Virtual Light Lab: Four Seasons

1. A Fall Sunset in Vermont

Vermont is known for its beautiful mountains and foliage and stunning views. I chose the peak of a mountain because it is simply the best place to experience a sunset. You can see for miles and your view is obstructed by nothing. The lighting in this picture is mostly pale yellow with some accent red/coral and a tiny bit of purple light to make the contour more vivid and interesting.

Cyc Light:

• Top: R163 at Full
• Bottom: R163 at Full

Model Light:

• R50 at Full, 48 degree elevation angle, 37 degree back angle
• R303 at Full, 42 degree elevation angle, 48 degree back angle
• R40 at Full, 37 degree elevation angle, 56 degree back angle
• R20 at Full, 32 degree elevation angle, 56 degree back angle
• R09 at Full, 23 degree elevation angle, 56 degree back angle
• R3409 at Full, 0 degree elevation angle, 56 degree back angle
• R3409 at 50%, -19 degree elevation angle, 56 degree back angle
• R324 at 40%, 51 degree elevation angle, direct sidelight
• R20 at 25%, 37 degree elevation angle, direct sidelight
• R02 at 50%, 27 degree elevation angle, direct sidelight
• R02 at 25%, 0 degree elevation angle, direct sidelight

2. A Spring Sunrise in Montauk

The soft colors of this sunset on the beach of Montauk just scream spring. The models are lit in a similar fashion, with soft pastel lights. The sun is just beginning to peek up far in the distance, but the people are still in soft, early-morning lavender semi-darkness.

Cyc Light:

• Top: RED at Full, GREEN at Full, YELLOW at Full
• Bottom: RED at Full, GREEN at Full, YELLOW at Full

Model Light:

• G101 at 75%, 52 degree elevation angle, 21 degree back angle
• AP7450 at 53%, 48 degree elevation angle, 37 degree back angle
• G100 at Full, 42 degree elevation angle, 48 degree back angle
• G835 at 50%, 37 degree elevation angle, 56 degree back angle
• G410 at 3%, 32 degree elevation angle, 56 degree back angle
• G385 at 50%, 51 degree elevation angle, direct sidelight

3. Noon on a Hot Summer Day in Hawaii

Since I couldn’t find a background I really loved, I lit the Cyc with aqua and sand colors, trying to suggest a beachy feel. Hawaii’s beaches are famous and people gravitate to them to cool off on hot summer (is it ever not summer in Hawaii?) days. The lighting was inspired by the sun, with lots of sand tones and some reds thrown in to heat things up.

Cyc Light:

• Top: CYAN at Full
• Bottom: AP2200 at Full

Model Light:

• L102 at 50% 24 degree elevation angle, 37 degree side angle
• G342 at 50% 29 degree elevation angle, 37 degree side angle
• AP8320 at 25% 31 degree elevation angle, 29 degree side angle
• AP4300 at 50% 32 degree elevation angle, 56 degree side angle
• AP7250 at Full, 37 degree elevation angle, 56 degree side angle
• AP8445 at 75%, 48 degree elevation angle, 37 degree side angle
• AP 8100 at 25%, 75 degree elevation angle, direct sidelight

4. Winter Afternoon in Maine

Just because the sun is out during the winter doesn’t make it warm by any stretch of the imagination. The lighting is primarily cool mixed with a dash of sunlight in to mimic this type of crisp day.

Cyc Light:

• Top: G870 at Full, RE224 at 50%
• Bottom: G870 at Full

Model Light:

• G870 at Full, 37 degree elevation angle, 56 degree back angle (SR)
• G870 at Full, 42 degree elevation angle, 48 degree back angle (SR)
• G870 at Full, 48 degree elevation angle, 37 degree back angle (SR)
• G870 at Full, 52 degree elevation angle, 21 degree back angle (SR)
• G870 at Full, 54 degree elevation angle, direct back light
• G870 at Full, 52 degree elevation angle, 21 degree back angle (SL)
• G870 at Full, 48 degree elevation angle, 37 degree back angle (SL)
• G870 at Full, 42 degree elevation angle, 48 degree back angle (SL)
• G870 at Full, 37 degree elevation angle, 56 degree back angle (SL)
• G395 at 25%, 61 degree elevation angle, direct sidelight (SR)
• G410 at 50%,  75 degree elevation angle, direct sidelight (SR)
• G420 at 75%, 90 degree elevation angle, direct downlight
• G410 at 50%,  75 degree elevation angle, direct sidelight (SL)
• G395 at 25%, 61 degree elevation angle, direct sidelight (SL)
• G847 at 75%, 54 degree elevation angle, direct backlight