Datasheet

10
c h a p t e r 1: UNDERSTANDING LIGHTING, COLOR, AND COMPOSITION ■
The intensity of the key light as compared to the fill (key-to-fill ratio) should
vary with the subject and location. The optimum intensity of any light used in a scene
depends on its position and the qualities of the materials involved. Nevertheless, as a
rough rule of thumb for an initial lighting pass, you can set the intensity of a fill light
to at least half that of the key. For the 3D reproduction illustrated in Figure 1.11, a
directional light serves as the key. The directional light’s Intensity value is set to 1.75.
An ambient light, which serves as the fill, is placed screen right with its Intensity value
set to 0.6 (see Figure 1.12).
Figure 1.12
Two-point lighting set up for the Hals
painting re-creation
The 2-point lighting scheme is not limited to portraits. Many outdoor scenes
exhibit two distinct sources of light. For example, in Figure 1.13 a watercolor street
scene portrays a strong key light in the form of the sun. An even fill along the backs
of the house and other structures represents the bounced sunlight, which serves as the
second light source.
Ph o to © 2008 Ju P i t e r i m a g e s Co rP o rat ion
Figure 1.13 Harry Leith-Ross (1886–1973). Untitled. c.1945. Watercolor on paper.
Whereabouts unknown.
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