Creating hard shadows

Bradmc

Hi, does anybody have a recommendation for lighting that can create hard shadows similar to Chiaroscuro? A single spotlight seems to work but it doesnt sufficiently light the scene. I am a complete novice with lighting. Thanks

Paintbox

Bradmc said:

Hi, does anybody have a recommendation for lighting that can create hard shadows similar to Chiaroscuro? A single spotlight seems to work but it doesnt sufficiently light the scene. I am a complete novice with lighting. Thanks

I recommend this product, it comes with defined presets and a tutorial so you can start right away and learn as you go.

https://www.daz3d.com/ig-photographers-toolbox-photo-lights

If you don't want to buy anything, you can tweak the strength of the spotlight in the parameters tab. Its under parameters -> Light -> Intensity.
Alternatively you can change settings in tone mapping in render settings -> Tone mapping -> exposure value , and similar settings. Try a few settings out and see what happens. Do experiment a lot with a very simple scene that is quick to render.

PS If I remember correctly the sun-sky option in IRAY render settings also produces hard shadows, for outdoor work.

PPS This is all for IRAY, if you use 3Delight the above does not apply afaik, except for the spotlight value.

 

fastbike1

@Paintbox "you can tweak the strength of the spotlight in the parameters tab. Its under parameters -> Light -> Intensity"

Intensity doesn't work if rendering in Iray. The correct parameter is "Luminous Flux".

@Bradmc "A single spotlight seems to work but it doesnt sufficiently light the scene"

Paintbox is on the right track, just the wrong parameter (again, assuming you're rendering in Iray). Leave the Iry spotlight geometry as point and up the luminous flux value to get bright, hard shadows. Resist the temptation to use a photometric (i.e. Iray) Point Light. You won't have as much control.