Working with Light in 3D: Adjusting the Direction and Size of Light Sources

Contents:

• Preface
• Direction
• Character Lighting
• Environmental Lighting
• Size
• Environmental Lighting Size

In 2019, Andrew Price, founder of the online platforms Blender Guru and Poliigon, released a video course on the fundamentals of working with lighting for beginning 3D artists. In his lectures, Andrew shares five key rules for lighting characters and environments. Each rule is supported by illustrative examples from visualizations, photography, painting, and film. In this article, we will review the main points of the course and explain how to properly adjust the direction and size of light sources to achieve high-quality lighting in 3D modeling.

In the first part, you will become familiar with the main aspects of the topic. We will cover key concepts that will help you gain a deeper understanding of the subject and its significance. We will also focus on the most important details that will be useful for further study. You will receive valuable recommendations and practical advice that will help you better navigate this area. This material will form the basis for your understanding and will allow you to confidently move forward in studying the topic.

• what books and courses on working with lighting do not tell you;
• how the direction of light works in scenes with characters and environments;
• how to choose the right size of the light source;
• why the golden hour is the best option for landscapes and what are the exceptions.

Preface

Every 3D artist faces a situation when changing the position of the light source significantly improves the visual perception of a character render. This technique is also effectively applied to landscapes: simply changing the direction of the sunlight, and the image takes on new shades. There are both boring and mesmerizing works, and their appeal depends not only on the content of the scene or character design - lighting plays a key role. Varying the color of shadows or accentuating certain areas can add depth and expression, reminiscent of the techniques of artists of past eras who used light and shadow to highlight details in their paintings. It's important to remember that proper lighting not only enhances aesthetics, but can also significantly improve the overall quality of your 3D work.

There are many books and courses dedicated to working with light, and each of them has its merits. However, while studying these materials, Andrew noticed a common drawback: most tutorials only cover a limited set of specific techniques, such as arranging three light sources for a single character. This creates a challenge for the artist when it comes to applying the acquired knowledge to non-standard situations. What if there are two characters in a scene, one in the foreground and one in the background? What if the action takes place in a 3D environment, such as a cityscape? Unfortunately, most tutorials do not cover such complex scenarios or teach how to properly work with light in such conditions.

Effective lighting in 3D compositions relies on five key elements: direction, size, color, readability, and emphasis. Understanding how each of these elements affects the final image allows a 3D artist to achieve the desired results. Andrew Price answers common lighting questions in his tutorials. He explains how changing any of these aspects can affect composition, when it's undesirable to move the light source, and how to effectively use both large and small light sources. Price also explores which lighting options are most effective for characters and environments, helping artists create more expressive and harmonious visual solutions. Direction The changes in the way a face is perceived by lighting are an interesting aspect of visual perception. When light hits a face from below or from the side, it creates different shadow effects, significantly altering the appearance. For example, in the image below, it's easy to identify it as a circle, even without further description. The direction of light plays a key role in how we interpret forms and objects, highlighting the importance of proper lighting in photography and the visual arts.

If it becomes known that this is a three-dimensional figure, it will be impossible to determine it without additional clues, since without a light source, the object's shape remains unknown. It can be assumed that it is a sphere, but it could also be a cone, disk, or cylinder. The shape of a figure can only be judged by the shadow created by the direction of light.

It is important for beginners in 3D modeling Remember that shadows play a key role in creating realistic images. Don't avoid using them. Shadows help better perceive the shape of objects and add depth to a composition. They are an integral part of a 3D artist's work and are just as important as lighting. Understanding and using shadows correctly is the key to successful rendering.

Character Lighting

Imagine you spent a significant amount of time creating a muscular character and, during the rendering stage, placed the light source in front of the object. This is a common mistake. Front light often flattens any form, causing those hard-won abs to become unreadable to the viewer. However, if you move the light source to the upper left corner, a shadow will appear that will highlight the unevenness of the model's surface. Proper lighting is the key to creating expressive and detailed 3D images.

Now the viewer can see everything details: abs, pectorals, veins on the arms, and other prominent muscle areas. This is made possible by the correct direction of the light source, which emphasizes every line and shape of the body. Proper lighting plays a key role in creating a clear and expressive image, allowing you to emphasize physical fitness and the aesthetics of an athletic body.

There is an opposite example when a person looks in the mirror before leaving the house and thinks that he looks great. However, when entering the elevator with a mirror, he may notice dark circles under his eyes. This demonstrates how lighting can play a decisive role in the perception of appearance, emphasizing undesirable features. Proper lighting is of great importance for creating a favorable visual image.

We will learn practical methods of working with light. These techniques will help you better understand how lighting affects the perception of objects and creates atmosphere in photography and videography. The correct use of light can significantly improve the quality of your work and emphasize important details. We will consider basic techniques, such as using natural light, working with artificial light sources, and creating contrasts. Understanding these techniques will allow you to more effectively manage light and achieve the desired results in your projects. Let's start with foreground lighting. Placing a light directly behind the camera in front of the face in the editor will result in a flat image. The viewer won't be able to clearly see the shape of the nose, cheekbones, or ear placement. This approach creates an effect similar to using a flash, which is undesirable in most cases, as it flattens the shape of the face. To achieve more natural and dimensional lighting, it is recommended to use side or diagonal lighting, which will highlight the contours and texture of the skin, creating a more attractive and realistic image.

In practice, there are situations when it is necessary to use specific lighting. This is especially relevant, for example, for catalog photo shoots, where the emphasis should be on clothing prints rather than fabric texture. These lighting conditions are also suitable for photographing tattooed people, where the focus is on their tattoos rather than their figures. Proper lighting in these cases helps effectively convey details and features of the image, which plays a key role in the perception of visual content. Moving the light slightly higher and back can significantly change the perception of the face. Proper lighting plays a key role in creating an attractive image, highlighting contours and highlighting important features. By changing the angle of the light, you can achieve a spectacular result and improve the quality of the image.

The lighting technique, known as Paramount or butterfly style, The Paramount style takes its name from the film company of the same name. During filming, lighting was used to emphasize the "glamor" of the image. This lighting style creates small shadows that help the viewer better see the shape of the model's nose, lips, chin, and cheekbones. Additionally, the characteristic shadow conceals the neck and creates visual space between the head and body. The main advantage of Paramount-style lighting is that it accentuates the model's eyes, making her look more expressive and memorable. This technique is widely used in portrait and fashion photography to create striking and attractive images.

Photographers often use this technique for shoots for glossy magazines and in the fashion industry. It is important to note that Paramount studio shoots are characterized by the use of large light sources with soft illumination. This creates the desired atmosphere and highlights details. The result also depends on the position of the model's head, but the light source is always positioned above the camera, which ensures high-quality image rendering and beautiful shadows.

Positioning the light source above the subject can create dark circles on the face and threatening contours. This can evoke a skull-like image in the viewer, negatively impacting the image's perception. Proper lighting is a key aspect in photography and videography, as it affects the atmosphere and emotion that an image evokes.

Although such While lighting can highlight undesirable features, there are situations where this effect is necessary, particularly in horror films or when introducing an antagonist. For example, Palpatine's menacing appearance in Star Wars is accentuated not only by his distinctive makeup but also by overhead lighting, which creates an atmosphere of tension and fear. This technique helps enhance the character's presence and makes him visually more menacing, an important element of film storytelling. Proper use of lighting in such scenes emphasizes the emotional load and enhances the viewer's perception.

There are situations where the light source is directed from above, creating dark circles under the eyes without completely hiding them. This is called the panda or raccoon effect. This type of lighting is generally considered undesirable for filming, but in certain contexts, such as to convey a character's tiredness or depression, it can be quite appropriate. Using this effect can add depth and expressiveness to a scene, emphasizing the emotional state of the hero.

When the light source moves behind the object, the viewer sees only the silhouette of the model. This classic technique is widely used in cinema to create the effect of mystery, allowing the character to remain incognito. This approach not only adds tension to the plot, but also emphasizes the mystery of the image, attracting the attention of the audience and stimulating their imagination.

This technique This technique is excellent for creating mystical scenes, such as moments when a faceless killer commits a crime or when a character, hiding their identity, slowly emerges into the light. However, it is ineffective for presenting a model, as in such cases, the subject becomes difficult to identify and its details are impossible to discern.

With side or split lighting, the light source, moving to the side, illuminates only one half of the subject. This creates dramatic shadows and highlights the texture and shape of the subject. This type of lighting is often used in photography and videography to create a dramatic effect and accentuate the subject's details. Side lighting can significantly change the perception of an image, making it more three-dimensional and dynamic.

This technique combines two opposite effects: It simultaneously reveals and conceals the subject. Side lighting is used effectively in scenes where context is irrelevant, such as when a character is sitting in front of a window. However, this technique also serves as a hint that the character has secrets or something they would prefer to hide. The use of side lighting in film creates an atmosphere of tension and mystery, making the plot more engaging and multi-layered.

A model lit from below evokes associations with a storyteller of eerie tales. This effect creates an atmosphere of mystery and tension, enhancing the narrative experience. Underlighting accentuates the narrator's face and gestures, making them more expressive and memorable. In this type of lighting, every shadow adds drama, which is perfect for conveying dark and intriguing stories.

Why this type of lighting Is it so widely used in the horror genre and does it evoke fear? Andrew posed this question in psychology communities on StackExchange and Reddit, but was unable to find a scientific explanation. On Twitter, artists noted that the silhouette created by this lighting resembles a skull, particularly around the nose. Some suggested that the ominous effect is due to the backlighting of the eyebrows, creating an image of madness or menace. Perhaps the combination of these factors leads to viewer discomfort, creating the tense atmosphere characteristic of horror films. The lighting effect not only enhances visual perception, but also actively interacts with subconscious associations, provoking an emotional reaction.

On a subconscious level, artificial lighting directed from below upwards is perceived as unnatural. In nature, light sources are typically positioned above and direct light downwards. Although lower light sources, such as reflective surfaces (such as water or snow), are present in nature, they are much less common. Even in these cases, the lighting is generally not very bright.

Neutral lighting is the final type of lighting, where the light is placed in the upper left or right corner at a 45° angle. This approach allows the viewer to not only see the character's face as a whole but also clearly define the contours of its forms. The shadows created by this lighting form a characteristic triangle under the eye on the side opposite the light source. Neutral lighting helps emphasize details and adds depth to the image, which is especially important in film and photography.

The technique known as Rembrandt light is widely used in cinema and is a universal solution for lighting in various conditions - from indoor From ceiling lamps to natural landscapes illuminated by natural light. William Lidwell's book "Universal Principles of Design" mentions that 75% of the paintings in the Louvre are lit from the upper left corner. However, Andrew emphasizes that this technique is not a secret of the masters that every modern artist should follow. The explanation for this tendency may be quite simple: most portrait painters of the time were right-handed, which influenced the direction and intensity of lighting. All of the listed lighting types represent a kind of catalog and should not be divided into right and wrong. The choice of lighting technique depends on the context, the composition of the scene, and the artist's intentions. When creating horror visualizations, it is important to direct the light in a way that evokes a sense of fear in the viewer. If you want the character to appear attractive or at least interesting, it is advisable to use more neutral lighting options. Proper lighting can significantly enhance the atmosphere and emotional impact of an image, so it's important to carefully consider every detail.

Ambient Lighting

The approach to ambient lighting can vary, but form remains a key element. Every lighting element, whether wall sconces, ceiling chandeliers, or floor lamps, influences the perception of the interior. The correct use of form helps create harmonious lighting that not only fulfills its primary function but also adds aesthetic value to the space. The variety of shapes allows you to adapt the lighting to any style and preference, making each room unique.

In the image above, the sun is located in the background, which allows The incident light creates sharp shadows on the right rock and emphasizes the relief of the cliff. Andrew used this technique deliberately, as the render was created for a rock modeling tutorial, where emphasizing relief is an important element. The correct use of light and shadow helps highlight the textures and shapes of objects, making the work more expressive and visual.

The time of day significantly affects lighting. At midday, when the sun is high above the ground, the light becomes "flat," making it difficult to perceive the details of the surrounding space. As evening approaches, when the sun sets, a multitude of shadows appear, adding interesting accents and depth. In environmental renderings and architectural visualizations, the purpose of lighting is not only to emphasize forms but also to create points of interest that direct the viewer's eye. Proper lighting allows you to highlight key elements and improve the overall perception of the composition.

This thesis is also confirmed in interior design. Here, the harmony between functionality and aesthetics is crucial, allowing for the creation of a comfortable and inviting space. Effective interior design solutions emphasize individuality and style, while taking into account modern trends and user preferences. It's important that every design element contributes to a cozy atmosphere and also meets practical needs. Thus, the connection between theory and practice becomes especially noticeable in the process of interior development.

Four variants of one render demonstrate how The placement of light affects the perception of the image. The first image has a neutral appearance, while in the other three, the light sources accentuate specific elements: the hallway, chairs, and table. This confirms that in environmental scenes, lighting most often determines the composition rather than the shapes of objects, although they can sometimes draw attention to them. The correct use of light helps create more expressive and memorable visual images.

In conclusion, it is not necessary to memorize all types of lighting – it is important to understand that the direction of light forms shadows, and shadows, in turn, create volume and form. The choice of form must be approached with particular care, as it can accentuate unwanted details or disrupt the harmony of the composition. Before setting up the lighting, the artist should clearly define the message they want to convey to the viewer.

Size

Determining the optimal size of a light source is just as important as choosing the direction of the light. The light source size refers to the physical size of the object emitting light. In Blender, this can be an object with an Emission shader, which can be scaled. For standard light sources, the size is determined by the radius. Surfaces can also be used to create lighting. For example, pointing a Spot at a wall turns it into a large, diffuse light source, creating soft and even illumination in the scene. Proper selection and adjustment of the light source size affect the atmosphere and perception of space in your project.

Small and large light sources differ significantly in their impact To create shadows. Small light sources tend to create sharp, defined shadows. In contrast, larger light sources produce softer, more gradual shadows because the illumination is distributed over a larger area. This difference in shadows is important in photography and interior lighting, as the choice of light source affects the overall atmosphere and perception of objects.

The left illustration shows how light rays from a large light source wrap around the cylinder, filling the shadow side with light. This creates a soft lighting effect. The dark area represents an area where light cannot penetrate. The size of this area depends on the distance between the light source and the object. As the light source approaches, the shadow begins to follow the contours of the object, while remaining soft. This approach to lighting allows for a harmonious combination of light and shadow, which is important for creating a natural visual perception.

The outlines of shadows depend on the distance from the light source. In the presented illustrations, the object is illuminated by a large light source. As the source is removed to a significant distance, the shadow becomes sharper. For demonstration purposes, the brightness was increased to avoid an overly dark scene.

The relationship between the Earth and the Sun is a striking example of the application of physical principles in real life. The Sun has a mass 330 thousand times that of the Earth, making it an enormous source of light and energy. Despite this, its distance from our planet makes it appear as a small, glowing ball in the sky. At midday, the sun's rays create sharp shadow outlines, emphasizing the influence of sunlight on the surrounding world. This relationship is not only important for our existence, but also plays a key role in climate and ecological processes on Earth, demonstrating how solar energy affects life on the planet.

The result of lighting depends on both the size of the light source and its distance from the object. Large light sources create diffuse shadows, while small light sources create sharper shadows. If you move a large light source a significant distance from an object, it will be perceived as smaller, and the shadow will become sharper. A proper understanding of these lighting principles allows you to achieve desired visual effects in photography and videography.

When using a strong light source, the object's shape becomes more distinct, while a weak light source emphasizes details. This is important to consider when developing visualizations. Proper lighting can significantly improve the perception of an object and highlight its key features.

At the initial stage of rendering, a powerful light source is installed in front of the stone, which uniformly illuminates all its roughness. However, when the light source was reduced to the size of a small point, numerous new shadows appeared on the object's surface. This resulted in fine details becoming more pronounced and noticeable. Thus, changing lighting parameters significantly affects the visualization of textures and object details in 3D modeling.

When lighting a person, it's important to use a large light source, as a small light source can accentuate skin imperfections such as enlarged pores, acne, and wrinkles. However, large light sources can cause excessive contrast or overexposure, so photographers prefer to use softboxes for portraits. These special attachments diffuse light, reducing harsh shadows and contrast, which helps conceal skin imperfections. A similar effect can be achieved naturally when shooting on cloudy or overcast days, when the light becomes soft and even. Using the right lighting and equipment significantly improves the quality of portrait photography and helps create a more appealing image.

When using powerful light sources, it's important to consider that skin texture may become less pronounced. This effect is amplified in post-processing. Proper lighting plays a key role in creating high-quality photographs. Using large light sources can soften shadows and make skin appear smoother, but it can also result in a loss of detail. Therefore, it is important to balance lighting and post-processing to maintain the naturalness and realism of the image.

The presented photographs show how Retouching transformed the images. On the left, a large light source eliminated skin imperfections, but as a result, the pores almost disappeared. This created the effect of a perfect face, which the viewer may perceive as a doll-like image rather than a real person. For those practicing retouching in Photoshop, Andrew recommends checking out the video tutorial from Phlearn. However, for working in 3D, these skills may be less relevant.

Photography is characterized by a variety of shadows, including both hard and soft variations. These effects can be reproduced in 3D modeling. As part of an experiment, Andrew developed a softbox analogue in Blender, using a plane as the main element. This approach allows for realistic lighting and creates the effect of depth, which is especially important for high-quality rendering.

Create a plane and go to the Shading section. In this section, you need to build a chain of nodes to achieve the desired visual effect. Properly setting up nodes will optimize the rendering process and improve image quality. Pay attention to the sequence and parameters of each node to ensure harmonious interaction between them.

Now let's apply a light source to the model and analyze the results.

On the left is the lighting created using a standard light plane, and on the right – using a plane with a gradient transition. The second image looks more appealing due to the fact that the incident light does not evenly cover the entire face. When the plane is set up correctly according to the instructions, an area unaffected by the gradient appears in the center, which creates the effect of a small point light source. This gives the shadows sharper outlines, while the smooth gradient softens them. In the image, you can see that the model’s skin texture appears more detailed, and the catchlight in the pupil has become rounder thanks to the features of the new “lamp”. This lighting technique is ideal for portrait photography of characters: skin imperfections become less noticeable, and faces look younger. Youth is associated with beauty, making this lighting particularly appealing to photographers and artists.

It's important to consider that not all models require soft lighting to create an appealing image. In cases where a subject's appearance doesn't conform to traditional beauty standards, the artist may benefit from using hard lighting. This will highlight texture and detail, highlighting the subject's uniqueness and character. Proper lighting selection plays a key role in creating expressive and memorable images.

When creating creatures with rough skin, scales, protruding veins, and roughness, artists use a directional light source that imitates sunlight. This allows you to focus on the smallest details, emphasizing texture and volume. Proper lighting plays a key role in creating realistic images, allowing you to convey the character and characteristics of your creatures more deeply.

The Size of Light in the Environment

In previous chapters, we looked at how midday daylight gives the environment a flat appearance. Sunset, on the other hand, acts as a natural softbox, creating diffused light as the sun sets below the horizon. At this point, the light source merges with the sky, changing color perception and creating directional shadows. This phenomenon in photography is known as golden hour, when the lighting becomes especially soft and atmospheric, which is perfect for creating expressive photographs.

In the first image, taken at midday, the mountain's surface appears flat due to direct sunlight. In the second image, captured during golden hour, the sharply angled lighting accentuates the mountain's unique shape, giving it volume and expressiveness.

Landscape photographs taken during golden hour are ideal for publications such as National Geographic. Photo editors at major magazines rarely review or purchase work taken at other times of day, as Scott Kelby notes in his book, Digital Photography: Volume 1. However, there are exceptions when photographs taken at other times of day can attract attention due to their unique atmosphere or lighting characteristics. The correct use of light and composition at any time of day can create stunning images that can win recognition.

The presented work from The Rock Essentials collection for Blender Market showcases the unique possibilities of lighting in 3D graphics. The scene uses a small, angled point light source, which accentuates the fine details of the rocks with crisp shadows. The effect created with this lighting would hardly be possible during golden hour, when the light is softer and more diffuse. This work highlights the importance of proper lighting in creating realistic landscapes and detailed textures in 3D modeling.

In summary, the size of the light source is crucial in artistic practice. If the artist's goal is to convey beauty and youth, a large light source is recommended. It will help fill in minor imperfections and maintain harmonious forms. At the same time, to accentuate details, a small light source is preferable, highlighting the textures and features of the object. Therefore, the choice of light source should match the artistic goals and the desired effect.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at the features of colored lighting, as well as methods for creating accents in a composition. Learn how to make an image more expressive and readable using various lighting techniques. We will discuss how the correct choice of color and placement of light sources can significantly change the perception of an image and highlight important details.