Imaging and Concept

Lighting

Overview

Wether you are in a lighting studio with a live model and a camera, creating an illustration from your imagination or working in digital 3D modeling software, this system will create strong dimension and volume as well as set the figure/object "in" the scene.

The Five Components

This is a systematic method that breaks down the lighting process into 5 components:

Ambient (environment)
Main (brightest)
Fill (exposes shadow details)
Edge (defines the silhouette along the dark side)
Cast Shadows (objects creating shadows on each other)

Whether you are in a lighting studio with a live model and a camera or creating an illustration form your imagination, this system will create strong dimension and volume as well as set the figure/object "in" the scene. Variations on this basic set-up can create different moods and situations. No matter the effect desired, considering all 5 of the lighting components outlined in this guide will provide convincing results. Start with the a generalized sketch of how the light will fall onto your character or object as shown below.

Ambient (Scene) Light

Set up the color, source and intensity of the ambient light in the scene. It will play a major role in defining the time of day, location and mood. In our example the ambient light is replicating a standard room ceiling light. Videographers will often choose certain times of day when shooting outdoors to get the type of light they need to tell the story. Illustrators and 3D modelers have the luxury of simply creating whatever they need.

Main Light

If you are working in a lighting studio or 3D modeling environment, set up your main (brightest) light source first. This will determine the overall lighting scheme as shown by the sketch above. Use a warm color temperature light if you have one. If you are illustrating, create a 3-plane underpainting (or flats) as shown above. then render in the mid tones and bright planes.

Fill Light

Place a (dim and cool color temperature) fill light roughly opposite of the main light (this exposes shadow details). Use a cool colored light if you have one. If you are illustrating, render all of the visible details in the dark planes.

Edge Light

Place an edge light to the side and behind the figure/object to create a highlight on the dark edges. Use a light that is roughly the same color as the environment. If you are illustrating, add these highlights.

Cast Shadows

In a live studio or 3D modeling environment, shadows will be created automatically. If they are covering important features, you can adjust the lights to correct the problem. 3D modelers have the luxury of setting a custom color for the shadows. Illustrators have a lot of creative freedom in this area.

Here is a side by side comparison of the sketch and the finished work.

Here is a view showing the light positions. In this example, two edge lights were used to get an even effect along the length of the figure.

Light Cage

http://www.photoworkshop.com/pages/light_cage.html .. is a handy lighting tool from Photoworkshop.com that lets you play with 2 of the 5 components: main light and fill light.

Here is a side by side comparison of a front lit and upper right lit figure from Photoworkshop's Light Cage tool. The center lighted figure on the left has less volume than the upper right lit figure on the right. For this reason, avoid center lighting.