Datasheet

11
■ UNDERSTANDING THE ART OF LIGHTING
Using 3-Point Lighting
Perhaps the most commonly discussed and applied lighting technique is 3-point light-
ing. Descriptions can be found in numerous 3D, film, and video instructional materi-
als. Although 3-point lighting is a reliable way to light many scenes, it has inherent
drawbacks.
In the standard 3-point lighting scheme, a strong key is placed to one side of a
subject (approximately 15 to 45 degrees off the camera axis). A fill light is placed on
the opposite side and is at least half the intensity of the key (see Figure 1.14). A rim
light is placed behind the subject so that it grazes the subject’s edge.
Figure 1.14 Standard 3-point lighting applied to a mannequin. This scene is included on the CD
as
3_point_man.ma.
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