Lighting Study 1b by NetWorthy

DAZ|Studio • Realism • posted on Nov 24, 2009

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Description

Some time ago I set a few "test scenes" to try out a lot of things: Textures, morph dialing, bump/displacements, reflections, lighting etc. etc. etc. Usually the playing around eventually destroys the scenes LOL. I had this particular scene open with two objectives: 1) Resolve my ages-old problem with DS not giving me highlights in characters eyes. Try as I might I almost always have to postwork highlights into my images to make the characters come alive. 2) Try to get maximum realism from a minimal lighting setup. My relic of a PC can't seem to render too many lights in a reasonable amount of time. While looking at a test render of this closeup while working on the eyes, I decided "Hey I kinda like this!" So here it is: Only three spotlights (only one has shadows), and no postwork at all except to add the logo! So what do YOU think? (BTW, I checked out the whole larger scene and kinda liked it too, so I will post it tomorrow...) "Adrianna" skin texture from rebelmommy/titledhalo "Wasg" hair from bice/outoftouch Facial/body morphs on V4.2 by me

Thanksgiving has become a "nothing" holiday for many, merely a prelude to the annual "Black Friday" shopping frenzy. Well this Thanksgiving, I give huge thanks to Almighty God: My beloved wife has been having medical problems that have worried us greatly and have robbed her of quality of life. She saw a different doctor today and it now appears that a fairly simple surgical procedure in January will give her an immense measure of her life back. And for this, to the core of my being, I am eternally grateful...

Comments (24)

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magnus073

10:10PM | Tue, 24 November 2009

Well I have to say that I kinda like it a lot to Larry, and think the realism here is first rate. It was wonderful to read the news that your wife might have at last found some relief. I'll put her in my prayers my friend.

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mgtcs

10:17PM | Tue, 24 November 2009

Wonderful expression, excellent portrait, congratulations! *****

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Faemike55

10:19PM | Tue, 24 November 2009

Fantastic work Larry! However, the best part of this is the news about your wife. I will keep her in my prayers

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gabrielle_bri

10:24PM | Tue, 24 November 2009

Wonderful work lighting is terrific! Great news on your wife I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season

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jandunne

11:09PM | Tue, 24 November 2009

Absolutely flawless realism, and I'm delighted for both your sakes with the news about your wife. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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brewgirlca

11:58PM | Tue, 24 November 2009

I think it is a very fine skin texture render with lots of fine detailing that would normally come from considerable work with the dodge and sharpen brushes in postwork. You can almost see the pore depth in her skin and you nailed her eye reflects. So I think you achieved what you set out to do. Bravo! My only suggestion would be to take that ray trace shadow light and drop it's shadow depth to about 65% and to give it a blur radius of about 2-4. That would lighten the dark shadows, especially along her hairline and give a bit more soft and natural look to them too. If you did want to do some post work you could dodge in the dark areas of her hair along both sides of her face to match the hard light of this scene. But I know that was not your intent. I am very glad indeed to hear that someone is having a bit of luck and we can all be greatful for your wife's prognosis. That's as good a Thanksgiving as anyone could wish for.

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LivingPixels

12:39AM | Wed, 25 November 2009

I would save that set of lights larry for now coz in the zoom you were able to distinguish slight wrinkles under the eyes and skin pore as roxy says looks good. Personally I think you get a better render from daz, Im jus into too many different projects to try learning it. Your doing great for the both of us Larry and roxy will keep you right of that I'm sure!! LOL!!

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mikeerson

1:35AM | Wed, 25 November 2009

She looks kinda like the lady that is a trainer on the biggest loser - who I also think would make an excellent Sarrah Connors if they did a remake of Terminator.

joaq

2:17AM | Wed, 25 November 2009

Superb!Great morphing work here and wonderful lighting!

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mininessie

2:21AM | Wed, 25 November 2009

great portrait..very well done!

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Bossie_Boots

2:26AM | Wed, 25 November 2009

I think the lighting in daz is far better than poser it takes me loads of postwork to achieve what i want from an image although i must profess i dont understand the lighting as hard as i try i still cant get it to work like some of the great artists do on here specially Rgus im quite envious of his skills lol dont tell him i said that though superb outcome and portrait hugs lou x

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Anthanasius

4:07AM | Wed, 25 November 2009

You need to do more work if you want to achieve realism ! Youre shadow is too sharp, the eyes are too bright and non reflective, the specular of the lips dont match the specular texture etc etc etc ... Hope it help you :-)

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PhilW

7:15AM | Wed, 25 November 2009

A very nice result, especially given the limited lighting that you are working with - and great eye highlights. For maximum realism, I would suggest the following: - some form of indirect lighting for me is a must, it produces an order of magnitude increase in realism - for DS I think this means using UberEnvironment. - minimise "ambient" light as it is unrealistic and use indirect lighting in its place. - any main key lights should have soft shadows enabled - very few real lights are point light sources, they have light areas which produce soft shadows. Indeed photographers go to great lengths to soften light sources with reflectors and diffusers so that shadows are not too harsh. - You could also look to use different coloured lights - opposing warm and cool lights work well, for example. Of course, each of these means more intensive computing to render the image, so it all can be something of a compromise! Great news about your wife, I am so pleased that this way forward has opened up, I wish you both all the best!

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Rainastorm

8:31AM | Wed, 25 November 2009

Yes!! Looking GREAT!! Your results are most impressive!! I am also MOST happy to hear your wife will find some help. It never hurts to get a second opinion, so glad she has more hope ahead. Wishing you folks the best. Happy Thanksgiving!

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