ABSTRACT

Lighting and rendering an exterior night scene is often easier and more rewarding than most scenes, especially when the composition is relatively good. Some of the most appealing exterior shots consist mainly of two colour tones: blues and yellows. The blue hues usually represent the diffused skylight colour cast on indirectly lit areas. The yellow tones often indicate artificial light sources in the scene. With that in mind, this tutorial focuses primarily on emulating these two light sources, while ensuring the two colours complement each other creatively throughout the scene composition. The photo reference portrays a typical hero night shot in all its glory. Note how the skylight colour guides the eye towards the yellow hues being generated from the artificial light sources in the scene. Also note how the scene colours truly complement one another in the most captivating way.