@mike amos said:
Thanks mate, struggling with light settings again, there must be a decent balance in there somewhere. Probably rolled under the Sofa.
Hi Mike,
I do not know your background in rendering so sorry if this instead advice ends being patronizing.
So what I preach to all of my students is to take one step at a time:
- If you have outside light that contributes to your scene lighting you should start with that one first.
Use your real-world sense for that light, it is not the same in the morning, mid-day, or sunset. Get as many real photo references. - After you are satisfied with the first light you get to your fil light in your room, like a ceiling lamp (not spotlights/directional).
It should be what you expect from that kind of light source, flood space with light, not too strong in this case since you go with that fireplace mood. - And last, accent lights like those spotlights, should get interesting localized shadows and put objects in focus if that is the intention.
- That fire should get some warm light in space and spill some of that onto the floor and near objects.
- Since I do not like light portals (extra light setups) like in real-world interior photography for magazines and alike I skipped that part.
All of my students are Interior Designers and those setups are not true to the space they design for clients.
All that together or some of that combination should get you to the point where your story is told in words you chose.
Light Is the first and last thing that gets tweaked.
Hope I helped with this sermon of mine.