Using Light

Lighting is so important when creating images because without light there will be no colour, no form and no distance. Light reacts in number of ways when it hits an object, these are:
Absorption: This is where all of the light is absorbed
Reflection: This is where no light is absorbed and all of the light bounces off the object at a 90 degree angle.
Refraction: This is when light hits a translucent surface and the light is bent at an angle through the surface (like a bubble)

We see colour depending of what colour is absorbed and what is reflected. For example, a green object will absorb every colour except from green. A white object will reflect all colours ad absorb none whereas black will absorb all colour and reflect none.

Diffused Reflection is what happens when light hits an uneven surface, each ray is reflected at different angles at random.

The Fresnel Effect, this is used when describing how the angle you see light at can change what you are seeing. A good example can be seen in pictures of water, where the light hits the water further away, light is reflected of the top of the water and this is what is seen, whereas at a sharper angle where the water is closer to the viewer, light can be seen to refract and begin to show what is under the water.

Another tip to remember is when multiple rays of light cross, the more intense the light will be.

Shadows are the result of light being blocked by an object, depending on the intensity of the light, the darker and sharper the shadow will be. Shadow also gives distance, it shows hows far the object is from the light source, again the closer the light, the sharper and darker the shadow.

Sub surface scattering is when some light is reflected and some refracted. A good example of this is looking at someones ear when a bright light is shining behind it. The refracted light will give off a glowing effect.

Colour is simply a trick of light, and colours will effect each other. For example Red and Green will compliment each other, add green and reds will stand out more and vice verse.

This is an image by Loish, here the light source seems to be coming from the jellyfish as well as an outdoor light source. The jellyfish is showing a good example of subsurface scattering and gives of an orange glow.


This is another image by Loish, here she has used the Fresnel effect, the water at the top of the image, closest to the viewer, shows light completely reflected and the hairs reflection as it fades back. the light source is clearly coming from above the water, being refracted in all directions under the surface and losing intensity as the water becomes deeper.


This is another image by Loish, here there is an clear intense light source coming from outside of the bus and light is being refracted in the water of the goldfish bowl and reflected onto her chest, arm and leg. The blue from her shirt is also being reflected into the bowl.



Bibliography
http://loish.net/