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View Full Version : TechnoTortoise:Real lighting or faking it?

David Coombes
11-07-2002, 03:11 PM
Hi,

Here's my entry for the last RealSoft competition, theme ROBOT. It's an SDS model with a displacement map applied for the shell. I feel it has a really nice midnight feel to it with the moonlight as the only illumination, but make sure you view it in a dark room! Some people suggest it could be improved with a moon visible in the background.

My argument - if the moon were behind the tortoise, the reflections would be wrong and the model black.

Their argument - fudge it! Keep the lighting as it is but still put a moon in.

Wouldn't this look wrong? Should I stick to photoaccurate lighting or does some creative license actually add to a scene instead of confuse it? Feedback please!
t1t4
11-07-2002, 03:19 PM
I think the image works well the way it is.

But if you were to add a moon in I don't think it would necessarily detract from the realism of the image. I think you could add a moon and also and a bit of rim/back lighting. The rim light might even add a bit more pop to the image. If you were to take a photo like that you would probably add some back light as well as a key any way so I don't think it would take away from the lighting realism at all.

Just my 2¢
Fronks
11-07-2002, 04:10 PM
I´m with you on the moon, it would not seem realistic as the reflection is on the beholders side.
On the other hand, the moon usually gives a touch of mystiqe to a picture, the choise is realistic or (maybe greater) appeal?

still, I kind of like it the way it is now, clean.
Tumerboy
11-07-2002, 05:18 PM
Personally, I say don't move the moon.

However if you do, then move it just barely into frame on the right edge. But don't keep your reflectsions as they are, let the natural reflections fall where they may, and if the moon is just in from the right edge, you should still have many reflections, the body would be dark, but the reflections may be more interesting.

Nicely done so far though.
chk
11-07-2002, 08:09 PM
I'm with moving the moon and keeping the lighting.

though whose to say there aren't 2 moons where that robot turtle lives?
MK2
11-08-2002, 01:22 AM
You have other Options for the Sky:
Nothern Lights
Metroids (or are these Asteroids?) Whatever that glowing stuff...
Clouds
2 other Moons (hehehe)

and so on... dont change the light or the moon ist okay like it is.
But how about some Waterreflections on the Stone where the Turtle is standing... like there is a small pool... a firefly... you know all the chic and stuff

:)

mk
David Coombes
11-08-2002, 08:18 AM
Great ideas, and I personally wanted some vegetation, but as it was for a competition I was short of time. I'm wanting feedback to know what people prefer to see, photo accurate or not?

David
Kaprolactam
11-08-2002, 10:07 AM
Nah, leave the moon where it is. Adding such a bright spot to your image composition would imo distract from the interesting part, i.e. the tortoise.
The lighting doesn't have to be 100% accurate, but it should be plausible. Of course you have the freedom of the artist, but you should try to find a satisfying trade-off between realism and visual quality, if both is not possible.

/Kapro
Fronks
11-08-2002, 10:13 AM
I´m with Kaprolactam It fills it´s purpose the way it is it´s a nice peaceful picture, and I like it.
Janoshz
11-08-2002, 10:39 AM
It looks very nice. It's got a good mood going.
The turtle is great :)
The only think that dísrtracts is the textures of the rocks, they look kinda cheesy, too smooth perhaps..
Ohh and a moon would be cool but not neccesery.
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