Adding Shadows

Figure 10-24: Darkness and shadow help add a sense of realism, depth, and mood to an otherwise simple still life.

f1024.tif

Don’t be too quick to create an abundance of light in your scene—eager to show off your models and textures. Shrouding objects in darkness and shadow is just as important as revealing them in light. You can say a lot visually by not showing parts of a whole, leaving some interpretation to the audience.

A careful balance of light and dark is important for a composition. As Figure 10-24 shows, the realism of a scene is greatly increased with the simple addition of well-placed shadows. Don’t be afraid of the dark. Use ...

Get Introducing Maya® 2011 now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.