{"id":918,"date":"2011-02-28T15:34:53","date_gmt":"2011-02-28T15:34:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cg-blog.com\/?p=918"},"modified":"2013-04-15T09:33:44","modified_gmt":"2013-04-15T09:33:44","slug":"light-balance-rendering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cg-blog.com\/index.php\/2011\/02\/28\/light-balance-rendering.htm","title":{"rendered":"The light balance in rendering"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I work on a rendering I apply a personal workflow. It’s nothing secret or special, but it’s helpful to me and for every person who was in my trainings. I usually have 4 steps. They help me to keep track\u00c2\u00a0control the evolution of the work:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Balance of Lights (with default material)<\/li>\n
  2. Exposure correction (after the application of texture)<\/li>\n
  3. Adding reflections (Glossy and not glossy)<\/li>\n
  4. Final rendering setup<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    I figure out these 4 steps as a hill to climb:<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    A very hard start, a point of verification, and finally an easier way down.
    \n<\/strong>The start is brief, artistic and complex. The conclusion is longer, technical and easier.<\/p>\n

    The 1st step it’s “only” about putting lights in the scene. You have to decide the primary light and consequently\u00c2\u00a0add the secondary lights, fill lights and so on. I usually use the V-Ray default material \u00c2\u00a0(equivalent to Kodak 18% gray).<\/p>\n

    This is -\u00c2\u00a0from\u00c2\u00a0a\u00c2\u00a0technical point of view\u00c2\u00a0-\u00c2\u00a0the\u00c2\u00a0easiest\u00c2\u00a0step. There\u00c2\u00a0are few parameters\u00c2\u00a0to control, but it\u00c2\u00a0is\u00c2\u00a0artistically\u00c2\u00a0the\u00c2\u00a0most complex step. This step is really hard for the people who are very\u00c2\u00a0good\u00c2\u00a0with\u00c2\u00a0the only parameters!\u00c2\u00a0Yes,\u00c2\u00a0because the “parameter control” is not the main topic at this step. The most important topic is the\u00c2\u00a0way\u00c2\u00a0the\u00c2\u00a0lights\u00c2\u00a0are related\u00c2\u00a0to each other: Light Balance. Artistical people are advantaged.<\/p>\n

    A\u00c2\u00a0great light balance make the\u00c2\u00a0image “more” 3D! It creates volumes\u00c2\u00a0and depth in the image.\u00c2\u00a0A bad light balance make everything\u00c2\u00a0flat.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The light balance\u00c2\u00a0is the\u00c2\u00a0foundation\u00c2\u00a0of the image<\/strong>,\u00c2\u00a0if the\u00c2\u00a0foundation\u00c2\u00a0is not\u00c2\u00a0strong\u00c2\u00a0the building\u00c2\u00a0is always in danger. But if the foundation is great you can\u00c2\u00a0add materials,\u00c2\u00a0backgrounds, lights, you can play with the parameters: the result will be always fine.
    \n<\/a>
    \nHere my advice: make sure\u00c2\u00a0that the light balance\u00c2\u00a0works fine before proceeding.\u00c2\u00a0Try\u00c2\u00a0also\u00c2\u00a0the second\u00c2\u00a0step (adding textures),\u00c2\u00a0sometimes\u00c2\u00a0the\u00c2\u00a0colors help the contrast, but\u00c2\u00a0never go\u00c2\u00a0over\u00c2\u00a0if\u00c2\u00a0the image does not work! In my experience as trainer I know the problems in 90% \u00c2\u00a0is in the beginning: light balance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Everyone knows: good morning starts in the morning.<\/p>\n

    *<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Check the videotutorial, donwload a sample scene a repeat the exercise.
    \nLearn how to model a scene using the lights.<\/p>\n

    [private Premium|Premium1|Premium-1year]<\/p>\n