Doctor Sinister Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 Just messing with some lighting effects - freezing my fingers off taking snapshots of LEGO at night...brrrr... A strange ethereal light surrounds the brave knight as he heads to his destiny...the Black Skeleton Tower... Dr. S. Quote
natelite Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 sorry, doesn't look ethereal to me. looks more like a bright florescent light shining from the back. Quote
Doctor Sinister Posted October 24, 2007 Author Posted October 24, 2007 sorry, doesn't look ethereal to me. looks more like a bright florescent light shining from the back. Well, I'm just testing some effects out, you get a really rich black at night so I'm going for contrast. Thanks for your input though. Dr. S. Quote
xwingyoda Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 Hey DS, I really like your lighting effects ;-) It looks so much better than computerized CGI Photoshop gibberish in my book !! I never tried loads of test but I did it once before you were a member here, so let me share it with you ;-) I love the effect but my pic suffers from the same default as yours: we clearly see the "impact" of the flash |-/ istead of a difuse source of lighting. I would know how to get rid of that with my argentix camera (Minolta Dynax 7000i 8- Quote
Doctor Sinister Posted October 24, 2007 Author Posted October 24, 2007 (edited) Ah, now this is why I'm glad I posted it as it's always handy to get tips. Thanks *yoda* . I wonder if a reflected light source would work better - or some kind of fabric in front of the light source to sort of spread it out a bit more? I must play around a bit more - but it's too cold outside now. I'm using a Sony H1 digital camera, it's pretty cool and I have loads of lenses etc for it but I'm not a trained photographer so I usually just muddle around until I get something that looks half decent. :-) Dr. S. Edited October 24, 2007 by Doctor Sinister Quote
xwingyoda Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 I'm using a Sony H1 digital camera, it's pretty cool and I have loads of lenses etc for it but I'm not a trained photographer so I usually just muddle around until I get something that looks half decent. :-) Loool, I know the feeling :-P I just use a puny and old Canon Ixus 40 to test the joy of the digital world ;-) One day I will definitly get a supped up reflex one with changeable lenses and what have you !! I miss using filters like on my argentix, that gives really great light effects without any technology :-P DS, do not hesitate to post more of cool looking tests ;-) *yoda* Quote
Starwars4J Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 What you might want to try is to soften the light by not using a flash, and instead using a secondary light source with an opaque screen in front of it, not so opaque though as to not allow the light through. It tends to soften the light, and is what's used on models often times to give a brightness with a dark background. But make sure to surround it with light on all sides, I think it was said that a light is shining on it from behind, because just the back is lit...the sides are dark! To tackle this problem, either use some reflective surfaces, or a few more lights. Another option is to take a pic of the knight all lit up separately, and to shop it into a pic of the black background, though when you take a pic of the black background/castle, make sure to shine a light on it to replicate the effect of the light coming OFF the knight onto the castle. Hope this helps! :-) Quote
Doctor Sinister Posted October 24, 2007 Author Posted October 24, 2007 What you might want to try is to soften the light by not using a flash That's just it though, I'm not using a flash at all, I've turned it off as it gives really horrible effects. The problem is arising because the light I have is too direct. , and instead using a secondary light source with an opaque screen in front of it, not so opaque though as to not allow the light through. It tends to soften the light, and is what's used on models often times to give a brightness with a dark background. But make sure to surround it with light on all sides, I think it was said that a light is shining on it from behind, because just the back is lit...the sides are dark! To tackle this problem, either use some reflective surfaces, or a few more lights. Yes, what you say makes sense, the opaque screen idea is the way to go I think, but I'm wondering how I could rig a setup like that which is portable and compact - not to mention inexpensive (need money for LEGO!). :-) Does anyone have any experience with this? This second picture uses a 2nd light source, I know it's still not quite there, but is it any better do you think? Another option is to take a pic of the knight all lit up separately, and to shop it into a pic of the black background, though when you take a pic of the black background/castle, make sure to shine a light on it to replicate the effect of the light coming OFF the knight onto the castle.Hope this helps! :-) Argh, no, not Photoshop! :-D I have it here, I use it for work on another website I work for but I refuse to use it in my LEGO pictures as I think it's cheating. I like to try and get "pure" effects. I know what you suggest would work, I just don't want to go down that route. Dr. S. Quote
xwingyoda Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 This second picture uses a 2nd light source, I know it's still not quite there, but is it any better do you think? I don't think its better, its different !! I love the effect on the first pic because it seems that the light comes from the knights "aura" His pure soul generates lights !! On the second pic, I love the soil effect, its neat and looks great !! However it hits the knights and I really like the fact that the knights's aura creates such light ;-) Argh, no, not Photoshop! :-D I have it here, I use it for work on another website I work for but I refuse to use it in my LEGO pictures as I think it's cheating. I like to try and get "pure" effects. I know what you suggest would work, I just don't want to go down that route. Amen brother !! We are purist and proud of it ;-) *yoda* Quote
Starwars4J Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 Yes, what you say makes sense, the opaque screen idea is the way to go I think, but I'm wondering how I could rig a setup like that which is portable and compact - not to mention inexpensive (need money for LEGO!). :-) Does anyone have any experience with this? Honestly you can try getting just a very thin rag and try placing that inbetween the MOC and the lightsource. I mean VERY thin, since even an ordinary rag would block most of the light. If you have any stockings that might work well too. This second picture uses a 2nd light source, I know it's still not quite there, but is it any better do you think? I think it looks a lot closer to what you were talking about! We just need to get the light to be less harsh on the ground Argh, no, not Photoshop! :-D I have it here, I use it for work on another website I work for but I refuse to use it in my LEGO pictures as I think it's cheating. I like to try and get "pure" effects. I know what you suggest would work, I just don't want to go down that route.Dr. S. Ah, sorry! I used the evil word :-$ Quote
Doctor Sinister Posted October 24, 2007 Author Posted October 24, 2007 (edited) I don't think its better, its different !!I love the effect on the first pic because it seems that the light comes from the knights "aura" His pure soul generates lights !! On the second pic, I love the soil effect, its neat and looks great !! However it hits the knights and I really like the fact that the knights's aura creates such light ;-) Right then - try these latest two for size... Off to find some thin material...back in a bit... Dr. S. Edited October 24, 2007 by Doctor Sinister Quote
xwingyoda Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 Thats really cool DS !! That aura is pretty impressive ;-) Hey I have another idea for you: try and have a lightsource where you stand taking the pic toward the tower to illuminate the soil form the bottom of the pic to the tower !! As if a special light fog was there !! BTW do you smoke ? you could use a smoking cig to have a fog effect ;-) With chemicals it would turn bluish which would be sweet !! *yoda* Quote
natelite Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 you could use the light up brick from the first EF series. change the led so it gives the light you want. i think blue led gives better aura effect. if you want to hide the brick you could use one of those fiber optic cable to channel the light to the knight. i would just dig a hole under the knight, paint the cable black to hide it and let the end of the optic cable as my light source. if you place it well enough, it should give a glow that seems to eminate from the knight, creating that aura effect. Quote
Doctor Sinister Posted October 24, 2007 Author Posted October 24, 2007 Three more... And no, I don't smoke - never even had a puff in all my 36 years. :-) But it would be a cool effect... ;-) Couldn't quite get your "fog" effect to work... :-( Dr. S. you could use the light up brick from the first EF series. change the led so it gives the light you want. i think blue led gives better aura effect. if you want to hide the brick you could use one of those fiber optic cable to channel the light to the knight. i would just dig a hole under the knight, paint the cable black to hide it and let the end of the optic cable as my light source. if you place it well enough, it should give a glow that seems to eminate from the knight, creating that aura effect. Which EF set would I need? I DO need to get some light-up bricks, this would solve a host of problems. Dr. S. Quote
natelite Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 Which EF set would I need? I DO need to get some light-up bricks, this would solve a host of problems. this brick. http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=54604 BL listed 10 sets that have them. see if you can still get one of them. the general concensus is that supernova is the best among them. you can still get it from TRU. also, this fiber optic cable should do the trick in channeling the light (make sure to wrap it in black cloth though, so the light doesn't seep from the sides) to the knight's torso. edit: i have the skeleton tower set and the LU brick. I'll try it tonight in my basement to see if i can get a good aura effect. :-P Quote
Sir Dillon Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 The middle of the last pictures you posted is really cool. It looks a lot like moonlight to me. Quote
Doctor Sinister Posted October 24, 2007 Author Posted October 24, 2007 The middle of the last pictures you posted is really cool. It looks a lot like moonlight to me. Yes, I think I'm going to stop there as it's my favourite from this evening - I think I've cracked what I was trying to achieve, sort of. Thanks! Dr. S. Quote
Scouty Posted October 24, 2007 Posted October 24, 2007 I use printer white paper to diffuse my lights when animating, it really helps tone down the over-contrasts pouncing off of the shiny bricks, expecially bright ones. I like what you did in the middle of your last (three)set of pictures. Very good. Quote
natelite Posted October 25, 2007 Posted October 25, 2007 tried the LU brick technic. didn't work too well. if you put the light at the back, it will cast a shadow. if you put another at the front, it will cast a shadow to the back. there's shadow all over no matter if you use one or more light source (bricks). guess your best bet is to use a direct source from the top. oh well... :-$ :-/ Quote
Scouty Posted October 25, 2007 Posted October 25, 2007 You can try and point a light at pieces of white paper that'll reflect the light onto the figures, without the lights facing the figure. Quote
Hinckley Posted October 25, 2007 Posted October 25, 2007 Hey hey now. Let's lay off the photoshop users :-P Dr. Sinister, thanks for sharing this process with us. It's really beautiful what you do with lights. I love watching the stuff you bring us because it is truly unique. I wish I could accomplish the effects you accomplish and I'm going to try to get some natural light effects instead of relying so heavily on photoshop-even though it's not always a bad thing :-$ . Thanks for inspiring me. And it's so nice for you to share the process too. All the results look great, but it's nice to see how great the one you decided on is. Have you considered using gels over your lights? A blue gel - or blue flood bulb - could add a different twilight effect and depth to the area outside the spot. Another cool idea might be to underlight the knight, maybe with one of those pop-on lights that you press to turn on...I don't think those LED Lego pieces produce the right light... Awesome work and thanks again! X-D Quote
Scouty Posted October 25, 2007 Posted October 25, 2007 You should put a light looking up on the skeleton face of the castle, that'll be a scary thought for the knight! Quote
Johnny 5 Posted October 25, 2007 Posted October 25, 2007 Try a thin cotton shirt over the light but for it to work you would need a super bright light. The effect should be a glow from behind the knight Quote
iamded Posted October 25, 2007 Posted October 25, 2007 This pic's my favourite. The knight has that shining light around him, but he tower still keeps that dark intimidating look. *y* But what the heck is the ground made of? Reminds me of the stuff from StarCraft... ~Peace Quote
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