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.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
Has some serious flaws, December 19, 2008
By
David Siegel (New York, ny United States)
I was excited to get this book, because I want to get into lighting. I was hoping for a section describing fluorescent "always on" lights, and the tradeoffs between them and strobes. But he doesn't mention this at all. It's all about strobes. I'm sure strobes are the way to go, but I'm very sorry he doesn't say why.
Also, he got the f-stop chart wrong. He says f/4 is one stop below f/8, and that's just wrong. I wonder if he knows what a stop is, because he talks in the text as though stops are all powers of 2, rather than powers of square root of 2.
I'd look for something else.
Wouldn't recommend for a beginner, November 16, 2008
By
Photo Girl (Charlotte, NC USA)
There is a lot of good information in this book, but if you are a beginner I wouldn' suggest it.
The light experiments you wanted to do, done for you., September 30, 2008
By
Richard Yazwinski (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
I found this book super-helpful. The light setups are clearly documented. Good pointers of what to watch for and what you should be careful not to do. A definite asset to a photographer's lighting library.
Exactly what I was looking for, September 11, 2008
By
J. Strayer (Pleasant Grove, UT United States)
this book is great - numerous test shots for each lighting style which highlighted subtle variations in the test shots based on changes in the lighting setup. Diagrams illustrating the equipment used and it's position - the only thing I would have added is more specific distance information for the diagrams, including height.
great intermediate lighting guide, September 8, 2008
By
MartiI bought this book thinking I would be able to easily set up a studio from it.
I found this book extremely informative BUT on a medium to high-end level.
It is not really a practical guide for the beginning photographer however, I am sure I will be refereing it to in the future.
Chris Grey explains how he set up his lighting in order to get the shots he shows in this book.
My problem was that most of his sets are based on the photographer buying many many different types of reflectors, lights and flags etc.
He does not really explain the simple, beginners studio.
He does not explain for low ceilings etc.
He shows his shots and explains how he got them so if you have the same set up, the same size room etc, you too can reproduce these shots.
While it is a well written book, I found it to be on a high level.
If someone is already at this level of lighting equipment, then he already knows all the info on ratios Chris writes about.
Great reference guide and enjoyable to read.
Not for the beginner who wishes to use it as a guide to setting up his first studio.
