Overview
Lighting is one of the most important elements that determines how your 3D scene looks. No matter how excellent your models and materials are, poor lighting will diminish their appeal. This article explains the fundamentals for achieving realistic lighting in Blender.
Types of Lights
Blender has 4 basic light types. Add them via Shift + A → "Light".
| Light | Characteristics | Primary Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Point | Radiates light in all directions from a point | Light bulbs, lamps, candles |
| Sun | Parallel rays, cast from infinite distance | Sunlight, outdoor scenes |
| Spot | Casts light in a cone shape | Spotlights, flashlights |
| Area | Radiates light from a surface, soft shadows | Window light, studio lighting |
Light Settings
Detailed settings are available in Properties → Light (bulb icon).
Common settings:
- Color - Light color
- Power - Light intensity (in watts)
Spotlight specific:
- Size - Spread angle of the light
- Blend - Softness of the light edge
Area light specific:
- Shape - Rectangle, ellipse, square, disk
- Size - Size of the light source (larger = softer shadows)
3-Point Lighting
This is a fundamental lighting technique used in film and photography.
1. Key Light (Main Light)
- The strongest light source
- Placed at approximately 45 degrees in front of the subject
- Determines the overall brightness of the scene
2. Fill Light (Secondary Light)
- Placed on the opposite side of the key light
- Weaker than key light (about 50%)
- Softens shadows
3. Back Light (Rim Light)
- Placed behind the subject
- Highlights the outline, separates subject from background
- Also called rim light
Placement Tips
[Back Light]
↓
[Subject]
↙ ↘
[Key] [Fill]
(Strong) (Weak)
Environment Lighting with HDRI
Using HDRI (High Dynamic Range Images) makes it easy to achieve photorealistic environmental lighting.
Setting Up HDRI
- Shader Editor → Switch to "World"
- "Add" → "Texture" → "Environment Texture"
- "Open" to select an HDRI image
- Connect Environment Texture Color → World Output Background
Free HDRI Sources
- Poly Haven: https://polyhaven.com/hdris
- HDRI Haven: https://hdrihaven.com/
Shadow Control
Realistic shadows add depth to your scene.
Soft Shadows vs Hard Shadows
- Soft shadows: Created by area lights, large light sources
- Hard shadows: Created by point lights, small light sources
Real-world shadows are usually soft, so area lights are recommended.
Adjusting Shadow Darkness
For Cycles:
- Adjust light power
- Brighten shadow areas with fill light
For Eevee:
- Light settings → "Shadow" → Adjust "Softness"
Lighting Tips
1. Observe Reality
Observe how light falls in everyday life and use it as reference.
2. Be Aware of Light Color
- Morning/Evening: Orange to reddish tones
- Midday: Slightly bluish white
- Indoor lighting: Warm (incandescent) or cool (fluorescent)
3. Use Contrast
Being conscious of the difference between light and dark areas enables dramatic expression.
4. Hide Light Sources
Positioning lights so they don't appear in the camera creates a more natural look.
Common Problems
Scene is Too Dark
Try the following:
- Increase light power
- Adjust HDRI intensity
- Adjust exposure in render settings
Shadows are Pure Black
Try the following:
- Add fill light
- Add environment lighting (HDRI)
- For Eevee, enable Ambient Occlusion
Light Doesn't Look Realistic
Try the following:
- Use area lights for soft shadows
- Match light source size to reality
- Use multiple light sources
Summary
- 4 Light Types: Point, Sun, Spot, Area
- 3-Point Lighting: Key, Fill, Back - the basic setup
- HDRI: Easy realistic environment lighting
- Area Lights: Natural shadows with soft edges
Lighting greatly affects your render results. Master the basics, then experiment with various situations.