Cast shadows too black

[loganb]

the scene: I have objects on a table top, in a spotlight.

The tabletop fades to pitch black outside the spotlight area, which is good!

The objects' cast shadows are pitch black, which is bad.

I want to see the table texture in the object shadows, but I can only think to add another light , which would ruin the fade to black I like.

[jtk77]

Well you can define the color of your shadow, why not lighten it up?

[loganb]

How do I define the color of my shadow?

Oh I found it!
Shadow color is a light attribute...not an object attribute.

F1 no help there....
thanks!

[pyrokinesis]

One slightly-tricky approach to a problem like this one is the "shadow light." That is, a light which doesn't cast light; it casts shadows. This enables you to control the casting of light and the casting of shadows separately... something that you cannot do in the real world of course, but, "this is not the real world."

As a general rule, I am very fond of doing shadows, and lots of other visual effects, as separate passes that are composited together to produce the finished result. When faced with a problem like this ("the shadows are in the right place but they are too dark"), what you have is a simple tweak of the compositing parameters, not an entirely separate and time-consuming re-render. Very nice for keeping the ol' workflow moving (and one's limited and shrinking supply of hair in-place).

[jtk77]

F1 no help there....

Well, I don't know. If you look up shadows it shows the options under the light casting it. The light attribute editor is how you turned it on to begin with. But yes, I hope that works for you. Theres always more ways of doing it, but thats a pretty easy way to get a lighter shadow.
Also, yes, for anything that is going to have a lot of tweeks or possible changes, going the compositing route is the way to go, then you have full control.