Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Reference and observation
Probably more so than in any of the other definition discussions we have had up to
this point, it is when dealing with exterior lighting that we really need to stress the im-
portance (to the success of the project) of careful observation and reference gather-
ing.
Unfortunately, due to our familiarity with the subject matter, we may be tempted to try
and recreate exterior lighting conditions based on memory alone. This can lead us
into the trap of thinking that exterior daylight has only a handful of stereotypical scen-
arios with which we will need to work. Bright and sunny, cloudy and overcast, and
where I come from, wet and windy would possibly be three fairly generic descriptions
of outdoor weather conditions that we may generate in our mind's eye, especially so if
we have not gotten into the habit of closely observing and documenting what is really
going on in the world around us.
Of course, these generalizations don't really come close to giving us an accurate de-
scription of the subtleties that make up the amazing atmospheric conditions that we
describe simply as daylight. And because we can so easily take something this famil-
iar for granted, the reference gathering and observational aspects of our pre-produc-
tion work will become even more critical than in our earlier indoor lighting scenarios.
If then we have a tendency to spend the majority of our time these days indoors, espe-
cially during work hours, now may be a good time to put some effort into altering that
situation. This becomes especially important when we have set ourselves the goal of
being able to produce photographic exterior renders when using both SketchUp and
V-Ray.
The sunlight color
So what exactly are we looking for as we observe and take note of exterior daylight?
Well perhaps one of the more obvious areas we can focus on is that of color. Most
children will draw the sun as a big yellow circle in the sky, but to describe the sun
as simply producing a yellowish light would be a vast oversimplification of the color
ranges that can and do come from this phenomenal energy source.
One big recommendation that I would make right now for anyone serious about the
quality of their lighting work would be that they regularly put aside a good chunk of
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