Reviews (2)

An "I can do this " book
I've bought a couple of lighting books that showed rather complex multi-light setups with hairlights,gobos,booms,backgrounds,barndoors yada,yada,yada that left me thinking "hmmmm,I wonder if I can do this??"
This book displays beautifull portraits with simple ambient light, single light, easy soft box etc. setups with clear setup diagrams with the portrait shown. An example, hardly ordinary, was one shot of Tony Blair where the photographer had literaly 180 seconds to setup for the sitting. It made me feel "hey, I CAN do THAT!".
Simple well written for the contemplative novice(me I hope).

BUGMAN840
MY FIRST PORTRAIT LIGHT BOOK, IT IS ONE I'LL KEEP AND LEARN FROM FOR YEARS. I AM NOW STUDYING THIS AREA IN COLLEGE AND IT REALLY HELPS IN CLIMBING THE LEARNING CURVE. ... Read more

Book Description

·Instruction on composing the shot and editing it digitally, keyed to outdoor subjects and outdoor conditions
·Selecting equipment for use in the field
·Illustrated in full color

A professional writer and photographer who has long chronicled his adventures as a mountaineer and wilderness traveler, James Martin is uniquely positioned to help others "gain the most from swapping chemicals for silicon." In Digital Photography Outdoors, he begins with the basics: how a digital camera works, special considerations for use in the field, and selecting the best equipment and most useful accessories for capturing outdoor action.

Martin presents the new rules of digital photography (why overexpose?) and reminds us of old rules that still apply (light and good composition remain key). He covers the fundamentals of digital editing, including selecting software tools, applying filters, creating the illusion of movement, and stitching photos together to create panoramas. It's about exploiting the advantages of digital, as well as meeting its challenges ("storing images safely becomes an obsession.") Martin also offers tips on care and maintenance of digital equipment in field conditions. ... Read more

Book Description

With "The Art of Outdoor Photography", Norton has created a comprehensive volume on the art and technique of outdoor shooting. Tips on lenses, shutterspeed, depth of field, and lighting are presented for professionals and experienced amateurs alike.

Norton's fascinating anecdotes and invaluable pointers will engage many levels of photographers. His vivid photos illustrate key concepts, and run the gamut from markets in Kenya to mountaintops in Siberia.

This popular book has been revised and updated with a major revision to the films and filters material; films and filters mark the greatest advance in photography over the past few decades. New chapters include: "Into the Boondocks," "Organizing Photo Files," and "Breaking Into Print." ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Excellent, Inspiring photography book!
I just wanted to echo what others have said so far about this book. To be honest, I had never heard of Boyd Norton until Amazon recommended the book to me when I purchased another photography book. But I decided to try the book out, based on the previous reviews and the inexpensive price, and I'm sure glad I did! It's very well written and I can relate to the author's challenges of long-held photographic beliefs. He seem to state that, as long as the end result is pleasing, go ahead and break all the rules! I agree, and he offers many ideas and methods of coming up with unique perspectives and images that do just that.

I find most photography books I read to just re-state what others have already said, but this book continually gave me new ideas and fresh insight into different techniques and subjects. I'd be surprised if even an accomplished and seasoned photographer didn't get more than a few things out of this book.

Thanks, Boyd Norton, for putting together a very informative book with amazing pictures and descriptions of the processes used to create them!

Still Looking for the Perfect Outdoor Photography Book!
Norton's Outdoor Photography: Techniques for the Advance Amateur and Professional sounded like just the book for me. I didn't want another how to. I know how to manipulate the camera and what happens when light hits film. That's for the beginning photographer. What I wanted was something that went beyond technique to the point where technique becomes discovery. What I wanted, to quote Norton, was "a more methodical, precise approach to capturing the essence of scene or subject.

Norton's first chapter got me really excited. He talked about making the technical choices that bring order out of chaos. For example, he suggested that this involved "the tough process of isolating and arranging the picture elements." That certainly sounded like he was on the right track.

But then the book went down hill. I got the usual discussion of light metering, the differences between lens lengths, the elements of composition - in short the usual set of instructions for just beyond beginning photographers. Oh, the instructions were accurate and beautifully illustrated. But they didn't tell me how one could take the elements of composition beyond a list of elements and into "art".

Now maybe I expected to much. After all, if creating art was easy enough to put into a 152 page book, Art Wolfe wouldn't have a job. But I blame Norton (or his publishers.) They put on the catchline "Techniques for the Advanced Amateur and Professional". And then they gave me the same stuff as many another photography book writer. For my money, I would take John Shaw over Norton any day. At least he makes no bones about what he's teaching.

In summary, as a manual for photographers who know how to properly expose film, this is as good a book as any. But for the advanced amateur and professional who wants help in creating art, look elsewhere.

For beginners, not advanced amateurs and professionals
The sub-title of the book says "Techniques for the Advanced Amateur and Professional." Hardly. This is simply one of many generalist photography books geared to beginners and "non-advanced" amateurs. Don't expect to find anything that isn't in dozens of similar books. The photos are average, and aren't helped by the lacklustre quality of the printing.

Great book
Great book that teaches a lot about "outdoor photography". Equipment, interesting technigues, locations, and many other topics are explained with many examples. I am mostly interested in landscape photography and found many advices very usefull. Highly recomended.

Great book - very helpful
This is the most helpful photo book I have ever seen! The illustrations are superb, with helpful captions. Moreover, it's good for beginning levels despite what the subtitle says. I highly recommend it. Worth every penny. Also a great gift for other photographer friends. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great Book But No Source Files!
I love this book, both for its content and its presentation. The tutorials are explained clearly and step by step. There is not a lot of technical jargon to confuse you therefore this being one of the easiest Photoshop books to grasp.

The only thing that brings this down a star is that there is no source files included. Generally, either a CD or a website is provided with the source images, but here, that is not the case. So, instead of getting right to work, first you need to track down your own images that will hopefully come pretty close in recreating the lesson. I can't believe not including the files was even an idea in somebody's head when they dreamed up this book. It wouldn't even cost anything to just throw them up on a web site.

Excellent Creative Use of Lighting within Photoshop
I found that the tutorials Barry creates are excellently documented, and those photoshop users (whether novice, intermediate or advanced) will all equally find ideas and theory explained well. Given that the subject matter is quite specific, I am delighted that this book serves to target such a diverse audience.
It is certainly a book well worth adding to one's Digital Photographic Library.

Great Book!
This is a book I could not wait to get in my collection. It provides you with pure "D" tutorials. The tutorials are so clear that even a true novice can learn and benefit. Get this book if you want some great lighting techninques and if you would like to know the science behind creating great lighting effects in your images. You won't regret it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

This books STINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's how this book works:

They show you a photo, and tell you what fancy equipment they used to photograph it. THATS IT!!!!! Very Useful if you want to RE-CREATE the photo in the book. This book is UNIMAGINATIVE and of zero info. Save your cash and spend it on something else.. I WISH I HAD!!!

Please put a star in this book
I'm a nude photographer in Bandung Indonesia and I got most of Pro-Lighting series about nudity. Firstable, you should understand the subject among nude, naked and erotic. Nude is a basic one to explore shape and form and naked - erotic is about a mood in nude photographs like sensual mood or seducing. You may read other Pro-Lighting series for comparison such as NUDES and PROVOCATIVE SHOTS. I've noticed that the Pro-Lighting books that have nudity seem to have higher ratings. The photos are beautiful and the diagrams are very easy to catch if you want to follow the instructions.

Get at least one
It's difficult to give any of the Pro-Lighting series books a fair review in comparison to other photography and lighting books. This is a tutorial by example and inspiration. About half of the shots require very sophisticated equipment and set-ups, while the others are simpler. What's most useful about any of the books in this series are the detailed lighting diagrams and the information on the film used as well as photographer's notes. After that, these books help spark your own creativity. This is why I say you should own at least one book in this series. I've noticed that the Pro-Lighting books that have nudity seem to have higher average ratings. Coincidence or not, I don't know. However, from the ones I've looked at, Erotica, Fashion and Glamour seem to be the most creative and interesting. New Glamour is not as good as the original Glamour. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Inspirational
This book is my first purchase on still life photography and has since become a treasure in my collection. This is one book that I will never part with and wish would last for a lifetime.
Not only is it a collection of stunning photographs by various published photographers, it is also an easy to follow guidebook for studio setups that emphasize on professional looking shots with simple and easily available equipment/materials. Complicated setups are also available for the more advanced photographers. There is also a section that states the basics of lighting equipments etc. which is very useful for beginners in referencing what types of equipment one might upgrade/purchase in the future.
It is highly inspiring and is sure to tempt any reader to try his/her hands at duplicating shots using the setups illustrated. Whether or not you would actually get the results depends on the equipments you own, but being an amateur working with just window lighting, two flood lights and a reflector board, I found that the setups easily attemptable with minor adjustments. I often return to the book for ideas on practice shoots.
Only downside to the book is that since some pages are printed with black backgrounds, fingerprints can be easily spotted so be prepared to wipe them off should you treasure the book as much as I do.
Highly inspirational. Even non-photographers would view the photos in awe.

Excellent
This is the best still photography book I have found.
I recommend it to all photographers that want to know proffesional secrets and technics for still photography; and the price is really low for it.

Hicks and Schultz, what a team...
I spend allot of time in bookstores searching for useful, yes that's useful books on photography. Once you have long since gone beyond the ranks of amateur, newbie or intermediate and reached the shores of expert and semi pro, wanting to perhaps start making a living from this craft, you find that there is very little at all out there in the way of USEFUL works on the subject at this higher level.

I own great books in the area's where I usually shoot film - (Outdoor, Landscape, Night)- , which I have reviewed elsewhere for those who wonder, but the area of still life and special effects photography is something up until now I have left alone, having always been curious about. Still Life and Special Effects Photography by the above mentioned authors is a superb choice for those looking for an entry point into the professional or fun end of this type of photography.

This is not so much of an in depth step by step guide that teaches you how to shoot Still Life and Special Effects images, but rather it is a primer, explaining in brief tutorial the HOW of individual works of photography.

This work is broken up into various sections which focus on various styles of Still and Special effects images. What you get is a large facing page with the image as final product and on the opposite page a detailed drawing and explanation of HOW everything was set up in black and white sketch style. You get to see exactly what lighting was used, how it was placed, what props were involved and the camera's movements.

Sidebar discussions give technical details of each image, the photographers comments, the art director if there was one and various side bar discussions which give a brief but detailed enough version of HOW this kind of work is achieved. Largely this work is superb not as a 'guide to copy', but it is mean't to serve as a tool for inspiring YOU, the photographer, to create your own works having grasped whats possible and what can be achieved.

I own other excellent works by Hicks and Shultz and this book is just fantastic for whetting the appetite and getting some creative juices flowing. I went down to the art store and bought all kinds of materials after reading this book and am looking forward to expanding my photographic horizons into this fascinating area of image making. Used as a tool for inspiration and you can't go wrong. ... Read more

Book Description

Take the mystery out of the sophisticated Nikon flash system! Photographers--if you feel you're missing out on the benefits of flash photography because you just don't understand the Nikon equipment completely or fully grasp how to use it, here's detail-by-detail coverage of every aspect of flash technology with no-nonsense descriptions and easy-to-understand explanations. From fill flash to slow sync, each technique is detailed, along with information on achieving the best results from all of the various Nikon SLR cameras. And, in addition to being a thoroughgoing tutorial, it's a take-along reference on the capabilities of every Nikon Speedlight flash unit ever made...with full operating instructions!
... Read more

Reviews (8)

Excellent book - must have for Nikon speedlight users
I took the advice of others and ordered this book. There is no hype on this book. I would consider it just as important as batteries for my flash. The book doesn't cover the D1 series explicitly but the information provided allows the D1 user to gain better control over off-camera flash scenarios and multi-flash situations. An excellent book for all but true professionals (who probably already know the pearls in this book).

gotta have it!!!!
after reading The Nikon Flash Guide i wonder why i went through college for photography for!!!!
some of the information was technical, but Hogan is a witty writer and i was able to get through it for the most part. info is super helpful

GREATLY Improved My Fill Flashes!!
I have purchased 4 or 5 Nikon flashes, ranging from the SB-11 to the newest SB80DX because most of my pics are portraits or candid people shots. Have even done a few weddings for friends. I find myself consistently re-reading sections of Hogan's chapter, Flash Techniques before a major picture taking event. Bottom line, I consistently get the best skin tones in my pics by following the author's recommendations, e.g., use standard TTL vice multi-sensor balanced fill flash ("...Nikon's TTL system is dam good...")! No more washed out facial skin tones! Best part of the book is the first 80 or 90 pages; I haven't delved into the remaining pages dealing with specific Nikon flash models. I hope updated versions expand on flash techniques.

Great book on Nikon flashes
Well written. Some nice tips. Covers SB-10's through SB-28's.

Informative but repetitive
Hogan's book was a helpful item for me as an SB-25 and SB-23 owner trying to set up multiple-flash photographs, but unfortunately all of his directions cannot overcome Nikon's rather primitive remote flash accessories. Nonetheless, I discovered how to alter the fill flash ratios on my SB-25 by carefully reading this book, which I guess is worth [this much] by itself. Not the most exciting writing on earth, but if you need this book, it will not let you down. ... Read more

Book Description

Photographers will learn from a master the impact and beauty that can be created through the precision creation of high key portraits. In photography, the word key is used to describe the overall tonal range in which the photograph is created-including the background, subject, props, and clothing. If the tones are very light, the image is called "high key." Because photographers often neglect to consider the impact of creating images in a controlled key, many portraits fall short of their potential. This book provides helpful guidelines for selecting the best lighting equipment and light modifiers for efficiently creating high key portraits, as well as detailing techniques needed to select the perfect clothes and props for a high key portrait. ... Read more

Book Description

This book by pioneer underwater photographer Jim Church takes you beyond the owner’s manuals and teaches you how to get the most from the Nikonos V, Nikonos RS and Nikon strobes. The author distills his more than 30 years of experience teaching photography to cut through the jargon and speak to all skill levels. Step-by-step solutions to common shooting problems are easily found and cross-referenced in this well-organized text, which has gone through extensive review and field testing to arrive at this clear, easy-to-understand format. Packed with practical tips, it will help both beginning and experienced photographers shoot better pictures.

Some of the topics covered are: back to the basics; films and exposures; features of the V & RS; wide, close-up and macro lenses; extension tubes and framers; TTL, fill and multiple strobes; sunlight exposures; secret exposure chart; maintenance and testing. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Correction for URL given in Prior review
The correct URL for the UW Photo tips is:
http://www.seapix.com/tips.htm
Sorry for any confusion I may have caused.
eyesguy@aol.com

It really is essential
Jim Church is the true professor of underwater photography. His book is comprehensive and fairly clear. His approach is almost too analytical at times. I would have liked more photos and text explaining what he did and why and how it worked out, although he did offer quite a number of photo examples. His tips on strobe useage and his "secret guide to strobe exposures" alone are worth the price of the book. For a looser and more intuitive approach, read http://scubadiving.com/photo/instruction/.
this is an addition to, not a replacement for Church's book.
Overall, I would give the book an A- with about half of it worthy of an A+ and the remainder a solid B to B+.
eyesguy@aol.com

Room for a lot of improvement, but still essential
My first reaction when opening this book was that it was light on text. Not necessarily bad if it says what it needs to succinctly. Unfortunately, this book didn't do that. Procedures could be explained more clearly, and could be illustrated with more and better figures and photographs. This semi-pro photographer often found himself reading a procedure and saying, "huh?" "Change the f-stop which way?" The advanced photographer will gloss over reading the description of f-stops and shutter speeds while the novice will be left befuddled. The book leans toward giving recipes for a situation rather than trying to teach an understanding of photography.

More explanation and pictures could be given of the equipment and configuration. A new underwater photographer with a camera is overwhelmed by the array of arms and attachments, but there is one paragraph on arms and brackets that basically says, "Get the best," without as much as figure to show how one looks or attaches to the camera. Then you get descriptions such as "attach the strobe arm so it tilts toward the camera body." Tilt in what plane? What does a strobe arm look like?

There are statement and procedures that seem odd to an experienced photographer. It is suggested that manual strobe exposure, which is typically only dependent of distance and f-stop, is also a function of subject brightness. The procedure for using TTL flash starts with looking up the flash distance for a full-power manual flash to set the f-stop. If you're going to do that, you might as well not use TTL (although this method does maximize depth of field, but, of course, this is not explained.) The TTL electronics are then used as little more than a proper exposure indication, and if you don't get a proper exposure with your camera set to the edge of the exposure range, you're to burn more film at another f-stop until it works.

This books focuses on the Nikonos V and the now-discontinued RS. Even though the author considers the IVA to be "a dud," the III and IVA are still viable cameras that a beginner, the audience for this book, is likely to have because of the lower procurement cost. (Currently on eBay, a V with 35mm lens runs about $475 while a IVA with the same lens is about $250.) An appendix on the features, and how operating and maintenance differ for these models, would be very useful. Church has written on these models in previous editions, so it shouldn't be difficult.

So, what is good about this book? The color photographs are very good, but are more of result examples than actually showing the equipment, but are inspirational. The guidelines on positioning strobes and estimating distances is invaluable, as are the maintenance sections. If you bought a used Nikonos without a manual, note that Craig Camera sells the manuals for a IVA for $20 while the book currently retails on-line for less than that. If you're trying to decide between the two, I'd get this book. This book also seems to be considered by many to be the definitive guide to Nikonos photography, and my search shows few, if any, other underwater photography books dedicated to this one line of cameras. So, like the title says, even though I feel that there is a LOT of room for improvement, this book may be, indeed, essential for the Nikonos beginner.

A great book
A really good how to book for owners of Nikonos camera systems, with practical tips for Nikonos V and Nikonos RS users, although valuable for all. I really like the way that Jim Church has included Situations - UW photo scenarios and he guides you through his approach.

Excellent Info for Beginner to Intermediate U/W Photogs.
Easy to understand, yet comprehensive info for the beginning to intermediate UW photographers utilizing Nikonos V (slightly less info on the Nikonos RS). Organization by subject matter creates a reference that you can take with you for easy and quick, pre-dive brush-ups. Excellent example photos, charts and diagrams. It goes way beyond all Nikon manuals and publications. ... Read more

Book Description

At last-a complete, hands-on guide that makes night photography easy! Once considered a craft fraught with difficulties and challenges, Night Photography explodes that myth forever. This uniquely accessible guide unlocks the mysteries of how to attain stark, beautiful images after dark. Readers will find detailed, practical advice on film speeds, reciprocity failure, street lighting, exposure control, contrast and tone, and much more. Clear, simple step-by-step instructions guide readers through all the techniques necessary to produce images that otherwise would be difficult to achieve without much trial and error.Packed with 155 stunning photographs, Night Photography is an invaluable tool for the professional photographer, student, or serious amateur. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Never tried night photos?? You should now.
This is the most helpful book on night photography I have found. I took a class in which all my assignments were to be done at night and so I searched for info. I have Frost's Low Light and Night book, it left me wanting. Low light is not the same as night photography. Sanderson is easy to follow and his night shots are amazing. The exposure chart is what you really need. I have it laminated and in both of my camera bags. This is TRUE photography at night.

Very Pleasantly Surprised
My first intention was not to get this book. I enrolled in an independent study class in night photography and was looking for a good book to help me better understand this area of photography. I was all set to buy Lee Frost's "Complete Guide to Night and Low-Light Photography" when I noticed that I could buy that book along with Andrew Sanderson's "Night Photography" for a slight discount on the two. Let me just say that Frost's book has gotten little more than a glance through while I haven't been able to put down this book. If you're like me and are just beginning to learn about night photography, you honestly can't go wrong with this book. It is written extremely well and has all the info you need. One BIG plus is his inclusion of charts to help understand exposure times. I really couldn't say enough about this book. Frost's book may be a good complement to this book, but seriously, if you're looking to get into night photography, start with this book. You will not be disappointed.

Not useful.
There really isn't any information in this book on technique in night photography that is not self-evident. There are a few useful charts on reciprocity failure and adjusting exposure times for smaller apertures based on your light meter readings, but you can easily make these charts yourself. In fact, I wouldn't trust the reciprocity charts because newer films require much less compensation for reciprocity failure than those charts would indicate. Most of the information in the book concerns black and white photography, but there is some info on color negative and slide photography.

The photographs in the book are not very good, either, which isn't encouraging. The picture on the cover is by far the best.

A full third of this book is devoted to processing and printing night photographs, including a fair amount of information on toning. If you don't develop or print your own film, a third of the book is lost on you. And I can't really say if it would be useful to those who do process and print their own work because it has been so long since I have used a darkroom myself.

Good but incomplete
The book is very short. I has a good amount of photos, almost all of them are black and white. The book describes some good ideas and techniques for "long exposure" photography. There is also a section on how to take photos of the moon. For those who do their own printing, there is a section about printing as well.

The paper quality is excellent.

I wish the book covers other types of night photography, such as lighting, firework, and so on.

Les Nocturnes
This is the most incredible book! How long have the Photographic night owls among us been waiting for the Bible on Night Photogrqaphy? Well I have been waiting for years to be frank, and Andrew Sanderson has come through with flying colours. This is not only a useful work on this murky and oft neglected aspect to culty photography but it is also an inspired, beautiful and elegant work on the subject, which is matched only by the enthusiasm and eloquence of it's author. Few photographic tech manuals can achieve the above accolades and combine them with such skill.

Sanderson takes you on a journey to the end of the night. His example prints and works, which are printed by himself are exquisite and predominantly B&W's that show him as a brilliant craftsman both pre and post exposure. Packed with images and technical detail to accompany the plates, Sanderson reveals the nitty gritty of his methodology and generously shares data which must have taken a great deal of time, effort and good record keeping to accumulate!

Sandersons manner of expressing this information is effortless and
conversational as is demonstrated by some of his chapter headings...

The Basics, The Technical Stuff, The Fancy Stuff etc...

The work is finished off with a great section on processing and printing (A real craft with this guy) and things like "Traffic problems/Unwanted attentions, formulae and calculations and the key steps to good night photography". We are very lucky to have a book like this and I look forward to anything else Mr Sanderson has to offer the world of Photographic literature in the future. This book will take pride of place in your Photo library. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great book to learn lighting
This book is one of the best I've read on learning to light...it doesn't spoon feed you lighting diagrams, it explains the principles of light, why light does what it does and then the author expects you to work with your own lights to see the results for yourself and LEARN to light.

Corbell does a super job of explaining different lighting tools...from hot lights to the various types of strobes available, reflectors, scrims and gobos...when to use them and why.

The diagrams and photographs are most helpful in explaining the text which is very clearly written.

Excellent...I wish I'd bought it ages ago.

Very basic book
I made a big mistake buying this bock, I should pay more attention to the reviews, the writer dose not go through details only big pictures with mentioning few general things, there are no satisfying details and diagrams.

Do you want to follow recipes by rote, or learn to cook?
This is one of the most inspiring photography books I've read. There are a hundred books about studio lighting that are little more than collections of photos followed by diagrams of the lighting setups. If you're looking for simple ways to duplicate somebody else's photos, this book is not for you. Instead, the author's intent is to make you understand the underlying principles of controlling light. He takes pains not to dictate rules or give formulas, but tries to help you make your own decisions based on your personal taste and the demands of a particular photo.

This book, although it appears superficially simple, puts demands on the reader that many other lighting books do not. Some people would prefer to follow diagrams by rote; I'd much rather develop the mental tools to design my own lighting setups for my own needs, rather than look at the exact placement of lights that somebody else used.

Corbell's explanation of the Chromazone system (for controlling the effects of gelled light on backgrounds) was more than worth the price of the book.

nice pictures but that's all!!!!!
his pictures shows his techniques he's trying to explain but that's about it. very few picture, and whatever pictures are there are almost a page size. that's how he fills his book big pictures very few words. he doesn't talk about flash setup, what the camera was set at, lens & film used ,and so forth. the title says "..complete guide.." i find that very false. if you're in the store and see this book just look it over then leave it and look at something with more technical stuff. i sold my book after a week. the only thing i liked about the book was a few of the pictures. i find it hard to belive that this person is qualified to write a book nontheless teach photography. he never had formal schooling in photography. i also hate the fact that he pushes hasselblad equipment and their flashes. i'm sure he got a nice pay for advertising their products. i don't use hassy equipment and don't care to. i also think that he could have shown example work in 35mm format since this is what most people all over the work with. overral this book fails!!

Too simple to be considered "complete"
This book does show you basic lighting techniques. It also goes through all the things almost every other photography book does. If your are looking for original ideas this is not the book. This book cannot spawn creativity because it is far behind the photographic learning curve.

The reader should note on this book (and all photography books) that this is a new edition not a new book. This seems to make a huge difference in the quality of photography books because of the learning curve I mentioned. Potrait (fashion, glamour, or anything besides landscape) photos taken two years ago, look out of date because they are behind the curve. How many people want to look at old tired photos? If you are one of them then you don't mind taking old tired photos and shouldn't read a book's review--- just buy the one with the 'coolest' photo on the cover. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not Useful for someone new to lighting
If you are looking for a good, instructional book on lighting setups and techniques...keep looking. This book may be useful to a seasoned director or gaffer, but is rather useless for beginners. This is essentially a book on interviews, and while has some techniques discussed throughout, is not presented in a way that would be useful for someone hoping to learn the finer details of lighting.

A definate must read for cinematographers and directors
I am a director and found this book to be really intersting. I really enjoyed hearing advice and techniques from a collection of accomplished cinematographers and gaffers. Too many books just merely point out that there are many ways to approach lighting a scene. This actually shows how different people choose to light particular scenes.

The only complaint that I have is that it is a bit out-dated. Personally, I use a lot of newer lighting equipment that was not mentioned (especially Kino Flo lights). Nevertheless, still probably the best lighting book I have encountered.

Not just a dull technical book . . . very interesting . . .
I am an aspiring D.P., interested in lighting and camera operation. This book gives a good insight to the relationship between D.P. and director. It does not give dull "how to set up lights," but provides some interesting information provided by some outstanding cinematographers, many are members of ASC. I found it to be an excellent read.

This is must reading for those interested in cinematography.
Kris Malkiewicz has assembled some of the finestcinematographers and gaffers in the world to create a must-have bookfor all aspiring and working Directors of Photography. This book is both technical and creative in description of design and technique. From Nestor Almendros, ASC to Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC and other contemporary greats in-between--the reader learns lighting of sets, close-ups, background plates and much more. Both soft-light and hard-light techniques are covered too. Reading the meter is discussed by Caleb Deshanel, ASC who states, "Basically I use the meter after I have finished lighting" to Malkiewicz who states, "a caucasian face has about 35 percent reflectance, but a black face reflects less than 16 percent." He goes on to explain the proper technique for exposing dissimilar facial colors with reflective metering. The late James Wong Howe, ASC and Jordan Cronenweth, ASC are quoted describing their day-for-night techniques. All in all this book covers the basics and beyond and has served me well as a reference book that I consult from time to time, and recommend to others. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Very disappointing, probably not the book you're looking for
As a photographer working with available light only, I bought this book hoping to learn to ins and out of flash photography.
A few pages into it realized that this book wasn't the one. The first chapter covers the fundamentals of flash operation -
how does flash work and the basic concepts to remember, and that was VERY helpful. But it was written sluggishly, which
made the reading tiresome, confusing, and un-exciting.

It's down-hill after that. I found later chapters to be off the subject, or irrelevant, or too general. For example, I didn't need to read about the difference between portrait photography and photojournalism photography, or the different style of people photography - I just wanted to know how to apply flash in both - and this information was missing, or too shallow. I had to fish for the relevant information among lots information that repeated itself but wasn't interesting, like the different types of camera that use flashes. The information I was looking for, like specific techniques and ideas, was scattered throughout the book in an unorganized matter, if at all.

The sample pictures were mediocre, at best, stuff that I wouldn't even consider showing my friends... Seriously, I was surprised to find pictures like this in a photography book. I didn't learn how to take good flash pictures in different situations, I didn't learn how to apply different techniques of flash photography to take special or interesting pictures, and I didn't learn anything that my flash or camera manual wouldn't teach me.

I wish I could return it to the book store, but I threw away the receipt. Very, very disappointing, not the book for anybody who has been using a camera for more than a few weeks. If this is the first time you've seen a camera, maybe. For everyone else - waste of time and money.

Straight to the Point
This book stands out from most photography how-to books because it doesn't talk down to the reader. It doesn't waste the first few chapters rehashing exposure, aperture, shutter speed basics. Instead it goes straight to the subject at hand - flash photography. The ratio of text to number of pictures is high, which is what I like. I find most photography books are written as if the reader has a short attention span and can't handle advanced details. I don't agree with readers who want more pictures or details on using flash in specific situations. It's better to understand the basic principles than to be spoonfed. The reader can figure out for himself what to do through experimentation, observation and experience. This book has so much in it that it will take me a long time to absorb it and implement what I've learned. My thanks to the author for getting me through my first wedding shoot successfully.

As good as it gets
This book "Mastering Flash Photography" by a professional photojournalist and travel photographer
(but not a wedding photographer) will teach you just about anything you want to know about how to use flash in a sophisticated way indoors and out.

It starts at the begining and ends by showing how to set up portable flashes to give results that look as though studio strobes were used. The professional tips can easily be transferred to simpler lighting techniques for your own camera. It doesn't get any better than this when you can learn in good, clear English what you need to know. It takes the mystery out of flash and makes it as accessible as day light. A real discovery for anyone needing help on flash lighting.

this book is unorganized! terrible pictures!
this book is too complicated for a beginner and is very messy. the pictures are terrible and have them posted a page after the explanation on the flash technique. i don't know how this person is a photog. she's far from one, you can see it from her pics. she shoots 60% of her images with a 20mm and 28mm lens using old flashes. the pictures come out terrible, distorted and badly lit pictures. they either are lit too much so you see the foreground blown out and the background dark or the picture looks nothing like what her technique explained. most aren't lit properly and all the portrait shots are overly flashed, and their face are super distrorted because the use of the wide angle lenses.who uses wide angle lenses for portraits??!! you can tell she cropped some of the pics that were used with a wide angle lens.i'd crop them to if they looked like hers did. she shows usage of 3 vivitar flashes and an umbrella for use in studio work. uh, excuse me..if i have money to buy 3 vivitar flashes i certainly have money for a studio strobe. they can even cost less that all of the 3 flashes considering the hardware needed to mount them all. all in all this book is very cluttered, and unprofessional. i'd think twice. i'd also like add there's no contact info in her book and on this website. i wouldn't leave contact info if i put out such a book!

The Only Game in Town
Most new cameras come with a built in flash or the capability to add a separate flash unit. Usually the instructions that come with the camera tell you some of the mechanics of using the flash, including something called through-the-lens flash, but leave you in the dark (pun intended) about when and how to use them. If you feel that you want to get something more from a flash than a little light in a dark room, you may be looking for expert help. Well, Susan McCartney may be of a little help but not much more. On the other hand, since this seems to be the only fairly recent book on the subject in the catalog, maybe this is as good as it gets.

McCartney's book is divided into four parts. The basic flash section deals with cameras with built in flash with an emphasis on point and shoot cameras. The second part deals with detachable flash. The author calls the third part advanced flash (which is a collection of hints). The fourth part deals with specialized and professional flash, which includes those larger units with their own power sources that the pros haul around. The author tells you how to use your electronic flash on your camera and off, both as a main light and as fill flash (or as she insists upon calling it, flash fill.) However, she is so repetitive that you wonder if this couldn't have been a sixteen-page pamphlet. I personally found more help in reading the forty pages on flash in Bob Krist's "Secrets of Lighting on Location". And at least Krist's pictures are exciting while most of McCartney's are pedestrian.

The biggest problem that every flash photographer has to overcome is the Inverse Square Law, which explains that light from a point source falls off dramatically the further you get from the source. That is why flash pictures often have well lit foregrounds with dark backgrounds. A good flash book should deal with this problem extensively, but "Mastering Flash Photography" gives only a page to the subject. McCartney scarcely mentions that the easiest way to deal with this problem is to keep all the important elements in the picture at about the same distance from the flash. In fact many of her illustrations demonstrate the dreaded "hot spot" that poorly managed flash creates.

I was also disappointed by the fact that the author did not discuss when flash was the appropriate tool to use. I know from my own experience that there are times when it's better to take a long exposure than to use flash, and other times when just a touch of fill flash can change the whole nature of a picture. There's no hint of this in the book.

This is an area of photography where the technology is changing rapidly. The newest cameras all provide "smart" fill flash features that weren't readily available five years ago when this book was written. Unfortunately, the most up-to-date material will be the instructions that come with your camera or flash unit, and these will tell you what to do technically but won't tell you much about making better pictures. I've actually found that I've learned a lot about using flash for artistic purposes from John Shaw's nature photography books. But I suppose, if you're really intent on fully developing your flash skills, plowing through McCartney and then trying to apply what the author has to say, with a lot of experimenting, will be of a little value to you. ... Read more

Book Description

Light is the primary raw material for photography, and learning to use it creatively is one of the key skills required for better picture taking. The Essential Lighting Manual for Photographers offers a complete guide to mastering the art, empowering the amateur photographer and enabling the professional.

The Essential Lighting Manual for Photographers is organized thematically by types of lighting and lighting technique, with practical and inspirational illustrations from popular subjects such as portrait, landscape, natural history, travel, close-up, architecture, interior and animal photography. Technical information covered includes: methods of metering light and achieving correct exposure, and why reflectors are so important; the use of natural daylight, both indoors and out; the use of artificial light; and creative techniques to push photographic results beyond the realms of 'the snapshot'. The book also contains a detailed but clear guide to studio lighting equipment. ... Read more

Book Description

Use natural light like a photographic artist! A truly glamorous fashion or "beauty" picture often needs an exotic setting, and that means meeting the challenges of outdoor photography, from the sun's brightness to overhanging clouds. Control the light, add to it, block it off, or reflect it to create the right alluring look with the help of expert advice and hundreds of magnificent, high-quality images in both color and black-and-white. Here's the whole process of conducting a fashion shoot, from the choice of location to the time of day and techniques employed. Professionals offer tips and explanations, and their setups appear in easy-to-follow diagrams. There's a wealth of different ways to manipulate and artificially enhance the light to create a mood, flatter the subject, and catch the eye. The broad range of styles drawn from editorial, commercial, and personal portfolios will prove invaluable to any photographer.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

great book
I personally feel that I got exactly what i expected.
A book with great full length up-to-date color images, diagrams so that you can see exactly how the lighting was set up, a paragraph explaining why the photographer was hired and what look the client wanted, how and why the photographer chose a certain location and the photographers own comments about the shoot. Oh, also you get to know the camera, film and settings that were used to capture the image.

I like this book because the photographs were actually good!
I felt i learned a bit about the photographer as one says that he never uses reflectors or flashes and how another confessing that it took 4 rolls of film to get the right shot for his portfolio.

Now you're not going to get a full history of the photographer or a step by step guide to shooting outdoor location shots but there is enough said about each picture to give you an better understanding about how it's done.

I look through this book 3-4 times a week and it delivers everytime. ... Read more

Book Description

Use the photographic lighting techniques of the pros! Featuring a selection of beautifully presented shots by well-known professionals, this stunning guide explains how to select and use proper lighting when photographing models in glamour images for beauty, fashion, and lifestyle publications. Many glamour photos feature erotic situations and partially clothed or nude models, so the lighting considerations must take many factors into account. Organized by the type of lighting used--ambient or daylight, single, multiple, etc.--they are accompanied by the expert explanations of what inspired the shot and unique lighting and processing techniques used, as well as overhead views and a perspective drawing of the lighting setup. Information is also included on lighting theory, equipment, and terminology.
... Read more

Reviews (5)

One of the best lighting books
I have been collecting books on photo technique for almost 5 years now. I have been a big fan of the pro lighting series books and have most of them in my collection. I find that these books are really great for inspiration and to answer the "how was it done?" question. "Lighting for Glamour" seems to feature more of the types of photos I find in my magazines. Which is nice. I would recommend going to a local store and looking this and the pro-lighting series books over first before buying and then get the 30% off discount on Amazon.

Misleading title
This book uses VERY editorial fashion photographs as examples... but does'nt explain the VERY complicated lighting. It shows a very basic diagram, thst looks to me like the author made up without the input of the actual photographer.

Great Glamour Cookbook
Bavister's book is full of "cookbook" style lighting setups with one, two, three, and more lights. While the clean, uncluttered diagrams make them easy to recreate, the book does assume that you have the lights, reflectors, gobos, stands, and other equipment required. In short, you're going need studio gear to pull off most of the shots.

That said, great photos, with lots of different styles and variations, make this a book I often pull down simply to spark my creativity. If Bavister had published it as an art book, with out the studio setups and diagrams, it would still have been worth the price.

One note: some reviewers don't understand that, in the photography world, glamour is often a euphemism for nudes. The fact that Amazon didn't mention that the book contains them is no reason to downgrade it.

Buyer Beware!
At no point in the books sample pages nor in it's summary does it warn the reader/buyer about the pornagraphic content of the sample photos.I have no objection to artists compiling books around their interests, but PLEASE let the buyer know that the content of the photos may be objectionable.Or at the very least, include them in your samples. I found this book to be quite offensive rather than instructional, and I returned it back to Amazon.Very dissapointed.

Creative and light
this book is a very helpful way to discover those geat and complicated fashion and gamour techniques , it is full with great photos and lightning ilustrations ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Lighting solutions for any type of flash
I believe MR Krist has written a book that allows photographers who have progressed or wish to progress beyond a one flash light "system" to use as an all purpose guide. This book is NOT just for Nikon users! MR Krist used several different lighting systems in the book. He has a flair for mixing available light, battery powered flashs and portable strobe systems with gels, umbrellas, WEIN triggers/optical slaves to create his images. MR Krist creates environment portraits as the signature style for his coporpate photography. These skills translate well when we want to "spice" up mundane locations with just enough light to make the images look like candid photography. MR Krist's photography can also easily translate into tools for creating product shots, dynamic still life shots and a host of other subjects.
The book follows a logical and easy to read sequence. He addresses basics of lighting. The book gradually builds up to include lighting schemes needed to create complex images.
MR Krist provides sound advice for people who are building or wish to buy a lighting system. See pages page 75 and pages 119 - 127 before making decisions on what lighting system you may want to own. These pages are also helpful if you are looking to upgrade your equipment. MR Krist gives sound advice on selecting light stands, umbrellas, lighting cases, gels, optical slaves, flash cords, batteries and small details that we need to consider when we assemble a flexible lighting system. I wish I'd seen this book three years ago, when I first started to put together a multiple flash kit.

For Nikon Users!
This is a great book if you already have some knowledge of photography and own Nikon equipments. I already owned Nikon gear when I bought this book. So it was very helpful. Also there are lots of things that you can learn from it even if you have camera other than Nikon. The quality of pictures were very good and his writing style is easy to understand. He really shows way to get great effects with one or more than one light source. This book motivated me to shoot more challenging pictures.

Nice to at look at other peoples experiences....
I find this book to be fairly easy read (english is not my first language) though you probably need to have some basic knowledge of photography. He illustrates and describes how he has taken the pictures shown in the book, and it seems to me that it is more a book on personal experiences, and therefor it's mainly about use of his own equiptment (Nikon SLR, Nikon SB24/26 flash etc.)

Not very helpfull
I agree with the other post. Great if you have a Nikon flash, but not much help with other types of lighting solutions. The author needed to get into more detail other than just flash photography. Also,the writing was hard to follow and confusing.

VERY limited scope
This book would prove to be of utmost benefit to those who use a Nikon camera and an SB series flash. You would also benefit from the book if you are taking pictures for large corporations, which the author says has not been done since the 1980s. The book is a little too limited in scope to prove to be of great value. SOME of the diagrams are helpful. ... Read more

Book Description

Illustrated in color throughout, this comprehensive text not only looks at the technical and theoretical aspects of becoming skilled at using the light tools available in 3D software, but also provides invaluable tutorials so you can explore these techniques in-depth.

Lighting is a core CG skill that makes or breaks a 3D environment. Providing all you need to master this vital aspect of CG, this comprehensive guide looks at the key concepts that can be applied in any 3D package.





Every ounce of theory is backed up with practical tutorials, using the free demo version of 3ds max supplied on the accompanying CD-ROM. The tutorials deal with the fundamentals of lighting and as such are easily transferable to any other major 3D software package. The free CD also includes all the files needed to complete the tutorials step-by-step, as well as demo versions of Dark Tree Textures, Deep Paint 3D and Cinelook, acclaimed applications that every lighting artist should be aware of.

If you are new to CG lighting, are thinking of specializing in this area, or want to brush up on your existing lighting skills, then this book will provide you with a one-stop master class so you too can achieve professional looking results.

* Get all you need to know about CG lighting from one easy to use volume
* Put into practice the theories learned with the detailed tutorials and free demo software provided
* Learn both the art and the science of lighting CG environments ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Essential
This book deserves a much higher ranking. It should be at the top of the list with Jeremy Birn's "Digital Lighting & Rendering". In fact, I now recommend this book over the former for my 3d students as it has more technical information. Good lighting techniques are paramount to good CG work - you can never know enough. This is a great book - don't think twice - buy it.

Another Magician
I have been searching for a book on real-world lighting solutions/techniques that can be applied to the CG world for quite some time. Other books have 'grazed' the subject but have never fully explored it. I fear that this book is no different.
Like many other books of the genre, it begins with the all too common basic introduction to the behaviour of light, including its characteristics and how the human eye percieves it. This is by no means a bad thing but I must stress that only a beginner will find value in this, as any seasoned 3D artist already knows this, and then some.
This book illustrates your basic 3 point lighting setup, a few mid-range techniques and only generalises and hints at the more advanced techniques such as setting up realistic dome lighting rigs, soft shadow/light rigs and simulating bounced light. Coupled with software specific tutorials on non-realistic glows and lastly, 60 pages on composition and camera techniques that has no business, given the subject, being in this kind of book.
Lastly, the front cover of the book is misleading in that similar pictures in the book do exist, but no explanation is given as to how they were created. Much more advanced information on lighting can be found on the internet for free.

Essential CG Lighting Techniques
This is an outstanding book, possibly the best on a specialised 3D discipline yet written. ...It is far more useful than the previous classic in this field... If you like me expected lighting in 3D to be a minor event and are annoyed by the effort and skill required to obtain realistic lighting in your scenes, this is the book for you. It will equip you to speed through the process and get on to more interesting phases. It covers everything from basic 3 point lighting to lighting arrays for large subjects, dome arrays for realistic skylight and radiosity simulation, internal lighting for large and small spaces and a host of specialised problems like fire, moonlight, underwater scenes and the usual fog and light beams all with clear and succinct theoretical explanations backed up with step by step tutorials to help you make the knowledge your own. And, thankfully the book is illustrated with decent quality examples rather than the simplistic and crude models that stare from the pages of so many 3D books. After you have mastered the basic operation of your 3d program this should be the first book you buy on the art of 3D work. Well done Mr.Demers - what about a similar treatment for "Essential CG Materials" ? ... Read more