Beginning a Lighting Setup: Dimmer to Brighter? Vise-Versa?

[Khepri]

I dont think you have to start one way or another, but I always start bright and tone stuff down until everything looks evenly lit but still have certain accents on the subject(in this case the performer) of the picture, because he "should" be in the spotlight.


but since this particulair image is centered about the performer, I would have the background quite dark, and have some accents on the amp, and have the lights on the background cast some soft yellowish light.



:) good luck!

[Elowan]

Always start with the key (main) light first. Then add fill as necessary to 'model' or shape the subject. Then add a kicker as necessary. A kicker is that light you see on someones hair to separate it from the background.

Avoid having a light pointed toward the camera unless you're going for a backlit effect.

I wish that there was a way to add a 'cookie' in front of a light source in CGI but I haven't come across a way yet.

[jeremybirn]

Yes! Start with a key light and test it to make sure you like it, including the quality of shadows.

Then add Bounce lights, to simulate the key light bouncing light off other surfaces in the scene, and test render with those before other fills go in, because otherwise they would be hard to aim and adjust.

Also -- no matter how late you are in the process -- you can ALWAYS 'solo' a light (hide all the other lights and render it by itself), and you should solo a light whenever it doesn't seem to be working right or you're not 100% sure exactly what it's doing in your scene.

-jeremy

[jeremybirn]

Originally posted by Elowan
A kicker is that light you see on someones hair to separate it from the background.

Avoid having a light pointed toward the camera unless you're going for a backlit effect.

The light that illuminates someone's hair to separate it from the background is usually called a 'Rim' or 'Back' light, and is aimed towards the camera and downwards from a position behind the subject. (A 'kicker' is usually the word used for a smaller eye-light that adds highlights to someone's eyes or punch to accent some other subject.) Some people might like these links, which have overviews of common 3-point lighting terms and some instructions on aiming the key, fill, and back lights:

http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp031.htm
http://www.3drender.com/light/3point.html

I wish that there was a way to add a 'cookie' in front of a light source in CGI but I haven't come across a way yet.

Applying a map to a light like that is supported by most 3D programs -- if you mention which program you're using, perhaps one of us can help you find that function in your software.

-jeremy

[schmu_20mol]

btw beside all those tips....check out jeremy birn's ' digital lighting and rendering' book...it's really worth it and it has a nice learning curve....i think you'll get more info clicking the link in jeremys signature ;)

[Cinema1954]

Originally posted by Elowan
I wish that there was a way to add a 'cookie' in front of a light source in CGI but I haven't come across a way yet.

I don't know what software you use, but in Cinema 4D I can assign any material to a light and have it used as a projected pattern. I have several cookie patterns that I keep around for just that purpose. I occasionally ( for a slightly different look) apply the material with alpha to a plane object, and use it as a cookie.

If all else fails, have you tried physically modeling a cookie and placing it in front of the light?

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