ENDA Episode 72→ The time when ENDA shares why lighting matters (Part 2)

One of the first things to look at when analyzing a shot’s lighting is the direction of the light source.

At first glance, it might seem like multiple lights are involved, but this is where our artistic eye comes into play. The more you observe, the more you notice how each light source defines shapes and casts shadows.

A simple way to start? Ask: “Where do the shadows go?”

Every light creates a shadow, and the direction of that shadow is the biggest giveaway of where the light’s coming from. Even a single object can reveal plenty once you track the outline of its shadow on the ground.

In the timelapse above, for instance, the sun is clearly the main source of light. As it moves, you can see the direction of the lighting shift along with the angles of the shadows, and even the bouncing lights change over time.

Of course, not every situation is as obvious, but understanding these basics is key to mastering how lighting works. If you want to practice, take a photograph with your phone or grab a still from a TV series and map out where the light’s coming from and about all ask: Why and how it is working?

However, what if f I told you that besides the projected shadows there are other types of shadows that we must be always wary of, especially when integrating CG….?

Well…, that’s a story for another episode.

The journey continues…