Chris Grey takes readers beyond the basics of lighting and shows them the tricks professionals use to create more visually complex effects. Some of these tricks are complex strategies that rely on a sophisticated understanding of the physics of light, but more are simply inventive solutions that make it surprisingly easy to produce a very sophisticated result. Each chapter teaches one basic technique, explains the concept, demonstrates the set-up step-by-step and reveals the final results. Will appeal to both active professionals and students.
Portraiture tends to rely on standardized, established lighting techniques, but most photographers know that subscribing to traditional methods does not always flatter every subject. The techniques collected in this guide will heighten the senses of mystery and drama in a digital photographer's work by enhancing shape and contrast, keeping images fashionable and appealing with less reliance on natural light, and illuminating a subject's eyes without producing catchlights. In this manner, textbook lighting setups can act as a springboard to creating personal and artistic high-quality portraits featuring new, radically-altered lighting effects. Multiple series of before-and-after photos comprehensively illustrate how to utilize these new methods to create emotion-evoking works of art that do more than simply capture the likeness of a subject
Without light, there is no photograph. As almost every photographer knows, the word “photograph” has its roots in two Greek words that, together, mean “drawing with light.” But what is less commonly acknowledged and understood is the role that shadow plays in creating striking, expressive imagery, especially in portraiture. It is through deft, nuanced use of both light and shadow that you can move beyond shooting simply ordinary, competent headshots into the realm of creating dramatic portraiture that can so powerfully convey a subject’s inner essence, communicate a personal narrative, and express your photographic vision.
In The Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Crafting Light and Shadow, Chris Knight addresses portraiture with a unique approach to both light and shadow that allows you to improve and elevate your own portraiture. He begins with the history of portraiture, from the early work of Egyptians and Greeks to the sublime treatment of light and subject by artists such as Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. Chris then dives into a deep, hands-on exploration of light, shadow, and portraiture, offering numerous lessons and takeaways. He covers:
• The qualities of light: hard, soft, and the spectrum in between
• The relationships between light, subject, and background, and how to control them
• Lighting patterns such as Paramount, Rembrandt, loop, and split
• Lighting ratios and how they affect contrast in your image
• Equipment: from big and small modifiers to grids, snoots, barn doors, flags, and gels
• Multiple setups for portrait shoots, including those that utilize one, two, and three lights
• How color contributes to drama and mood, eliciting an emotional response from the viewer
• How to approach styling your portrait, from wardrobe to background
• The post-processing workflow, including developing the RAW file, maximizing contrast, color grading, retouching, and dodging and burning for heightened drama and effect
Now that you’ve had your DSLR for a while, are you ready to take a much closer look at what creating a great image is all about? It’s all about light! The ability to see, influence, modify, control, and create light will take your images from snapshots to great shots! In Lighting for Digital Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots, photographer and bestselling author Syl Arena begins with a primer on light itself—how to see its direction, intensity, color, contrast, and hardness—and quickly moves on to discussions of shooting both indoors and outdoors in the many different conditions of natural or man-made light. Then the book digs in to begin creating light with photographic lights, whether that’s small flash or big strobe, the pop-up flash on your DSLR or continuous lights. Follow along with Syl and you will: Learn the basics (and beyond) of light modifiers that make light bigger and softer, such as umbrellas, softboxes, beauty dishes, and diffusion panels Understand how to control and shape the light itself with flags, grids, snoots, and the zoom function on your flash Appreciate the color temperature of light (whether that’s the sun, a light bulb, or a flash), and how to influence it with white balance settings on your camera and colored gels on your flash Learn how to take great pictures across many different genres, from product and still life images, to simple (and not so simple) portraits and group shots With Lighting for Digital Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots, you’ll learn not only how light behaves—you’ll learn all you need to know to get started on the journey of creating and controlling light in order to make great shots. And once you’ve got the shot, show it off! Join the book’s Flickr group, share your photos, and discuss how you get great shots at flickr.com/groups/lightingfromsnapshotstogreatshots.
This guide opens with in-camera flash basics, then moves to topics such asxposure flash readings, detachable units, flash guide numbers, bounce flash,nd fill flash, then covers advanced methods for using off-camera flash,lash brackets, power packs, remote triggering, and other techniques.
Portraits preserve people Since the earliest portraits were scratched onto cave walls, we've developed increasingly sophisticated tools for capturing human likenesses. Yet the motivation has changed little -- to freeze a human image as an art form, a means of communication, a piece of personal history. Whether formalized with elaborate settings and lighting or snapped at the beach to hold forever the pure joy in a child's face, portraits preserve people. Today's digital technology offers flexibility, economy, and almost limitless tools for perfecting your images, and these experts help you use it. * Discover the skills you need to move from serious amateur to professional photographer * Learn how a snapshot differs from a casual portrait * Identify what you want your portrait to communicate * Investigate lighting equipment and how to use it in different scenarios * Use natural or mixed light to create unique effects * Explore composition, posing, and handling challenges * Handle props, backgrounds, color, location shooting, and studio shots * Work with groups, children, and pets * Perfect image-editing methods and final-touch processes that produce high-quality, professional images * Find resources that can help you in setting up your own portrait business
How to make digital photography lighting more creative—and less challenging! How do you master the art of lighting your photographs? Go beyond the basics, go beyond the "rules," and get creative with the help of renowned photographer Harold Davis. In this book, Harold shows you how to break the boundaries of conventional wisdom and create unique, lively, and beautifully lit photographs. Packed with tips and tricks as well as stunning examples of the author’s creativity, this book will both inform and inspire you to create your own lighting style. Teaches you when and how to control the light in your photographs Reviews the basic “rules” of digital photography lighting and shows you how to break the rules to create your own uniquely lit images Helps you start building a lighting style of your own Includes stunning examples of the author’s photography and lighting techniques Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned digital photographer, you'll find ideas and techniques to spark your creativity.
Improve your photography with more than 200 lighting tips from a top photographer Written by Canon Explorer of Light Rick Sammon and leading fashion and studio photographer Vered Koshlano, this guide is packed with professional advice on the essential element of photography: lighting. It provides detailed information and insider secrets that are bound to make you a better photographer. You'll learn the basics of studio lighting as well as how to achieve special effects. A 90-minute DVD is included, with additional tips on using reflectors, diffusers, accessory flashes, and more. Explores the basics of studio lighting in various situations Features more than 200 lighting tips and secrets for planning and taking the most impressive digital images in the studio Compares available camera equipment, accessories, software, and printing options Covers post-shoot digital darkroom techniques and workflow tips and tricks Companion DVD includes advice on making the most of accessories such as diffusers, reflectors, and accessory flashes Written by two top professional photographers and illustrated with full-color examples Studio and Location Lighting Secrets provides information from the pros to improve your photograpic skills. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
Accessible for professionals and hobbyists alike, this guide helps photographers navigate the transition from traditional flash and hot lights to light-emitting diode (LED) lights, the hottest new trend in lighting technology. It demystifies the process of choosing the right LED light for projects, presents commonsense methods for using LEDs and offers suggestions for achieving the perfect lighting colour and balance. Includes examples of how to use LEDs in still life images, portraits and even moving pictures. The essential guide to the biggest new trend in photography.
