Focusing exclusively on light modifiers and making the most of the least equipment, this in-depth handbook is ideal for use by the beginner and advanced amateurs who wish to take their photography to the next level. Including diagrams and lighting set scenes to facilitate learning and adapting technique, step-by-step critiques of several portrait sessions, and an extensive review of a variety of light modifying tools—from barn doors and snoots to gels, umbrellas, and strip boxes—this invaluable textbook style book reveals the precise steps for obtaining dimension and depth for indoor and outdoor portrait sessions. This resource is a must-have for beginner photographers looking to discover a treasure trove of fresh, creative lighting inspiration, that will surely help add diversity and creative style to your photography
Focusing exclusively on light modifiers and making the most of the least equipment, this in-depth handbook is ideal for use by the beginner and advanced amateurs who wish to take their photography to the next level. Including diagrams and lighting set scenes to facilitate learning and adapting technique, step-by-step critiques of several portrait sessions, and an extensive review of a variety of light modifying toolsÑfrom barn doors and snoots to gels, umbrellas, and strip boxesÑthis invaluable textbook style book reveals the precise steps for obtaining dimension and depth for indoor and outdoor portrait sessions. This resource is a must-have for beginner photographers looking to discover a treasure trove of fresh, creative lighting inspiration, that will surely help add diversity and creative style to your photography
John Siskin lays out a simple process for designing effective strobe-lighting setups for portraits, architecture, still-life images and more. According to Siskin, the most important skill is pre-visualisation. After exploring the quality, quantity, value, versatility and ease of use of many modifiers and sources, including less-traditional laptop screens, flashlights and slide projectors, Siskin moves on to using the correct exposure and camera settings.
Whether shooting portraits or products, skillful lighting can be the difference between a bland snapshot and a stunning, well-defined image. Capturing the ideal photograph requires many technical factors to work in tandem, the most fundamental of which is lighting. While we may take it for granted that light is required to create a photograph, light by itself usually does not produce the style, energy, emotion or feeling that makes a photograph exceptional. It is the way the light has been modified and shaped that gives the photographer the ability to create an image that communicates their feeling about the subject. It’s necessary to understand how light works in order to know how to modify it in the most desirous way. Beginning with simplified light concepts, Rand delves into the basics of light. Light’s natural tendency is to go off in all directions. To give a better understanding of how to control the light that you use in your photographs, Rand guides the reader through a series of discussions defining the light itself, the surfaces that will interact with the light in the photographs, the look of light that we wish to create and the tools, modifiers and shapers that are commonly available for use. Whether you want to add contrast with highlights and shadows or use the softness of diffuse light to add volume to the subject, the fundamentals of these concepts are covered here. Images, diagrams and descriptions are used to illustrate the manners in which light can be modified. From there, the book moves onto the main tools of light modification. Rand discusses the primary functions of each tool and defines the issues of the light’s characteristics after the modification. Techniques are presented for using reflectors, spotlights, softboxes, diffusers, umbrellas, barndoors, gels, scrims, shoots and more. Each chapter is highly illustrated with images of the tools being discussed, diagrams, and examples for the use of these tools in both commercial and portrait photography. Variations in control and problems that may occur with specific modifiers are discussed as well. The goal of this book is to show the effect of modifiers and shapers on the quality of light rather than to discuss the merits of a particular light source. By focusing on the methods to shape light, the photographer is open to improvise in scenarios where they may not have control over the light source. Whether you shoot commercial or portrait photography, this book provides you with the basis for not only successfully, but elegantly shaping light to create your desired result.
In the Internet age, shoppers often don't have the advantage of touching or feeling an item in order to make a logical buying decision regarding. The same is true on menus; we have to decide whether or not to order that fancy drink or dessert based on a photograph of it. This makes the job of photographers more important than ever--without the right photos, even the best product won't sell in today's marketplace! In this book, photographer Allison Earnest shows you how to design images to contain all the information about color, depth, shape, and texture that potential buyers will need to evaluate the product using their eyes alone--and how to entice viewers with scene setups and lighting that set the right mood or match the needs of a specific publication, website, or advertising campaign. Comprehensive text and detailed setup shots make it easy to follow along and master the principles of photographing any product beautifully!
The fundamentals of exposure and the essentials of lighting are explored in this photography reference that uses progressive images from portrait sessions as its basis of explanation. Starting with how light is perceived differently by the camera than the human eye, this resource clarifies the more complicated laws that govern light, breaking the rules down with clear, effective examples. Various light sources are investigated—from simple sunlight to advanced professional and studio systems—as well as the types of lighting units used at different times during the sessions. By adding or modifying one light at a time, a sequence of images shows how the desired effect was achieved, offering photographers step-by-step troubleshooting tips. Concise text paired with photo examples offer any portrait photographer the techniques needed to create perfectly lit images.
Techniques for creating flawless lighting show photographers of all levels how to take full control of their photographic atmosphere in this indispensable guide. Illustrating the physics that govern light; the visual difference between the eye and camera; the qualities of incident and reflected light; and the effects of the size, intensity, direction, contrast, and ratio of light, this manual offers tools for sculpting the face for remarkable portraits. The three desirable positions for the main light are described in detail, as well as how to use those arrangements to accentuate all types of faces—oval, long, angular, heart-shaped, and square—to create portraits with a variety of different effects, from romantic to edgy to high fashion.
Encouraging photographers to take a subject-oriented approach to lighting, this manual shows it is possible to make better decisions about both the technical and artistic aspects of lighting. It teaches how to identify qualities the subject possesses that the light will react with and how to use this knowledge to create perfect photographs. Through a variety of amply illustrated shoots, the book explains how to approach each image from the perspective of controlling the subjectÕs appearance to match the photographerÕs vision for the picture. This comprehensive guide covers such topics as the benefits and drawbacks of various lighting tools, the effect of light placement, and controlling lighting ratios. Designed for intermediate-to-advanced photographers, it illustrates techniques for using light as a tool to capture the subject in the best possible manner.
Hit the ground running with this no-nonsense guide to outdoor portraits! Acclaimed photo-educator Jeff Smith shows you how to design beautiful images that virtually sell themselves. Quick lessons take you through every step of the process in detail, showing you how to select locations, and then use natural light alone or in harmony with reflected light and/or strobe lighting for flawless results. Smith shows you what to look for (and avoid) when lighting the subject’s eyes and face, and demonstrates exactly how to balance your scene and subject for portraits all day long (even at the tricky midday hours). With this all-day approach to location lighting, you’ll be able to book sessions that are more personalized, more profitable, and more convenient—for both you and your clients.
Learn to achieve the best possible images with minimal lighting equipment Author Bob Davis is a photographer whose high-profile clients include Oprah Winfrey and Eva Longoria, and whose work has appeared in Time, O Magazine, and People. Along with his invaluable professional advice, this beautiful full-color book includes a DVD featuring portions of his workshop curriculum. He covers the elements of lighting and shares his two-strobe technique that will enable you to create studio-quality lighting anywhere with only minimal equipment. High-profile photographer Bob Davis is especially known for his lighting techniques; this book shares his advice on lighting for professional photographers and serious amateurs Covers all the key elements of photographic lighting, with informative illustrations and lighting grids Details the author's pioneering two-strobe technique that reduces the amount of equipment a photographer must carry to a shoot and dramatically lowers equipment costs Features professional tips and stunning full-color images 60-Minute DVD includes video from the author's three-day lighting and photography workshop Lights, Camera, Capture: Creative Lighting Techniques for Digital Photographersoffers your professional advice worth many times the cost of the book. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
