February 2026 - DAZ 3D New User Challenge - Lighting and Light Effects

Linwelly · February 2

Beginner Challenge:

"Lighting"

This month's focus will be on how you light your image. Lighting is what defines and enhances the viewer's experience when looking at an image. Lighting helps a viewer to "see" the story. The presence of light, or the lack thereof, provides us with the ability to believe the world we are looking at. It can tell us if an object is round, whether it is close or far away, what colors were used and even if the surface is reflective. As an artist, it will be your ability to master the use of light, that will set you apart from the others. Below is a source list of lighting tutorials, articles and videos that will help you understand how to use your software, the different techniques used to light a scene, and the theory behind why lighting is needed. This list is not comprehensive; it is just a starting point.

Also, keep in mind the topics we've covered during previous challenges. Build upon what you have learned to create a compelling image to light this month.

This year of New User challenges is just getting started. So far this year we have covered :

Composition

Other Helpful Links:

When following tutorials, be cognizant of the different applications (Bryce, Daz Studio, Poser, Carrara Blender, etc.) and different render engines (3Delight, Iray, Reality, etc). Techniques for one may not apply directly to another.

How to Use Your Software:

DAZ Studio
VII - Lights
Daz 101: Lighting (video)
Point Lights, the Basics

DAZ Studio Lights Tutorial - Presets - 3D Software (this contains undressed characters that's why it has a warning at the start, just so you know)

Iray
Creating and Lighting a Scene with Iray in DAZ Studio by SickleYield
Lighting and Tone Mapping in Iray by SickleYield

Regarding ghostlights which had some changes since DAZ studio updated: https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/551301/ghost-lights-what-s-happening-and-what-s-next/p1

Poser
Poser Pro 11 Tutorial: Lighting, Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjCkDHWX6VM
Poser Pro 11 Tutorial: Lighting, Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_paY90kz40
POSER Tutorial Lesson 3: Lights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3m4Xy5lPrE

Bryce
Artist’s guide page 125
Thoughts on Lighting in Bryce 7.1 by Rashad
Bryce: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C772CuZ6RgI
Bryce: http://www.bryce-tutorials.info/bryce-tutorials/lighting-and-skies.html#
Bryce: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-Pe-IVp_dY

Theory:
Mastering Lighting in Blender the first 25 minutes of the video is relevant for everyone not just blender users.

Lighting Basics:

http://www.3drender.com/light/3point.html
http://bensimonds.com/2010/06/03/lighting-tips-from-the-masters/

I will be showing you examples of how to use lights during the month, without any purchase required

For a list of the current contest rules, please see this thread: Challenge Rules

Closing Date: February 29, 2026

Linwelly · February 2

Intermediate Challenge:

"Light Effects"

This is a general render challenge with the focus on using varous Light Effects, such as Gels and Gobos. We are providing you with some links on the topics from a variety of sources.

Gobos can be used to make interesting shadows and patterns, such as leaves, window blinds, geometric shapes, etc. Your imagination is the only limitation.

Gobos and Gels can be used in both 3Delight and Iray. There are many products in the DAZ Store or, if you are really adventurous, you can try to make your own.

This is as well where you can play around with bloom and all the fancy sliders in the tone mapping and environment settings

Gobo and Color Gel Lights Definition, Explanations and Examples

Gobo / Gel Light Definition

Color Gel

Gobo Light Portrait Examples

Gel Light Portrait images Examples

Gobo vs Light Gel

Gel Light Tutorials:

DAZ Studio Tutorial – Light Gels and “no poke through”

Daz Studio Lighting Tutorial - Gel Lights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-BUXBjeQ9w

Daz Studio Iray Tutorial: How to Make Your Own Gel Light - text tutorial

Tone mapping and environment:

Tone Mapping DAZ Documentation

DazStudio Iray Render Settings - Tone Mapping - Guide With Examples (DAZ Forum Discussion)

Daz3d Tutorial | How To Use Tone Mapping (youtube by Steven Davis)

[Tutorial] Lighting and Tone Mapping In Iray (DeviantArt tutorial by SickleYield)

Environment (DAZ Documentation)

Closing Date: February 29, 2026

I will be showing you examples for this during the month, without any purchase required

Nightfly · February 4

My intermediate Challenge:

This is a rework from a older project.
Some lighting effects have been added here.

Elor · February 4

I don't see your picture.

If you're hosting it on Daz Gallery, they changed the way pictures are displayed and after, at best, 15 minutes, they will not be visible anymore on the forum.

Now, you need to attach the picture to your message before including it in your message.

Nightfly · February 4

Elor said:

Now, you need to attach the picture to your message before including it in your message.

Thank you, I hope it works now.

Linwelly · February 4

Elor said:

I don't see your picture.

If you're hosting it on Daz Gallery, they changed the way pictures are displayed and after, at best, 15 minutes, they will not be visible anymore on the forum.

Now, you need to attach the picture to your message before including it in your message.

good point, thanks for mentioning this

Linwelly · February 4

Nightfly said:

Elor said:

Now, you need to attach the picture to your message before including it in your message.

Thank you, I hope it works now.

yes it works well when the image gets attached. great start, are you using a gel light for the blue? maybe add one with a fancy pattern for the club feeling?

Shinji Ikari 9th · February 4

Got something started here. Trying to use a FPS type of look without the main lights being the main light source. Need to work on converting textures over to IRay and the like.

Nightfly · February 5

Linwelly said:

are you using a gel light for the blue? maybe add one with a fancy pattern for the club feeling?

No, that's just a spotlight.
I'm going to try a few more things because something's still missing.

sueya · February 6

My entry for the Intermediate challenge -used Film Noir Portrait lighting

Linwelly · February 7

very nice work sueya!, now zoom in, so we get to see only the area with the stipe shadow

Nightfly · February 8

2nd attempt:
I expanded the lighting with 2 gel lights and made the fog in the background a bit denser.

Linwelly · February 8

I like where this is going!

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