After hearing about those "dark warehouses" in China—where robots build products in complete darkness—I had a strange dream. In it, as the light returns, the robots begin to interact with nature, and this connection gradually brings light back into their workspace. With this project, I wanted to have some fun while sharpening my lighting skills. Using a robotic armmodel created by Gerardo Justel (with some personal modifications) , I experimented with various lighting scenarios: backlighting, lighting through translucent materials, neon lights, gobos—you name it. It was truly a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy this one.
A PHOTOGRAPHIC APPROACH
First I worked with a lighting and vibe that feels like done in a photo studio. The challenge was to make the robot and the petals work nicely together looking as natural as possible. The contrast between the organic nature of the petals VS the cold and tech look of the robot is something I found truly interesting.
First I worked with a lighting and vibe that feels like done in a photo studio. The challenge was to make the robot and the petals work nicely together looking as natural as possible. The contrast between the organic nature of the petals VS the cold and tech look of the robot is something I found truly interesting.
BRIGHT SCENE & GOBOS
Right after playing with a dark studio setup I wanted to go to the opposite side and give it a go to a brighter environment while using shadows in the background (known as "gobos") to create a sense of comfort.
Right after playing with a dark studio setup I wanted to go to the opposite side and give it a go to a brighter environment while using shadows in the background (known as "gobos") to create a sense of comfort.
OUT OF THE DARK
Here I wanted to try emulation those gorgeous renders of cars in dark scenes where you understand what the object is even when it is not fully lighted up. Hight contrast and gradients that feel like landscapes of grey.
Here I wanted to try emulation those gorgeous renders of cars in dark scenes where you understand what the object is even when it is not fully lighted up. Hight contrast and gradients that feel like landscapes of grey.
BRIGHT BACKLIGHT & LIGHT STRIPES
Making the scene feel "romantic" is something I have been trying to inject from the start. In this case, I wanted to add a second robot and show them in such a way that it is hard to tell where one starts and the other ends, like when we are hugging those we love and somehow we become one. By adding those stripes of light I tried my best to bring some warm vibes that reinforce this sense of holding or hugging each other.
Making the scene feel "romantic" is something I have been trying to inject from the start. In this case, I wanted to add a second robot and show them in such a way that it is hard to tell where one starts and the other ends, like when we are hugging those we love and somehow we become one. By adding those stripes of light I tried my best to bring some warm vibes that reinforce this sense of holding or hugging each other.
NEON AND LASER
Neons in dark scenes can turn really interesting, but what about having them is brighter scenes? This was an interesting challenge. On top of that here I wanted to explore including laser on top of the deconstructed robots.
Neons in dark scenes can turn really interesting, but what about having them is brighter scenes? This was an interesting challenge. On top of that here I wanted to explore including laser on top of the deconstructed robots.
BACKLIGHT & TRANSLUCENCY
I must admit that I love working with translucent objects while they are quite hard to deal with specially in low light conditions.
I must admit that I love working with translucent objects while they are quite hard to deal with specially in low light conditions.
