The lighting in #TheLastofUsPartII is so subtle, so mature, and so tough to pull off. 
It's a world with almost no artificial lights. Mostly indirect natural light from an overcast weather.
It's very hard to have artistic control over the lighting of scenes in such conditions. Instead of just placing lights, it's more about strategically layering dense areas plunged in penumbra with better lit zones, creating interesting contrasts thanks to mist, fog & reflections.
With little incoming light, colors are washed out, contrast is low. Hence why colors pop in summer & fade in winter.
A good rule in low light situation is to drench environments. Most materials get darker when wet, yet they have a chance to reflect something bright like the sky.
A good rule in low light situation is to drench environments. Most materials get darker when wet, yet they have a chance to reflect something bright like the sky.
I'm very impressed with the naturalistic look they went for. Really hard to control, yet they masterfully made it visually pleasing.
Look at that pitch black soft penumbra under trees, this is very rare in games. Anyone who walked in a forest during a cloudy day knows that feel.
Look at that pitch black soft penumbra under trees, this is very rare in games. Anyone who walked in a forest during a cloudy day knows that feel.
We can probably thank @booncotter and his team for the insane work on lighting, and @digitalfoundry for the early footage. Can't wait to play the game this Friday and discover what you all crafted for so long for us.
