Lighting dark scenes e.g. outerspace

[meatlockerii]

hi

I'm not very good at lighting or rendering. So i was wondering what's the best way to light an outerspace scene?

I've got a spacestation modeled and intend for the light to point towards it, with the camera behind the spacestation. However, a lot of detail can't be seen. How do i get round this without overexposing the scene?

Or should i consider setting up a lighting scheme for GI/FG? If so how do i go about doing so?

[atyss]

Bonjour 4ndy,

I would do is create one strong light, white, for the sun. This light has specular and raytraced shadows.

But I would also add a blue backlight. This light comes from the Earth, it is the light that is reflected on the atmosphere and oceans. This light does not have specular and have wide shadow maps. I recommend that you use several distant lights instead of just one. Also, you can use, instead of light sources, planes that will emit Final Gathering, for a more uniform light but longer render times.

If you don't have any Earth in your scene, perhaps you have nebulas or gas cloud that could send colored light?

Hope this helps
Salutations - Cheers
Bernard Lebel

[ottscay]

Or say screw it and use your strong shadows to evoke a mood. I understand (believe me I understand) the desire to beauty light everythingso it looks its "best." But sometimes I wonder if this isn't making things more generic. The fact is, unless you have the Earth (or another atmosphere laden planet) below at a convenient angle, you wouldn't have almost any fill light. You can still creat a stunning piece, just try to think like a film maker would if thy were actually in space with a camera; that is, shoot with what you have...pick intersting angles, etc.

Just my two cents.

Scott

[sonne]

Try adding some windows (with light in, of course) in the shadow areas.
That way you can keep them (the shadow areas) very dark, and there will still be something interesting to look at.

/Peter