I move the camera so we can see the spheres from the side. Now we see they are lit from the back.

(Note: There is no light in this scene, only the self-lit photo.)

Notice, however, that they are experience variations in color, depending on which part of the photo they are closest to. This is a realistic rendering of spheres in front of a lit photo!!!

It is not a realistic rendering of spheres on the beach. In that case, they would be all seeing the scenery from pretty much the same angle, and would be lit close to identically.

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Renderosity forum reply notifications are wonky. If I read a follow-up in a thread, but I don't myself reply, then notifications no longer happen AT ALL on that thread. So if I seem to be ignoring a question, that's why. (Updated September 23, 2019)