Book Description

Time-tested lighting strategies that will improve the quality of a portrait are detailed in this book for beginning photographers. Terminology used by industry pros is explained, the equipment needed to create professional results is outlined, and the unique role that each element of the lighting setup plays in the studio is explored. Photographers learn how color, direction, form, and contrast affect the final portrait. The concise text, photo examples, and lighting diagrams enable photographers to easily achieve traditional lighting styles that have been the basis of good portraiture since the advent of the art. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Learning from a master
Christopher Grey is a master of photographic lighting, and this expertise shines through in his latest book, appropriately titled, Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers. Grey eases his readers into the topic with a discussion on the properties and quality of light and a review of modern lighting equipment, both store-bought and homemade. Then, after an informative chapter on lighting ratios (a frequently misused and misunderstood term) he embarks on an instructive and comprehensive journey that covers everything from classic lighting styles to the advanced lighting methods used by today's top studio photographers. Beautiful color photos and helpful diagrams complement each scenario.

Grey's writing is conversational and witty, which is a blessing when one is digesting material that, in duller texts, can quickly veer off into technical mumbo jumbo. In addition to his lighting information, he sprinkles every chapter with plenty of useful advice - things he's learned during his 30-year career - for saving money, choosing backdrops, building trust with subjects, capturing better expressions and much, much more. I'd recommend the book to anyone interested in portrait photography. The photographs alone are well worth the purchase price, but the lessons enabling readers to create similarly stunning photos make the book an extremely good value. ... Read more

Book Description

Aimed at photographers who pack away their cameras as soon as light levels fall, this brilliant book shows how, with just a little skill and imagination, even amateurs can produce breathtaking photographs in nighttime or low-light settings.The guide begins with a clear explanation of technical aspects that must be considered, such as the best equipment to use for low-light indoor or nighttime outdoor shots, which color and black-and-white films to choose, how to ensure correct exposure in tricky situations, and details relating to both natural and artificial light. The book then tackles a wide range of themes and lighting situations, presenting specific guidance for shooting low-light landscapes, portraits, buildings, carnivals, fireworks displays, and weather phenomena such as lightning, sunrises, and sunsets. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Excellent Choice
Must say that this is a very well written book. I am not among the ones who can concentrate enough to complete any book end-to-end, but this one really got me glued on.
The book takes you through the nity-grities of the camera and its accessories like the lens, the filters, the tripods, etc. After this, it has dedicated chapters that will explain shooting techniques in various situations like Christmas, Times Square, Night landscapes, etc. Plus, a good section on painting with Flash light is really interesting.
Been halfway thru the book and already started workin my Nikon in Manual mode with great results.
Proud of myself for having bought this book. ;)

Great book for those starting up in low-light photography
Quite a valuable addition to my photo books collection. For a beginner in the night-time photography, a must have, full of tips, techniques and actual useful numbers, such as shutter speeds, apertures, reciprocity breakdown correction values etc. in different low-light situations. Those guys who say the actual numbers are not there did NOT read the book - they flipped through it without paying attention. To sum up - for a beginner in low-light picture taking, a good buy for the money. (...)

fantastic book
one of the best books on the subject i have come across, very well structured with chapters starting from some basics, passing into the choice of equipment, and films, then a thorough exhusting chapter on exposure and metering, it also contains excellent chapters describing different situations and how to handle them...
the pictures are really stimulating, but in order to get similar results you need a heavy weight pocket, as most of the photos were taken with fast lens that are not cheap basically, but thats not the books' fault!!
i highly recommend it and i am glad i baught it, at a price so low for it's real value.

Not so bad, but there is better
This book has received some flak from other reviewers for being too basic and I can't say that I completely disagree. I think it works well as a complement to Andrew Sanderson's "Night Photography," which I purchased at the same time as this book. When it comes to actually learning about the "How" and "Why" of night photography, this book lacks solid advice about taking quality pictures. If you're looking for those things out of a book, go with the Sanderson book and not this one. My feeling on this book is that it can be a creative tool... something to help get ideas or inspiration, but when it comes to learning new stuff, it falls a little short. I give the author credit because it isn't a terrible book by any means, but I think the title is a little misleading.

Wow
This book is worth the price of admission just as a book of photos. They are fantastic.

But if you are interested, it is full of very practical knowledge of the subject matter. If you take the time to read it all, you're on your way to becoming an expert low light photographer. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I wish I'd known...
This is a very useful book for anyone trying to refine their lighting skills. Each section features a large number of finished shots, and on the opposite page is an easy-to-understand lighting diagram, and a few paragraphs about how the shot was done.

I wish I'd known before buying this book, however, that it includes the complete contents of three Pro Lighting series titles (i.e., Nudes, Erotica and Provocative Shots). The Pro Lighting Series books are great, but you don't need to buy those three if you buy _Lighting the Nude_.

One of the Best in this topic
I like this book very much for several reasons:

1. Great photos - interesting techniques on topics ranging from classical nude to outdoor nude, accessories/props to hair/makeup.

2. Good taste - this is NOT a book filled with sleazy / low-class photos of naked women. I find all of them tending towards modern, fine art types.

3. Superb format - Minimal text with essential descriptions, simple diagrams showing the studio setup, camera settings

4. Good value - Hardcover with 400 over pages (each with clear examples), printed in in full color on glossy paper.

I use this book as a source of ideas and to experiment with different lighting setups.

Comparisions:
There are numerious books on this topic, and I've read many others. This book is similar to "Lighting for Nude Photography" (also by Rotovision) - "Lighting The Nude" is twice as thick and provides more ideas/techniques. If you like Prolighting series books - which has great illustrations and simple instructions, you will love this. But if you like long-winded, text-intensive book, telling you stories about each picture, then this is not for you. Another book I like is "Successful Glamour Photography" by John Kelly but this book is a little old now. ... Read more

Book Description

This highly respected text, now in paperback, has been thoroughly updated and revised. It introduces a logical theory of photographic lighting --- one that teaches beginning photographers to predict results before setting up lights. This is not primarily a how-to book with only set examples for photographers to follow. Rather, Light: Science and Magic provides the reader with a comprehensive theory of the nature and principles of light to allow individual photographers to use lighting to express their own creativity. Numerous photographs and illustrations provide clear examples of the theories delineated within the text, while sidebars highlight special lighting questions.

Although styles of photographic lighting continue to change, Light: Science and Magic does not go out of fashion because it is not based on style; rather it is based on the behavior of light. These principles will not change until fundamental physics does.

*Now in paperback
*Highly respected text on lighting theory covering the principles, applications, and equipment for informed lighting decisions
*Sidebars highlight special lighting questions ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Photography is all about light
Whether you're a beginner with a point-and-shoot or a professional with a huge investment in equipment, you need to know how light works. This book can teach you everything you need to know. It has both theory and practical guidance. The authors don't tell you which lights to use in a given situation -- they teach you how to determine what lighting to use to achieve the effect _you_ want. And they help you select lighting equipment.

To be fair, it's not always an easy read (there's a lot of theory and some math/physics to wade through), but it's worth the effort. I saw the difference in the next roll I shot. I only wish I had found this book a few years ago...

Outstanding and Essential!
Fil Hunter and Paul Fuqua have written a truly essential reference for product photographers and an outstanding educational text for all photographers. Light, Science and Magic teaches its readers the principals of lighting. It describes in detail how to light surfaces, metal, glass, liquids, extremes (black-on-black and white-on-white), and people for different effects. These subjects were chosen because they are reputed to be the most difficult subjects to light. But because the book emphasizes the principals of lighting, those lessons can be applied to all lighting situations. The examples in Light,Science and Magic are in-studio, but the principals apply out-of-doors and anywhere that there is light. You don't need to have a background in studio photography or a knowledge of lighting equipment to understand and benefit from this book. You need to have only a good understanding of exposure and camera operation. Information on basic lighting equipment is found in the appendices for those who are unfamiliar with studio equipment. Because the principals of lighting apply equally to film photography and digital image capture, most of this book's content will not go out of date. No photographer should be without the knowledge in this book. If you can absorb all of the book's content, there is nothing that you will encounter in all your photographic adventures that you won't know how to light to get the effect you want. It is well worth its price!

if you are a photographer - buy it!
Learn how light and lighting really work so thta you can create the looks and effects you want. This book explains the principles of lighting in a very easy to understand way. It does not contain a ton of lighting diagrams to copy.

Once you understand the principles, you own them. You will be able to light - with a little practice.

The Best Book On Studio Lighting Fundamentals
This is NOT a book with a bunch of recipes for lighting specific subjects.

Instead, this is a book on what photographers really need to know to effectively light just about anything in the studio.

This book talks about types of reflections and the nature of reflected light. You will learn how to light people, very reflective metal, transparent glass, and and various combinations.

I am a professional photographer and this book gave me a better foundation on WHY to light things a particular way. I feel much more confident in my lighting skills and I think my work has improved. (If only someone would write a similar book on how to get clients to pay faster!)

The book flows from simple to complex in a very logical and easy to follow way. There are plenty of relevent diagrams and example photos too.

If you do any studio work with artificial lighting this is the very next book you should by.

You realy learn ligthing with this book
The authors teach how the light works and its relationship with the objects that it illuminate in a plain language.
Using several examples, they teach how to light the most common and harder subjects.
You won't find recipes of how you must light, but you will learn how and why to light in a specific way.
Really a very good book. ... Read more

Book Description

This book teaches the beginning 35mm/Digital photographer (9th grade level) the simple and practical methods of correctly exposing a subject. It covers in detail the applications of a camera's meter, an off-camera spotmeter, an off-camera incident meter, and easy-to-remember techniques for exposing sunlit to moonlit subjects without a meter. The book uses Farzad's simplified 5-stop technique using 100 ISO color slide film as its base, but the same techniques can be applied to digital, black and white, as well as color negative photography. Since all the thinking is done before the photographer takes the picture, the book is ideal for the new millennium's photographers using one-hour processing labs or Photo Editing software such as Photoshop on their Computers. The highest level of math required from the reader, to follow the technique, is to be able to multiply and divide a number by two. This book is also the world’s first Zone System book that addresses the application of the Zone System of exposure with manual digital cameras. This 3rd edition (November 2003) also includes manual exposure/spotmetering cheat sheets for the following cameras: Canon EOS 3, Canon EOS 10D (D-Slr), Canon EOS A2 / A2e, Canon EOS Elan 7 E, Canon EOS Rebel 2000, Canon EOS Rebel Ti (300V), Canon PowerShot G3 (Digital), Canon PowerShot G5 (Digital), Minolta Maxxum 5, Minolta Maxxum 7, Minolta Maxxum 9, Minolta Maxxum STsi, Nikon CoolPix 990 (Digital), Nikon CoolPix 995 (Digital), Nikon CoolPix 4500 (Digital), Nikon CoolPix 5000 (Digital), Nikon CoolPix 5700 (Digital), Nikon F4, Nikon F5, Nikon F100, Nikon N55, Nikon N60, Nikon N65, Nikon N70, Nikon N75, Nikon N80, Nikon N90/N90S, Nikon N6006, Nikon N8008s, Pentax 645N (Medium Format), Pentax ist (*ist), Pentax MZ-S, Pentax PZ1p, Pentax ZX-5N, and Sony DSC-F717 (Digital). ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Hats Off to the Author
As someone who has taught the zone system at the college level for many years, I find this book to be both helpful to any photographer - and faithful to the fundmentals of the zone system. Clear graphics and text combine to take much of the mystery out of exposure control. No camera, no matter how expensive, can guarantee the right exposure - that's always a creative decision. This book will help you understand that process. The "cheat sheets" at the end of the book can help anyone to take creative control back from the high tech camera and put it in their hands and heart - where it belongs.

An SLR Beginner's Book
I bought myself my first SLR just recently. I have never heard about the zone system before but had the opportunity to use manual SLRs (Canon AE1 Program) several years back so I had some idea about the features available to an SLR; but it was just "point and shoot and hope the picture turns out well" kind of stuff.

Anyway, the book is quite simple to understand. It really gave me a good idea on how the camera metering works and how to go about using the SLR in manual mode. I now enjoy using the manual mode of my camera instead of the auto features. However, the discussion sometimes becomes too simple (specially the analogies) that I get lost at times. Better stick to the actual context on the camera subject than the analogies. The illustration pages could've been printed in color for the readers to appreciate how the author exposed the pictures.

Finally, on my last few notes, the index section is a bit messed up. The last topic on the last page was not completed. But it's not that significant and I belive you would not lose that much info.

Perfect for digital photography!
This guy isn't just trying to sell books or prove how talented he is. You can tell that the author is a teacher and has lots of experience helping people learn about exposure.

If you're a somewhat experienced photographer, you might find your eyes crossing for the first couple of chapters because of how boring and repetitious they are. The author doesn't want to leave anyone behind, so it's kind of a slow paced book. However, if you can make it through those chapters and read the whole book you will find yourself completely understanding photographic exposure. I've been taking pictures for years with some nice cameras and this is the first time I've ever felt comfortable and confident about the pictures I was taking.

Another thing that's awesome about this book is that it is perfect for digital camera users. Let me say this:

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK IF YOU USE A DIGITAL CAMERA. OTHER BOOKS LIKE "THE NEGATIVE" WHILE INFORMATIVE WILL JUST LEAVE YOU CONFUSED WHEN IT COMES TO SHOOTING DIGITAL.

As far as I know this is the only book on photographic exposure that's very well suited for digital photography.

Another thing that I really like about this book is that the author is a teacher and has a lot of experience teaching the subject matter to his students. He probably knows from teaching what people find confusing and how to best explain it to them. You'll be reading along and something may seem a little confusing. Well, before you have a chance to rack your brain about it, the author addresses it and puts it into laymen's terms. Sometimes he explains the same concept two or three different ways.

One last comment on the book. I also appreciated the fact that he threw in lots of extra stuff that wasn't really necessary like different ways to figure out exposure under different circumstances without an exposure meter or a spot meter. He covers lighting, moonlight, and even fireworks. He even helped me understand why the Ansel Adams approach to the Zone System didn't really work with my digital camera. I've used my camera like ten times as much since reading this book.

I noticed a couple of poor reviews right before I started writing this one. It seems that some people find it to be a little too simple. Remember, this is not an advanced book. The words "simplified" and "confused" in the title might have tipped you off! If you already understand the zone system, how to use your cameras spot meter, and how to use a light meter to get good exposures, then this book is definitely not for you. However, if you're afraid to put your camera on manual mode and aren't quite sure how to get a good exposure with your camera, then this is the book for you.

Simple Concepts For Simple People
the book obviously seeks to ensure that it doesn't confuse. To do so it assumes it is addressing 10 year olds. Whilst this means it eventually gets its concepts across, it could of saved my time. Other books on exposure get the same ideas across, but in a more expedient manner (at least for adults).

In the end the Zone system and exposure is a matter of judgement (as to the level of contrast, where the tone of the main subject lies etc) and no amount of simplification can get passed that.

If you haven't been able to understand exposure concepts...
then this is the book for you. Most people will find the book quite repetitious and rather basic in parts, but if you read it cover to cover, you will understand how to correctly expose an image, no matter how much difficulty you may have had in the past grasping the concepts of exposure.

One key thing to note -- the book is written for photographers who shoot slide film. The author has added a few "digital footnotes," but it is still a book about correctly exposing slide film. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very nice illustrations
This book shows the way the lighting is set up on a 3d format, and also shows the end result. I was happy with this book and plan to use the lighting for more than just nudes.

Fantastic Book
This is an excellent buy. In addition to the gorgeous pictures by well-known and highly talented artists, the diagrams and equiptment information really allows you to crawl inside the artists' head. Check out Carson Zullinger's work on pp. 36 and 104. He captures glorious color and weightlessness in a way I haven't seen before. Very original and amazingly talented.

informative and beautiful
This book shows some of the best photographers and how they go about creating their images. A must read for professionals and amateurs. If you have ever thought of trying this genre, this is a must have publication. ... Read more

Book Description

World’s first book written to illustrate the on-camera spot metering technique for 35mm, Digital, and Medium Format photographers:

All types of metering systems used in different cameras (with the exception of the on-camera spotmeter operated by a skilled photographer) use a "cookie-cutter" approach to photographic exposure. What this means is the camera meter measures the various tones of your subject, and then averages all of the tones in order to come up with an overall exposure. Sometimes the overall exposure works and sometimes it doesn't. With this approach, the ball is in the camera's court and in many instances the photographer has no hand in the final look of the image. With on-camera spotmetering, the photographer uses a "tailored" approach to find the correct exposure for a very specific subject. With this approach, the skilled photographer interprets the spotmeter readings from the subject and establishes the correct exposure that captures the desired image (what the eye sees) on film. The consistency and flexibility of the narrow-angled spotmeter makes it the most powerful and versatile exposure tool in existance today. The only catch in using a spotmeter is that the photographer must have the skill to use this powerful tool correctly and effectively. The Confused Photographer's Guide to On-Camera Spotmetering does just that! It is simple, easy-to-follow, and uses a common-sense teaching approach to the material. With more than seventy full-page illustrations, it is designed to get the beginner and the intermediate photographer started in a couple of days. I assume that you have a camera with a built-in spotmetering (partial metering) feature. I also assume that you have a ninth grade education and are willing to learn. To facilitate your learning process, I have included a two page cheat sheets for each of the following cameras: Canon EOS 10D Digital Slr, Canon EOS 20D Digital Slr, Canon EOS 3, Canon EOS A2/A2E, Canon EOS Elan 2E, Canon EOS Elan 7E, Canon EOS Rebel 2000, Canon EOS Rebel Ti/300V, Canon PowerShot G3 Digital, Canon PowerShot G5 Digital, Minolta Maxxum 5, Minolta Maxxum 7, Minolta Maxxum 9, Minolta Maxxum StSi, Nikon CoolPix 990 Digital, Nikon CoolPix 995 Digital, Nikon CoolPix 4500 Digital, Nikon CoolPix 5700 Digital, Nikon Coolpix 5000 Digital, Nikon Coolpix 8700 Digital, Nikon D70 Digital Slr, Nikon F4, Nikon F5, Nikon F100, Nikon N50, Nikon N55, Nikon N60, Nikon N6006, Nikon N65, Nikon N70, Nikon N75, Nikon N80, Nikon N8008s, Nikon N90/N90s, Pentax *ist, Pentax *ist-D Digital SLR, Pentax 645N Medium Format, Pentax MZ-S, Pentax PZ-1P, Pentax ZX-5N, and Sony DSC-F717 Digital. If your camera is not listed here, you will still be able to learn the technique and apply it successfully. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

An Excellent Primer on Achieving Accurate Exposure
The Problem: How to get your camera to accurately expose for scenes of widely varying colors and contrast when your camera's built in meter can only see the world as 18% Gray?

The Answer: Read this book!!

In one bold stroke (one brief, lucid book) Mr. Farzad has completely de-mystified the technique of achieving proper exposure on color slide (and negative) film. His explanations are quite clear and simply presented without sacrificing the more subtle aspects of the "art" of exposure control. The book clearly explains the power and limitations of the on-camera spotmeter, basically teaching you how the meter "sees" the world. Once armed with this knowledge it is an easy step to then understand the proper use of exposure compensation in order to produce the kind of pictures that you want. Reading the book is like having a private lesson from the kind of teacher who can make even the most complex subject seem utterly simple. I particularly liked the analogies and graphics that he used to reinforce the concepts. The book can be easily read in a few hours and they are hours well spent. In addition, the book contains appendices with additional more advanced material (if desired) as well as exposure "cheat sheets" for most of todays available 35mm SLR's. In my opinion, reading this book is the quickest and cheapest path to improving your images. It should be the first book you read after the camera manual.

THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ!
Bahman Farzad is a marvelous teacher. If he can teach me he can teach anyone. I have been taking photos for 20 years and never knew how to do it correctly. I bought high end cameras and used them in Programmed Auto mode. I went digital a few years ago and did the same thing....Programmed Auto. I recently purchased a Nikon 5700 and have been stuggling with it. I was ready to give up. Then someone told me about this book. It has made all the difference imaginable. I had to reread some but finally the "lights went on". For taking digital or film photographs this is a book that everyone who picks up a camera should read. Actually I bought both of his books and don't regret it for a moment.

You can have all the camera technology money can buy but if you don't know the basics.......why bother.

Don't get me wrong...I am not Ansel Adams. But I do know how to take photos in Manual mode, spot meter and make correct exposure decisions all because I read these books.

Too much paper for too little concept
I know spot metering is becoming a luxury in many consumer grade cameras and only true hobbyist would acknowledge its value in existence. However, this book simply uses too much real estate to decribe a concept that could have concisely decribed in half of the space provided. There isn't enough color examples to illustrate how to take readings in real life situations. A substantial section to describe individual camera operation is not that useful since it duplicates what should have provided from the owner manual of the camera.

Great book!
This is a great book. It teaches step by step and with good examples and exercises in every chapter. Before reading the book I knew almost anything about sportmetering and kept using centerweighted and matrix metering, both are Ok and have their own particular uses but now spot is my choice. Worth the price and highly recommended!

The Best Book on the Subject of Spot Metering!
Too many photo "how to" books slide right over the importance of metering, especially spot metering. You wonder why your photos lack the detail and color that your remembered when you shot that picture. This book is wonderful. It is the only book that I have come across that explains in great detail how the camera works and how to determine the exposure you desire using the spot meter. You will be amazed at how much better your photos will be if you turn off that automatic stuff and let your brain decide what your exposure should be. After you have read those books about aperture, shutter speed and depth of field (they all seem to read the same), read this book to learn how to expose/meter correctly. I am so glad that I did! ... Read more

Book Description

Explores the basic concepts necessary for designing and implementing lighting setups. This text adopts a conceptual approach to lighting, focusing on ideas and setups; it assumes readers have a prior knowledge of equipment. Coverage includes lighting, color control, texture, exposure technique, and elements that create image, 'look,' and mood. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

the best pictorial guide to understand lighting
If you like "scientific" explanations, "Light: science & magic" by Fil Hunter and Paul Fuqua (ISBN 0-240-80275-6) will be a better choice.
If you're lazy and want a "cookbook", rather than understanding, search for this key word -- there are plenty of books showing a scene and how (authors thinks) lights were set for each particular picture they chosen (and, boy, how often they're wrong!).

If you're ready to take a little effort to understand how lighting works, and prefer pictures and charts with short comments over any other style of explanation, this book is the best I've ever seen (and I've looked through a lot of them).

Check this book out before you buy
This book is not for experts. It is a shallow overview of lighting for amateurs. Even for the newbie there is not enough info here to do anything. You get the same info from any intro photography book. You don't learn how to use any lighting equipment. This book is thin and a waste of money in my opinion. Please be sure to check it out at the bookstore before you buy. ... Read more

Book Description

Teaching beginner photographers how to create good, flattering light, this book discusses topics such as proper equipment, developing an eye for form, and positioning equipment to maximize the appeal of a subject. As studio photographers face a host of lighting challenges not often encountered outdoors-from lighting reflective objects to photographing food-this guide provides unexpected tips and surprising solutions for adding a jolt of creativity to images. Step-by-step guidance on using the ordinary to create the extraordinary is provided. With its dual focus on creating lighting styles that are both technically correct and creative, this book shows photographers how to effectively light everything from portraits to product shots with confidence. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The only book on lighting you will ever need!!
I buy a lot of books on photoshop and photographyand this is one book you have to have. Concepts are explained well and bakced up with helpful diagrams. I have been looking for a book the last three year's on Lighting that I could understand and this did.
It even discussses special lighting effects used in high quality studio shots. Having this book will let you cross over from amateur to professional.
Thanks Mr. Marr for a great tome! ... Read more

Book Description

For aspiring photographers ready to transform their work from average to expert, here is the "bible" to lighting any subject and space effectively.In specific but nontechnical terms, Photographic Lighting Simplified explains how to take light sources–from outdoor bright sunlight to indoor household lighting–and recreate their effects in the studio.A series of enjoyable, hands-on assignments show readers tips for selecting the right camera format, film, and lenses; the basics of metering and testing; overviews of essential equipment for studio lighting; and much more.Plus, dozens of step-by-step illustrations demonstrate an array of techniques for lighting reflective metal and glass objects; lighting different face types and groups; and special lighting considerations for digital cameras.For anyone who is serious about taking better photographs, this is the ultimate success guide. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

This Does Make it Simple!
I fell in love with Susan McCartney's photography books when I Mastering the Basics of Photography. This book is just as good at breaking down the elements of light into language and steps even a novice (like me) can understand. I was always frustrated trying to photograph shiny surfaces and trying to capture dramatic shadows. This book has such great tips for dealing with these situations that I actually look for challenging shots now, just to show off what I have learned about lighting.

Introductory Overview Only
I regret to have found this book very disappointing. Susan McCartney's book on travel photography, Travel Photography: A Complete Guide to How to Shoot and Sell, is the very best book on the subject. I've read it twice, some sections even more than twice. I purchased Photographic Lighting Simplified with the same level of quality content in mind. Unfortunately, the book is more "simplified" than what I had hoped for.

The book is very fast and easy to read, but the content is useful only to those with no experience whatsoever in photographic lighting. Susan McCartney has broad experience in lighting, and I was disappointed to find the depth of that experience is not presented in this book. For example, she talks more about traveling with strobes and using flashes for on-location travel photography shoots in her travel photography book than in this one. I would like to have seen more of that experience and knowledge related here.

A book on photographic lighting really needs to be in color with stunningly inspirational photographs. Many of the black and white pictures in this book are really dismal and even technically flawed in some cases. Ms. McCartney is a first-rate photographer and I'm sure the originals are perfect, but the black and white reproductions in this book fall short.

However, those critiques aside, if you have not studied lighting before then this book will provide a good overview for you and introduce you to some new techniques. Those with travel photography in mind should check out Susan McCartney's other book mentioned above. For some really creative lighting techniques try Gary Gladstone's book Corporate & Location Photography.

Basic principals about lishting
Photographic Lighting Simplified is a great book for the beginner like myself. It explains in novice language the details concerning all aspects of photographic lighting. When to use and not to use various lights depending on the situation. The book covers hotlights, flash, strobe lights and accessories. Also covered are exposer-reflective meters to manually set your camera and correct use of the Kodak gray scale for proper exposer. I read the entire 163 pages in about 3 days. The book also has 9 self-assignment for you to try out on you own. All pictures in the book include camera settings and shot detail that make it easy for you to reproduce a similar shot. All photos are in black & white except for the cover page. At first I found this distracting but then realized that black & white photos show the best contrast and light on the subjects in the photographs. I bought the book to improve my knowledge and skills to do lighting for desktop studio photos for Ebay.

Another book that I have heard about but haven't been able to track down yet is Digital Desktop Studio Photography by Rick Ashley & Dennis Curtin. Amazon does not carry this book yet.

Great book if you need to start yourself in lighting
Gives you an overall learning experience from very basic lights and up to the newest technologies, including digital photo, with multiple lights.
In addition it provides some personal assigments so that you can practice what you read.
It is a good investment ... Read more

Book Description

Light is the key to quality glamour photography, and Lighting for Glamour Photography is for any photographer looking to take his or her glamour photography to the next level. Photographers learn how to analyze light; how to make it work for them; and ultimately, how to take better, high-quality glamour photographs. With clear and easy-to-understand diagrams next to each photo explaining how the shot was set up-the position of the lights, the filters, film, camera, and lens used-photographers will feel ready to choose the right equipment, set up their own shots, and get solid results from the beginning. This new edition has been completely updated to include information on digital photography, as well as to reflect current styles in glamour photography. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A mix of old and new
I had been on the waiting list for this new book for several months and finally it arrived today. The key here is that it is the "revised" edition of the one printed in 1994, with about half of the images and text coming from the original book (I have them here opened side-by-side for comparison). I was disappointed in how the publisher simply scanned the old pages of photos and reprinted them with much less quality than the original printing. So going through the book, though the pictures are quite professional and the models are gorgeous, the obvious lack of print quality (quite poor actually) for half of the book is a big detractant for the viewer. The remaining new material is printed well with some stunning examples of glamour photography at its best. David and Duncan - why did you allow Amphoto to ruin your excellent past work with such sloppy printing??!! If one can get past that (and it's difficult), the context of the book is top notch with great advise and new sections on shooting digital. I had to give this book only three stars since the photographic reproduction of the original book's photos were so poor. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

A book that should have been much better
Storaro always got the finest looking prints and lab work,
and his films are stunning ,But the reproductions in this book
look like as bad as the video for "1900",They are printed on
nice paper in a nice hardcover,but the source for these images
is pretty poor,
I would love to see what a 4000 line scanned capture from
the original source would look like printed the same way.
But that would mean getting Studios like Paramount involved,
Which might mean that the book never came out.Since they
can't even be trusted to release his best work on dvd.

It seems odd that Storaro who seems to demand such high Quality
from his labs,would Ok such poor reprints of his films.

Still with so many of his films unavailable on dvd,This Book
is still worth getting.

From shadow and penumbra to multiform light
Writing With Light is a brilliant coffee-table collection of masterful photograph capturing the essence of light, from shadow and penumbra to multiform light, the sun, the moon, and the infinite. The bilingual text in English and Italian fully complements the vivid images, ranging from art, to scenery, to still frames from movies. Writing With Light is an unforgettable visual celebration and one which is especially commended to personal, profess-ional, academic, and community library collections.

A beautiful book and a must have!
for any aspiring cameramen, this is a must have book, Storaro's work is both visually stunning and inspiring, and it is about time that a book celebrating the works of this great master of cinematography is made available. ... Read more

Book Description

Pioneering underwater photographer Jim Church offers a clear cut approach to composition in this concisely written manual that will help all underwater photographers get better results. Packed into this book is more than three decades of practical experience making it a must-read for owners of all types of underwater cameras and housed cameras.

Some of the topics covered are: what attracts viewer’s eye; lenses and perspective; finding underwater subjects; basic wide-angle shots; shooting divers; quickie guide to modeling; composing close-ups; when to take the picture; isolating your subject; placing your subject in the picture; working with patterns; special lighting effects. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Start here and you can't go wrong
This is Jim Church's answer to those who say that you must have a "God given eye" to take great photographs. Jim is above all a teacher. His ability to bring complex ideas down to the level where a novice can comprehend is legendary. His method, rather unique in the world of underwater photography and videography, is not to show you great stuff and say "beat this", but to start with basic principles and work you through until you are automatically seeing the right solution to the situation before you. I would bet that any "name" underwater photographer if asked "where do I start?" would answer "pick up Jim Church's books and read them 3 or 4 times then get in the water.". This book, at less than the cost of 2 rolls of underwater film and developing, should be considered mandatory reading for anyone with a desire to take photographs (or video) underwater.

TIMELESS TEACHINGS
When I started in uderwater photography, I was told by a very wise and respected professional, "Composition cannot be taught ... it is not a concept or a method. The photographer is born with an eye for composition and it is an art." To which Jim Church's book has proven that statement to be "Hogwash, INDEED!" Composition may be a gift, but it is a gift that can be honed and trained, just as Jim Church has done with this book. He has given the reader all the tools, tricks and tips to develop that skill into an art. Liberally sprinkled with the Jim Church wit and humour, this book stands up to reading after reading after reading. This book stands alongside his "Guide to the Nikonos" and his "Underwater Video" books as "bibles" for the ardent underwater photographer. As for Jim Church's method of teaching and guidance, I can tell you that nine years ago I was using a disposable underwater camera. I have studied the books and travelled with Jim Church as often as possible and I am now a contributing editor and Photo Pro for an international dive magazine. So, if you ask me if Jim Church's methods work, I would resoundingly answer "YES." If you aks me if this is a book worth buying, I would answer resoundingly "YES!" No matter how many times you read this book and no matter what level of photographer you might be, there is always something new in this book that you can apply in your pursuit of great photos. These concepts of composition are NOT restricted to the ocean floor, either. The methods and concepts explained in this text --- in easy to understand terms --- also apply to land photography. This Essential Guide is exactly that---- ESSENTIAL! I regret that five stars is the highest rank offered for this book. The only thíng wrong with this book ---- it wasn't written sooner! I could have saved a lot of film on badly composed shots!!!!

"Something Here for Everyone"
People come to photography by many strange and varied routes and my own is as different as the next - though I shall not bore you with that particular story here. Suffice to say that, my first photograph was published in 1974, my first underwater photograph in 1980 and, right at this time, my work has appeared (somewhere) every month since December 1998, I am in the process of completing my fourth book and my photography has even been purchased by National Geographic.

The relevance of all this, however, is that I am largely self-taught and that always leaves me wondering if I am missing some of those basic lessons that would have been explained on the very first day of any professionally run photography course. "Jim Church's Essential Guide to Composition" goes a long way to fill any gaps there might be.

This book has two outstanding qualities; Firstly, it is written by a man who really does know about every aspect of underwater photography. Secondly, and most important of all, however, Jim Church has the power to explain his knowledge in words we can all understand. In so doing he has produced a book for the professional underwater photographer and the amateur diver alike. If you have just bought your first camera and are about to embark on a very expensive trip to try it out, this is your in-flight reading material. Believe me, you will come home with better pictures - I did.

"Jim Church's Essential Guide to Composition" is a 9in x 6in paperback book containing 136 pages, 80 colour photographs and 8 line drawings. Each photograph and drawing serves a purpose and are used to explain each of the many lessons involved with composing underwater pictures and, basically, the difference between taking a good photograph and not. All of which is, of course, supported by the non-technical information imparted in an easy-to-understand style.

The book begins with absolute basics - and what could be more basic than explaining the function of the human eye and then adapting that information in order to provide a better understanding of the function of a camera lens. In short, this is a book about "stepping stones" and each time a relevant point has been explained and demonstrated, the book builds on this knowledge as we step forward onto another stone for even greater knowledge of the subject in hand.

In Summary, this is one of the few books I have ever read which achieves exactly and precisely what it sets out to achieve and is made all the more valuable because the Author is a man who knows his stuff and is able to explain things without getting bogged down in technical jargon.

Five Stars are not enough for this little gem.

NM

Another Good Effort from Jim Church
For all UW imaging systems users, this book is less about the technique (which can be found in Jim's books on Nikonos and Video systems), and more about the art of UW photography. Jim again uses the Situations approach, and helps you develop an eye for good pictures. Really useful stuff on working with models.

A Great Book For Underwater Photography!
Jim Church has written a concise guide to composition of underwater photos. These can be difficult to compose when compared to dry land photos and he simplifies the art well. An essential guide for aspiring UW photographers. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

I LOVED this book...
I was happy to see a book that covered many styles of lighting and styles of photography. As a semi-professinal, i am asked to shoot many types of photographs, and this book has given me excellent tips to "upgrade" my photos. The portrait and fashion section was especially helpful. AA+++

Good photographer... Bad book for the non-pro...
Ok, I'm sorry, but I gotta tell you this book is way out of date and doesn't have very many low-budget ideas. I made myself read this book cover to cover because I really needed to learn some lighting techniques fast. Well, when I was finished, I was impressed with the author and her friend's work, but I didn't know much more than I did before picking up the book.

It's almost as if the author has put together a personal portfolio accompanied with some bragging and some stories. The thing that bothers me is that the title "The Lighting Cookbook" seems to suggest that it's like a reference guide for the average Joe that's easy to use, like a real cookbook. Not so. I don't know how many times I've flipped through this book looking for a "recipe" to use for my lighting needs and I always end up putting it back on the shelf.

The "recipes" are too specific and based on things that most people will never do. When's the next time you plan on shooting some pictures of beakers filled with green liquid on top of a piece of plexiglass? Never you say? Ah, too bad because it's covered in this book.

The reason I said this book is out of date is because most people (that aren't stuck in the past) are moving on to digital. We're not using these insanely expensive "view cameras" that only big companies can afford. I've got a top of the line prosumer digital camera and there's not much in this book that even applies to shooting pictures with a regular camera.

The cameras that they use are not the only rediculously expensive items. The lighting equiptment that they use in all the indoor recipes are equally out of the question for most people. It would cost thousands and thousands of dollars to buy the "ingredients" to these recipes. A photographer like the author probably doesn't have any problem affording this equiptment because she's a pro, but what about your middle class audience?

I'd like to say that I really hate to be negative about anything. I like to give everything I'm reading the benifit of the doubt. That's why I read this whole book. When I finished, I placed it on my shelf and it pisses me off every time I look at it. Today, when I typed in "lighting" and it came up as one of the three most popular, I had to say something because I know that regular people like me are buying this book because they think it has the answers to their questions. Well, my friend it doesn't and I just thought I'd warn you.

As I finish this review I find myself asking a certain question. Who is this book for? It's not for regular people or beginners, because they don't need to take glamour shots of jewelry. So, I started to think that maybe it was for people that own a photography business and own all of this expensive equiptment, but wouldn't a professional photographer who owns their own business already know how to use their own equiptment? I don't know. Maybe it's for rich people that own a hundred thousand dollars worth of equiptment, but don't know how to use any of it and have no creativity.

Since reading this book, I've gone on to learn way more by flipping through catelogs and websites.

Let me say that I do give this book two stars instead of one because it features some great inspirational photography and is probably useful to some small group of people out there.

An excellent starting point
If you are interested in doing mainly portrait photography, but need to learn more about how to properly and effectively do lighting setups, this book is an excellent place to start. The book has several diagrams of exactly how the lights were setup, along with actual photographs that were taken using each setup.

It talks briefly about how to deal with different types of people, and includes a short part on photographing pets as well. There are also sections on lighting still life photography, although this is not the main focus of the book. If people portraits are what you are interested in doing, this book will be an excellent reference. However if you are more interested in photographing still lifes or pets, I'd recommend that you either find another book, or use this in addition to another resource.

SOOOO HELPFUL
It took the mystery out of how pro's do that amazing lighting. I feel like my photographs have improved 100% .

You can't beat it for number of examples
I bought this book while searching for a book that would help me get started in portraiture. Although this book covers portraiture, it is probably not quite what I was looking for, but is good in its own right.

The book begins with the first section, "The Well-Stocked Studio," and describes cameras, lighting, and accessories. This is valuable information for a serious photographer wanting to get more advanced, but is overwhelmed at all of the equipment and what it does. Other sections are "Basic Portraiture," "Corporate and Industrial Shots," "Product Shots and Still Lifes," and "Specialized Techniques." Each section presents about a dozen different examples of techniques in that area, detailing the equipment used. Each technique example is covered in a few pages with excellent photographs, a pretty good diagram of the lighting arragement, and an "ingredients" list. The book is also sprinkled with valuable side notes.

To duplicate every example in the book, the reader will need an extraordinarily extensive studio. However, the book starts with simple techniques involving one or two lights and reflectors, and builds upon that. Even the more extensive lighting techniques are helpful in developing your skill at visualizing how a scene should look and how you would choose lighting to achieve that look. Moreover, the less advanced photographer could duplicate the techniques with a couple of battery-powered flashes, a couple of slaves, and using an umbrella, walls, or poster board as reflectors.

I tend to judge the value of a book by how quickly I read it versus its cost. Unlike "The Photographer's Guide to Using Light," which I read in a couple of hours and cost about as much, I found this book to have excellent value as far as the amount of information for the money. You could probably not sit down in a day and go through this whole book. In fact, I read a little at a time over a few months.

As for portraiture, I'm still looking for a book that specializes in portraiture technique. Even though this book does have a section on it, it lacks information on actually posing the subjects. ... Read more

Book Description

Photographers learn from a master the impact and drama that can be created through the precise creation of low key portraits-portraits in which the tonal range is primarily dark. While the low key technique lends a classic, artistic, subdued mood to images that may seem relaxed and effortless, creating this style presents significant challenges for the photographer, all of which are addressed in this book. Guidelines for selecting the best lighting equipment and light modifiers for efficiently creating low key portraits are detailed, as are the most effective techniques for measuring the light in the scene for correct exposure. Photographers of all levels learn to consider the impact of creating images in a controlled key. ... Read more

Book Description

From basic principles of automated lighting, to pre-production preparations, the text details concepts, procedures, and guidelines to ensure a successful production. Then the author continues with in-depth explanations for beginning, intermediate, and advanced programmers. Additional sections explore troubleshooting principles, working relationships, and future technologies. For the final chapter of the book, the author interviewed many respected lighting industry veterans including John Broderick, Christian Choi, Laura Frank, Jim Lenahan, and Arnold Serame.

* Linear aspect of building a show from beginning to end
* Includes author's Sydney 2000 Olympic Journal
* Advice from respected industry pros including Christian Choi, Laura Frank, and John Broderick ... Read more

Reviews (1)

yes. Yes. YES! Buy it.
The author spells out, in common terminology, the basics of programming moving lights for theatre, concerts, television, festivals, and industrials.

I teach at a University and our lighting intro class should be reading the first three chapters even without any need for the automated fixture information. This book has the clearest explanation I've ever seen in print of the difference between tracking and cue-only lighting consoles. ... Read more

Book Description

Motion Picture and Video Lighting explores the technical, aesthetic and practical aspects of lighting for film and video.Written by a professional in the field, this comprehensive book reveals inside information based on years of experience and thoroughly explores the challenges faced by cinematographers, lighting directors, gaffers and grips.

Through a hands on approach which is augmented by insightful diagrams, tables, charts and photographs, the author illustrates the power of light as one of the most important elements of filmmaking.Whether the reader is a professional, or student, a gaffer, grip or cameraman, this book will be a useful reference.
Blain Brown is a cinematographer and lighting director based in Los Angeles, California.He has lit and photographed a range of productions - from macro/table tops to boxing arenas, and from no-budget shoestring productions to large-scale features.Mr. Brown has also worked as a producer and line producer on commercials, music videos and feature films.

Provides a comprehensive look everyone involved in motion picture or video lighting.
Contains diagrams, tables, charts, and photographs to supplement the text.
A perfect reference for the professional or the student. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A completely professional approach
The thing about this book is that it is written from a completely professional point of view. It deals with lighting as it is really practiced on professional movie sets - not like most books on cinematography which seem to be written by people who haven't actually done it all that much in the real world. I've bought about every book there is on movie lighting and most of them are a waste of money.

This book covers everything from a basic introduction to color, exposure and electricity up to the more complex technical issues you have to deal with as a gaffer or cinematographer: very thorough and comprehensive. The Set Technicians book is good if all you are trying to be is an electrician, but this is the one you want if you really want to move up as a gaffer, lighting director or Director of Photography. Except for one chapter (film exposure), everything in the book applies equally well to video, digital video or High Def. There is also a very good chapter on video which covers what you REALLY have to know to work in video lighting.

If you work (or want to work) in the motion picture industry, knowing lighting is the key to advancement and success. This is the book to get if you really want to learn motion picture and video lighting.

A good lighting manual for a beginning cameraperson.
Blaine Brown's book provides a decent explanation of set lighting, it's instruments and protocol. The text, though, seems to speak more to the cameraperson or AC who is curious about lighting. There is a lack of attention given to the juicers and hammers who are actually creating and shaping the light. There is a considerable amount of text granted to electrics and the distribution of power, but much more thorough and much more practically explained definitions are readily available in Harry Box's "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook." ... Read more

Book Description

Aspiring photographers are spared the rigors and tribulations of trial and error in solving lighting problems with the immense knowledge shared in this guide. Included is comprehensive coverage of the tools top portrait photographers use, the lighting styles they favor, and the prob