Question about HDRI lighting + viewport/env map

[stayinwonderland]

I've just started to consider trying HDRI lighting instead of the vray default sky. Had a few niggles which i'm close to ironing out, namely that if I used the same HDR for the viewport background/environment map, the sky would always look really dim until I ramped up the values on the HDR so much that reflections would blow up and the sky itself would look unatrual.

 

I have found a nice way to set up HRD as far as reflections are concerned but the if I tilt the camera so I can see above the horizon, the sky looks dim as I mentioned.

 

So, is it common to use one HDR image for the lighting and then another for the actual environment map which our camera sees?

 

I've been aiming for a sky like this.

 

Thanks.

[zhopudey]

You can use the same hdr with different exposures for the environment, reflection and lighting ( in case you are using a dome light).

[LukeC]

If you have your hdr in the vray environment slot and a copy of the hdr in your background, try unticking affect background under the color mapping rollout, that should stop it from being blown out.

 

Give it a shot - it may or may not work.

[stayinwonderland]

Thanks guys, some interesting and useful tips there!