Who is a lighting artist? Lighting artist is the person who generally lights the scene in animation movies or any animated clips.
As while shooting for live action production , the director of photography decides what type of lighting to be used and where to place them.
A lighting artist exists in computer generated animation.
A 3d lighting artist is the part of a larger team of 3d artists who work is to light the final scene in a way that properly mixes with the 3d project.
Lighting is used in videogames , movies, instruction videos or in architecture mock-ups.
If the production is of larger size and if a producer wants high level of qualitative job then it is not possible for a 3d generalist to complete full projects. Studios then go for division of labour.
The studios divides the computer generated work force into different departments.
The animation team is divided into different departments which includes modelers, riggers, animators, texture artist and lighting artist.
Thus by increasing the workforce one may get more talented people as they get much time to enhance their skill in a smaller set of 3d process.
What is 3d lighting actually? The process by which modern render engine and real time engine calculate lighting is very much similar to that in real world.
The lights needed to be set up in order to give a final look of the scene.
It is very much comparable that when a photographer or a final crew should use lights or light reflectors to give a shot its right mood.
There are various form of digital lights.
It depends on the software , the rendering, or real time engine being used.
Some of the examples of digital lights are discussed below-
SPOT LIGHT- The very nature of spotlights is very much similar to normal light.
The light that is emitted from a 3d space features a cone of light in a single direction.
These lights are then customized and in this way the direction of the cone is changed as well as the intensity and the color of the light.
Within the cone ,size options are provided that are called near and far attenuation.
POINT OR OMNI LIGHT-POINT LIGHTS– This type of lights are very much similar to the spot light that is ordinarily used in drama and in movies.
These lights can also be customized on the basis of brightness, color, depending on the software, the source size and shape.
They also posses attenuation settings very much similar to software.
AMBIENT LIGHT– Ambient lights are very much different from other lights.
Actually the main purpose of this light is to brighten the source uniformly.
These lights are not very much customizable.One may only change the color and brightness of the light.
HDRI LIGHTS- This is an important imaging technique where all information is taken from an image and then transformed into lighting data.
This is a technique that is used generally in photography to produce images that may store a large amount of information than a normal photograph.
SUN AND SKY LIGHT This is another form of 3d lightening which is generally a combination of spotlight and HDRI.
It is generally used to soften shadows and other darker sides.
So the type of 3d lightening is discussed above.
3d lightening generally helps to set the tone , mood atmosphere of a scene.
It then gives a final look to the scene.
This is generally achieved by adding light shadows in a computer generated 3d environment.
One need to select a different combination of light sources to highlight certain parts of the scene in order to evoke the right emotion.
One may use light to give the right mood to the scene.
LETS UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES REQUIRED TO BECOME A GOOD LIGHTING ARTIST-
Lighting artist should possess a good knowledge of color theory, perspective and design theory .
One should also possess a good knowledge of light and shadow.
Understanding lighting – One should try to gain a good knowledge on the scientific principles behind lightening.
One should have strong knowledge of the different lighting techniques and materials.
Problem solving : one need to overcome the hindrances and use computer technology to make new ways to attain creative vision.
Working on deadlines- One may try to work within a give time network and should try to finish the work under pressure and should try to submit the work on schedule time.
Knowledge of relevant programme- One should be very much capable of using compositing software and digital paint software.
Some of the tools that are used by software professionals are discussed below-
For image editing, adobe photoshop is used.
For 3d lighting software V-ray Arnold, Red shift, and Render man is used.
For 2d compositing software , after effects, fusion and Nuke is used.
Lightening artist workflow- Lighting artist generally works with the art director, in order to have a good knowledge of the different effects of lighting.
Lighting artist job is is then rechecked by the visual effect artist.
Then after that it is generally passed into compositors.
HOW TO BECOME LIGHTING ARTIST?
An aspiring lighting artist first works in a junior position then he starts working in a mid position and then he starts working in a senior position.
One should make a portfolio or showreel of ones digital work that one may make so that ones work becomes visible online.
Getting a certificate or diploma course in 3d lightening will help one to achieve a good career in 3d lightening.
While working as an apprentice as a 3d lightening artist one may achieve a lot of experience and well as one may earn something.
By making one portfolio one may show it to prospective employers .
An aspiring 3d lightening artist may create own short film.
MAAC Animation Institute located in Chowringhee- Parkstreet, Rashbehari and Ultadanga provide course on 3d lightening.
It is located in the heart of the city well connected with metro and bus and nearby station.
The good faculty provides good knowledge of 3d lightening.The Institute has its own lab.
After completing the course MAAC provides placement assistance .
So hurry up guys .
Don’t waste your time !
Log on to our website. https://www.animationkolkata.com/
Call us @9836321595 MAAC CHOWRINGHEE
@9836321789 MAAC RASHBEHARI
@9830390356 MAAC ULTADANGA counsellor will get back to you.
