Shadows in HDRI

teechurz_7c41d96282

Is there a way to blur the shadows in images like this where the only light is from the HDRI environment?  I know I can make the shadow lighter, but I'd like to make the edges less defined if possible.

Masterstroke

What light source are you using?
Create a a big plane with an emissive surface as a light source. The bigger the light source, the softer the shadow.

teechurz_7c41d96282

The only light source I'm using above is from the HDRI environment... no added light sources. 

Are there any adjustments I can make to the environment to soften the shadow?

Fishtales

Try dropping the Environment by a half, from 2.00 to 1.00 and/or the Environment Intensity by half, from 1.00 to 0.5

teechurz_7c41d96282

Tried that but it just made everything dimmer.  I've tried several different light sources (distant, point, spot and even an emmissive sphere), but the best results I've gotten are using the "sun-sky only" mode in the environment.  It gives me the perfect shadows but the dome is gone. 

I have a feeling my best results will come from using the Sun-sky mode with a beach prop... which will ramp up my render time exponentially.  *Sigh!* Oh well...

Fishtales

I used the Mauia HDRI and halved the settings and got shadows with soft edges. 

teechurz_7c41d96282

Maybe it's the HDRI I'm using.  It's a freebie from Polyhaven.  Is the Mauia HDRI here at DAZ?

Fishtales

teechurz_7c41d96282 said:

Maybe it's the HDRI I'm using.  It's a freebie from Polyhaven.  Is the Mauia HDRI here at DAZ?

It is in the Genesis 2 Starter Essentials so you might have it.

https://www.daz3d.com/daz-studio-4-pro

The Polyhaven ones are very good but I find the default settings in Daz Studio need to be changed by raising the F/stop to 16 and/or the shutter speed to 256 as I find the light too harsh.