In Week 11, I focused on lighting and camera for my Narcissus scene in UE5. My main goal was to create a calm and reflective mood around the small lake. I tested different light directions and intensity to see how they change the depth of the space and the feeling of reflection. I tried to keep the light soft and controlled, because I do not want the scene to feel too dramatic. I also paid attention to shadows, since clear shadows help the environment read better and make the scene feel more real.
I used Ultra Dynamic Sky to support my lighting and camera tests for the Narcissus scene. UDS helped me keep the sky and the main light consistent, so the lake reflection and highlights felt more believable. I noticed that UDS can also control exposure through its own post process settings, so sometimes my normal Post Process Volume settings did not work as expected. After I understood this, I could decide whether to adjust exposure inside UDS or let my Post Process Volume control the look. This made my lighting workflow clearer and more stable for the reflective mood.
For the camera work, I followed the tutorial advice to keep shots clear and purposeful. I tested several camera heights and angles, and I tried to guide the viewer’s eye towards the lake. I also used many quick cuts between the reflection and the real body. I did this to show the tension between what Narcissus sees and what is real. I cut from the water surface to the character’s face or body, and I used close-ups for the reflection and wider shots for the environment. I also kept the framing consistent, so the fast switching feels clear, not confusing. Overall, these lighting and camera tests helped me make the reflection feel like a key character in the scene.