Lighting Glossy Black Surface


#1

Alright, so I’m doing a product animation spot, in which the camera stays still, and the product rotates around to different angles. Basically whats happening is I have a specific segment of this animation where the top of the product is facing the camera. It is a somewhat flat, but rounded at the edges. Basically it is a squashed sphere shape that you’re looking at from above. Anyways, my issue is that if i directly light this, the surface doesn’t become brighter, but I see a hotspot.

Whats the best way to light something like this? I’m not using FG, but I am using an HDR environment map. If I didn’t explain it well enough, or you need more information let me know. Thanks in advance.

rainmanbk


#2

They key here is reflections, large reflection cards, or area lights.


#3

What software are you using? I have mainly modeled in Max and that’s about it. But I am pretty well rounded using Maya, and I know you can make your area lights visible in the Mental Ray settings of the actual light. Using Area Lights with this option makes them all light cards.


#4

do it like real studio photography :slight_smile:
for cards us planes with ramps on it in incadence and transparency…
here are good examples from studio photo setups
http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/category/tips-and-lessons/

greets
felix


#5

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