot of time with our characters. Our avatars. Our digital extension if you will.

And having a close up look to the awesome art design which comes with the armour sets with Monster Hunter Rise is another thing. Even if you spend hours for the perfect shot - once you got it you will know that not a second was wasted on this different kind of gaming experience. Especially when you understand how unique and special your perfect character portrait turned out for your long lasting memories.



https://test-steamproxy.haloskins.io/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2745633361

"Your Lobby or Mine?"

Do you like what you see?

The character outfit I have used mainly for the screenshots of this guide is built around a modded Baggi chestpiece. You can find the mod here:

Shapely Baggi
https://www.nexusmods.com/monsterhunterrise/mods/585

It is by the very same who made the awesome looking character design of Pahla.
If you liked it, make sure to leave them a kudos on their nexusmods page ~



The whole set consisted of

Head: none (occassionally I put dango earrings on)
Chest: Baggi (mod)
Arms: Swallow (Paid DLC)
Waist: Baggi (mod)
Legs: Leather

https://test-steamproxy.haloskins.io/steamstore/app/1797983/MONSTER_HUNTER_RISE__Swallow_Gloves_Hunter_layered_armor_piece/

I endorse the mod creator with good conscience. Something I rarely ever do. After I have researched so much for my other guide, I consider the quality of their creations is definitely worth it. And they are sharing everything with everyone for free ~ if it was not for them, I would not have created this guide.