Looking for Lighting Feedback on My UE5 Scene

Chelle21

Hey everyone! I’m currently working on a cinematic scene in Unreal Engine 5 and would love some feedback—especially on the lighting. I’m still fine-tuning the textures alongside the lighting, but my goal is to create a soft, nostalgic mood—something that feels like a distant memory from the early 1940s or late 30's.

I’ve been staring at it for so long that I could really use some fresh eyes. Any thoughts or suggestions, particularly on how the lighting reads, would mean a lot!

Thanks in advance 😊

Eric Chadwick

What are you using for your primary reference?

My first impression is the lighting lacks "focus" so it is evenly lit all over. Plus the colors are too saturated. 

Unfortunately most stock "photos" are AI generated these days, but you should be able to find some real photography if you look around a bit.

Noren

I remember that from the modeling/dressing stage.

I does look soft and nostalgic, but it's also a bit hard to read, especially if you consider the gramophone to be your main subject. Metal does tend to have high contrast, but here, the silhouette and general shapes are a bit lost, especially since the light casts a busy pattern on the wall behind it as well. Perhaps try squinting your eyes and look at the scene that way. Maybe try to move it into the light if you want to keep the general light direction or adjust both.

What is the yellow glowing cone to the left of the gramophone? Is that an overbright particle with a post effect or a light? 

Edit: Eric's image shows a good example regarding silhouette and readability.
Contact shadows/ AO seem to be missing as well.

Eric Chadwick

Also, not quite sure what this foggy thing is, doesn't seem to match the sunlight direction.