Book Description
An amazing (and some would say magical) resource on photographic lighting that has been talked about in the community and recommended for years.This highly respected guide has been thoroughly updated and revised for content and design - it is now produced in full color!It introduces a logical theory of photographic lighting so if you are starting out in photography you will learn how to predict results before setting up lights. This is not primarily a how-to book with only set examples for you to copy. Rather, Light: Science and Magic provides you with a comprehensive theory of the nature and principles of light to allow you to use lighting to express your own creativity.

Numerous photographs and illustrations provide clear examples of the theories, while sidebars highlight special lighting questions.Expanded chapters on available light in portraiture, as well as new information on digital equipment and terminology make this a must have update!

*New four color art package with contemporary lighting examples
*Based on the behaviour of light
*Theory book for serious photographers ... Read more

Customer Reviews (73)

must have book
no serious amatuer or prophotographer should be without this book on light and how to use it properly for better pictures.....film or digital it makes no difference

Top notch
It would be hard to add much to what has already been said by so many.This is an excellent book on lighting for photography.I'd highlight again that this isn't a cookbook but instead focuses on the fundamentals.If you're looking for step by step instructions on how to reproduce the latest lighting gimmick you've seen in magazine ads then go elsewhere.If you're looking for a book on the fundamentals that will allow you to create your own lighting with ease and reverse engineer anyone else's lighting then this is the book you want.There are lots of books on photography and lighting out there and few that have much useful to say.This is probably one of the highest quality and most consistently useful books in the field of photography I've ever seen.

Help for glass and metal photography
Recently, I was asked to photograph clear, glass dishware.My search for resources led me to "Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting" by Fil Hunter, Steven Biver, and Paul Fuqua.My questions about glass photography were answered, and the examples and hints given were extremely useful.This text will not answer all your questions, and other sources are needed for detailed operational instructions for flash lighting.Hunter, Biver, and Fuqua will give you an excellent overview of concepts and "how to" for key lighting problems including shiny metal, glass and protraits. An excellent use is as a text for continuing education photography students, and as an addition to the library of advanced, non-pro photographers.

Absolute must have
If you're just starting with photography and have mastered your camera, exposure basics and composition basics - it's time to read this book. If you're a professional or advanced amateur - it's time to read this book. Absolutely eye opening. Worth every penny. Enlightenment in every chapter.

Don't be put off by appearances...
Okay so when I opened this book I wasn't too excited. There weren't a lot of pretty pictures... and there were (eek) diagrams. It looked like a text book, and an old fashioned one at that. But once I started reading it, everything began to come clear. For the longest time, lighting has been a mystery to me. And achieving acceptable lighting has been a guessing game because no one has ever explained it to me. This book explains it all. It covers some of the more notoriously difficult lighting scenarios on the premise that if can master those, you can photograph anything. It also lays the groundwork for you to make your own creative lighting choices. After reading a good portion of this book, I feel like I understand the science of lighting enough feel more confident in choosing appropriate lighting for many situations. If you are new to photography you can save yourself a lot of time and a lot frustration by reading this book. ... Read more

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

Customer Reviews (53)

In a nutshell guide
Very useful for describing foundation lighting setups. The point of this book is to inform your choices rather than to show off the author's 'talent', which is so abysmally common in books of this type. It's concise and straight to the point - exactly as I like it.

My experience is about 85% with natural light, & now I want to learn more about alternatives. My appreciation goes to Mr Grey.

Enough said, buy it!
Enough people that are far smarter than I have written very descriptive essays almost on why this is a great book to buy. That being said, I will just say I concur, buy it! As a beginner, I found it very eye opening and invaluable.

Good Source for Basic Information
This is a good book to start with for basic lighting set-ups for specific (and a little generic) looks with relevant explanations.I have mostly an artistic background and this is a good intro to more commercial standards to play around with.It does not necessarily explain some of the more current styles of lighting, but it does work with a solid foundation.

A very good book!,
This is the material that is ausent here, in Uruguay. I believe the reviews before published, were right!! and I'm very pleasant to recommend this book!

Good Book
This was actually a gift for a friend, but I always try to peruse before I hand over a book just to make sure it doesn't have any questionable content.

I am not very interested in photography, but I found the book very fascinating. If I had had time, I would have read it more in depth.

However, the reason I did not give it a fifth star is because it had some questionable pictures in it. Nothing too bad, but it was enough to catch my attention. Because of the pictures, this is a book I would only give to responible adults. Definitely not to kids or teens. ... Read more

Book Description
Even with digital cameras and automatic exposure, lighting and exposure remain the most difficult element to master in the quest for quality photography. This book, written by a professional photographer for photographers, provides real-world advice to help you achieve true creative control over lighting and exposure. Discover how to take your digital photos to the next level with the scores of lighting diagrams, techniques, and stunning full-color photographs. Order your copy today! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

A fantastic reference book
I am trying to advance my photography skills (from novice) and I found this book to be very helpful. It covers everything I was looking for.

Easy read but simply not practical
This book was an easy read, and the 368 pages flew by.The writing style is good, smooth, and the book is well edited for grammar and spelling.The sections on lighting were well executed, and seemed complete enough.The authors' description of the various types of lights, meters, reflectors, etc was good and included when and how to use them throughout the book.The construction quality of the book is very good.Nice color photographs throughout.

The exposure sections, which make up the bulk of the book, were simply not practical.First, this book wouldn't work for a beginner because the authors failed to start on square one.They assumed prior knowledge of subjects, rules, and referred to them without any additional explanation.

Conversely, if you are well read on the topic of photography, I don't feel like the authors brought anything new to the table.What sets this book apart from the others?

Next, the authors pointed out roughly 10-12 "rules of thumb" throughout the book, like increasing exposure compensation +1 or +2 stops for snow photos.

While the rules of thumb are valuable, it truly becomes "rule by exception", instead of taking one or two applicable rules that always hold true, they give you 12 rules that apply to 12 different situations.Good luck remembering those!

The book has an obvious reoccurring cliche that gets boring after awhile.This central repeated theme is:

1. Shoot RAW.
2. Use exposure bracketing.
3. Default camera metering modes don't always work, spot meter in that case.
4. Use exposure compensation when necessary.
5. Supplement available light, if possible.

Better books are available on the subject.

I'd highly recommend "Complete Digital Photography" by Ben Long, especially the chapters on Exposure and Metering.They are both really strong chapters.

Complete Digital Photography, Fourth Edition (Graphics Series)

Another good book, although mostly for beginners, is "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)

very nice straightforward tips
This book does bring something more to the novice that I am in photography and that in a concise way. I would strongly recommend it to those just starting to learn how to make better shots in a more professional way

Informative book
Very good and helpful ideas to help with lighting and exposures when you use your digital camera......

Very informative!!!!
This book is very good for beginners with DSLRs.It helped me a lot. Very well recommended. ... Read more

Book Description
Motion Picture and Video Lighting, Second Edition, is the indispensable guide to film and video lighting. Written by the author of the industry bible Cinematography, this book explores technical, aesthetic, and practical aspects of lighting for film and video. It will show you not only how to light, but why. Written by an experienced professional, this comprehensive book explores light and color theory; equipment, and techniques to make every scene look its best.

Now in full color, Motion Picture and Video Lighting is heavily illustrated with photos and diagrams throughout.

This new edition also includes the ultimate 'behind the scenes' DVD that takes you directly on a professional shoot and demonstrates technical procedures and equipment. In addition, 20 video clips include lighting demonstrations, technical tests, fundamentals of lighting demos, and short scenes illustrating different styles of lighting.

* The definitive book on film and video lighting
* Now in full color, with hundreds of illustrations and diagrams
* NEW ultimate DVD including "behind-the-scenes" video, lighting demonstrations, technical tests, fundamentals of lighting demos and so much more ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Best book for DP students
After a long lifetime as a practicing director of photography, I now also teach graduate film and video lighting at the San Francisco Academy of Art University. In a quest for the best book for my students, one that provides background and needed information to the hands-on work we do, I searched through most of the available texts and found Blain Brown's to be by far the best book out there for aspiring directors of photography. Until this semester, I used his previous edition. I am delighted by this new edition, which brings many out-of-date issues up to date.

For a purely technical book, a gaffer's "bible," see Harry Box's Set Lighting Technician's Handbook, Third Edition: Film Lighting Equipment, Practice, and Electrical Distribution

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'sinstruments and protocol. The text, though, seems to speak more to thecameraperson or AC who is curious about lighting. There is a lack ofattention given to the juicers and hammers who are actually creating andshaping the light. There is a considerable amount of text granted toelectrics and the distribution of power, but much more thorough and muchmore practically explained definitions are readily available in Harry Box's"Set Lighting Technician's Handbook." ... Read more

Book Description
Priceless--yet practical--ideas and insights from the master of portrait photography
* Ready-to-use insider tips for photographers at every level
* Author teaches across the country and is renowned for sharing his secrets

Michael Grecco is one of the best-known celebrity photographers in the world. His beautiful, insightful work is all around us--on movie posters, in advertising, on magazine covers, everywhere. "I delight in inspiring people," he writes. "I want them to stop, think, and feel." Now Grecco shares the secrets of great portraits with photographers at every level, in Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait. Sections on cameras, illumination, film and digital, creativity and conceptualization, connecting with the subject, and having a point of view, plus intriguing case studies that show "how I got that picture," make this book a resource photographers will use again and again through the years. Whether the subject is a star or a soccer mom, Grecco shows how to add artistry, drama, wit, humor, and personality to their portrait. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Heavy on the name dropping, light on the details
Obviously, Michael Grecco is an accomplished photographer, his body of work speaks for itself.On the dust jacket and in the introduction, Grecco says, "...Assistants and other photographers have asked why I would want to give away my secrets in a book..."After reading this book, I would like to assure Mr. Grecco's contemporaries that his secrets still lie safe with him.

Lots of allusions to celebrity and lots of high end equipment name dropping occur.There is very little discussion about development of the theme of an image.This is definitely a book for Grecco fans not for experienced photographers seeking additional insight.The title is deceptive, the chapter on Illumination is 44 pages, that's right, 44 pages.

Don't bother.

The pictures are pretty
There are a lot of pretty pictures, and a few lighting diagrams, but most of this book is Mr. Grecco recounting his favorite photo shoots with stories that don't lend much to teaching new photographers. It may be packed full of inspiration, but it's lacking on inspiration. Also, you will be hard pressed to recreate any of the images you see here, unless you have the kind of budget that would suggest you not be concerned about spending the $30 for this book anyway.

wonderful peek into the world of reknowned pro photographer
This book is everything I had hoped.I wanted to see how the "big guys" get such gorgeous shots.It's true that just owning an expensive dSLR does not make you a professional, it takes practice, lots of photo shoots, and, most importantly, an eye for creativity.Grecco is an extraordinary photographer.I know I'll probably never be photographing celebrities or have the budget for a clan of assistants and high price lighting equipment, but some of his techniques I can certainly adapt.This is a wonderful book with enough tips and beautiful images to inspire any photographer.

Good beginning book
This is a good beginning lighting book, and it includes a helpful introduction to lighting terminology, techniques, and tools.Unlike many portraiture books, this one focuses more on editorial rather than consumer portraiture.As such, the illustrations are edgier and more conceptual.The book is pretty thin on substance, however, and rather high on ego.A good introduction, but nothing more.Hicks and Schultz's book Photographing People; Portraits, fashion, glamourhas much better lighting diagrams and a lot more technical variety and instruction.

A wonderful aproach, not so technical and not so philosophic
In this book, Grecco show us pictures and the creation ideas about them.
The lighting set-ups is only top view, but in his text, Grecco explain how create each image, the concept and techniques.

A good book for photographers that love portrait and want learn more about this photography segment. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Tells how to use the softbox tool to produce superior photography lighting results
Stephen A. Dantzig's SOFTBOX LIGHTING TECHNIQUES FOR PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS tells how to use the softbox tool to produce superior photography lighting results, from understanding how softboxes work to their different sizes, shapes, and range of possibilities. Techniques range from producing glamour shots and interior images to using color temperatures effectively and modifying lighting with scrims and masks.

Superb Resource for Softbox Lighting Techniques
Unlike Steve's previous two books "Lighting Techniques for Fashion and Glamour Photography" and Master Lighting Techniques for Outdoor and Location Portrait Photography", "Softbox Lighting Techniques for Professional Photographers" is light on all the theoretical techie talk ie: Inverse Square Law etc . . . and heavy on the creative use ofSoftbox Lighting. Almost every page of the 122 page book is illustrated with Stephen's beautiful photography along with diagrams to help illustrate his points. For those of you who are technically impaired like myself this will be a breath of fresh air! If you like the nuts and bolts of lighting, then make sure you pick either of Stephen's previous two books, which go into much greater detail on these topics.

Once you get through a short chapter on the Characteristics of Light, you are headlong into the practical use of Softbox lighting along with chapters on softbox modiefiers and combining hard and soft light sources to give you images some snap. The book does not stop there, it finishes with chapters on using softboxes to light commercial interiors and products as well as a chapter on using the softbox for outdoor lighting. Stephen has left no stone unturned with this latest in his Trilogy of Lighting books.

The only real complaint I have for this book are the Lighting Diagrams, for my personal taste I prefer diagrams illustrated from the Camera's perspective and not the models, which avoids me having to constantly flip the image in my head. A minor nitpick at best.

Even acclaimed commercial photographer Will Crockett was noted as saying "Professionals and non-pros alike will find something of use in Steve's new book and we think the info on "Combining Light Sources" in Chapter 4, is some of the best we've seen on this topic." I totally Agree!

Bottom line, if you are a seasoned portrait shooter looking to spice up your typical softbox images or a beginner looking into adding the softbox to your arsenal of lighting tools, we highly recommend this book!

Cris Mitchell
Publisher
ProPhotoResource[dot]com ... Read more

Book Description
Comprehensive. Detailed. Practical. Set Lighting Technician's Handbook, Third Edition is a friendly, hands-on manual covering the day-to-day practices, equipment, and tricks of the trade essential to anyone doing motion picture lighting. This handbook offers a wealth of practical technical information, useful techniques, as well as aesthetic discussions.

The Set Lighting Technician's Handbook focuses on what is important when working on-set: trouble-shooting, teamwork, set protocol, and safety. It describes tricks and techniques for operating a vast array of lighting equipment including xenons, camera synchronous strobes, black lights, underwater units, lighting effects units, and many others. Since its first edition, this handy on-set reference continues to be widely adopted as a training and reference manual by union training programs as well as top university film production programs. New in the third edition is an expanded resource section, new illustrations and tables, and coverage of new lighting products and techniques for how to use them.

Expanded resources section: websites, unions, chat groups, bulletin boards, etc, plus new illustrations and tables
More advanced, concise, and comprehensive than ever
Coverage of new lighting products and techniques to help you use them ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Must have
Great book, lots of detail for any working Lighting tech, or aspiring tech. Great for a indi-film makers library.

A lot of Really Good Info.
A MUST HAVE for the inside scoop into the Industry.

Great for beginners or review for experts
If your planing a career in the motion picture or television business than this book will greatly advance your technical knowledge of the business.If your an old pro at the business the book is great for a quick reference to prepare you for a shoot.

A must have, for any D.O.P
This wonderful book, covering all the major areas in lighting, in enough detail to give a solid grounding. w

While it may appear a little too technical for the absolute beginner, it does offer a solid base in knowledge for those with a little experiance wanting to expand their knowledge, and take away plenty of ideas with which they can put to trial on future set's.

If your looking to become a cinematographer; but feel there are gaps in your knowledge, get this book. I believe it to be a must have.

Everything you wanted to know about lighting Film and TV but where afraid to ask
Harry C. Box's book on Set lighting for film and TV is the most comprehensive book on the subject. He writes with humor and an insiders knowledge, while taking the time to explain things as though you where a novice. If anyone is considering a career in Film production this is a must read on their list. ... Read more

Book Description
Crafting a perfect rendering in 3D software means nailing all thedetails. And no matter what software you use, your success in creatingrealistic-looking illumination, shadows and textures depends on yourprofessional lighting and rendering techniques. In this lavishlyillustrated new edition, Pixar's Jeremy Birn shows you how to:

• Master Hollywood lighting techniques to produce professional results in any 3D application
• Convincingly composite 3D models into real-world environments
• Applyadvanced rendering techniques using subsurface scattering, globalillumination, caustics, occlusion, and high dynamic range images
• Design realistic materials and paint detailed texture maps
• Mimicreal-life camera properties such as f-stops, exposure times,depth-of-field, and natural color temperatures for photorealisticrenderings
• Render in multiple passes for greater efficiency and creative control
• Understand production pipelines at visual effects and animation studios
• Develop your lighting reel to get a job in the industry
  

Customer Reviews (24)

Really Good Book..
I'm an artist not a writer, so bare with me. This book is great and straight to the point. It doesn't go into the history of a pixel or where CG began..It's concise and easy to read. It's general information that every CG artist wants too or should know because sometimes other artist don't want to share. Plus coming from a writer who is/was in the industry is a major plus! Definitely recommend it...

Highly recommended
I had a big 3D project on my plate last year and wanted to learn more about lighting.This book has taken my 3D art to a new level.The writer took the info as far as he could without being application specific but I was able to apply everything in this book to my 3D program. It's the only lighting reference I look to.A fantastic book.

Good book.
This is the best book on lighting I have read. There are many books out there that touch on lighting but nothing as complete as this. There were many new concepts in it for me. I liked that he covered faking global illumination and went over the real way of setting it up. I work in video games and we have to fake it. He also covered some other basic 3D concepts and even though I would call myself an veteran of 3D I was able to gleen some new things. Great book and I would recommend purchasing it for the beginner and advanced user.

it's a digital lighting bible
I've seen many books about CG lighting, and this one is definintealy the best. It became much more solid since the first edition.
Well, what a beginner in cg wants to know about cg lighting? To understand the basics, such as: how to light indoor and outdoor scenes in any renderer?At evening, in daylight? How about artificial lights simulation, such as torches? How to light characters? What kind of hidden controls are available that I could use to make my lighting more effective? What about the colors of lights? This book replies these questions elegantly and in a very organised manner.
I've read it many times and still find useful tips, such as bitmap rgb range values for gi lighting that work best with lighting, more sophisticated use of gobos instead of regular lights, lighting techniques to produce some quick tests etc.
I would say it's a gift to cg world, because I don't know how would I study cg lighting without such a valuable source, there's not a book about cg lighting to compare in quality.

Designers, photographers, 3D designers...
This is for you all, probably every one knows what is shadow but i bet no one know how many ways there are to make it. I need it expecially for shadows problems on 3D graphics, it gave me a special cool knowledge about colors that no one more than the author can give you ! ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Great solution


At the middle of last year I opened a photo studio. So, I can say, I'm still beginner int this topic. So, this book was very helpful for me to gt advance knowledge about art of making great photos.

Very helpful
I thought this book was very helpful it gave many tips that will be useful. I would recommend this book to a friend.

Lighting Bible? Definitely NOT
This book does not live up to it's title. If you are looking for a technical reference book to all aspects of studio lighting, lighting equipment, technology and techniques then you will be disappointed.
This book gives simple examples of different subjects and genres with nice photo's and a basic description of the lighting setup involved.
I'm only an amateur and found this book disappointing as I thought I'd find all my answers and learning in one book. I'm going to have to purchase individual books on studio lighting get the technical help I was looking for.

Bible?Not quite.
This book offers several lighting examples graphics to show approximate lighting configurations.I would expect from a book with Bible in its title to be a little more technical,but in this book there is no reference to lighting ratios nor the different types of lighting in different positions.As an example what type of light source is best for the main light, what type of light source is best for the kicker light, what type of light source is best for the hair light, WHAT are good ratios between hair light kicker light and main light.If the author chose not to influence the reader with "best use" there could have been some comparative photos to show the differences between lighting setups.

This book is better used as a coffee table book instead of an instruction manual.I am disappointed. ... Read more

Book Description
Digital video students and enthusiasts must learn lighting fundamentals and techniques to enhance the visual quality of their work. Moreover, since lighting specifications for digital video differ significantly from those for analog video or film, professional videographers and cinematographers must learn how to adapt their lighting skills for this new digital medium to ensure that the final product meets broadcast standards.

This complete course in digital video and television lighting begins with how the human eye and the camera process light and color, progresses through the basics of equipment and setups, and culminates with practical lessons on how to solve common problems. It features clear illustrations and real-world examples that demonstrate proper equipment use, safety issues, and staging techniques. Detailed diagrams, figures, and photos illustrate techniques that enable novices to complete basic lighting setups. This new edition also features a 16-page color insert and new chapters on interview setups and lighting for low budgets.

Get a complete course in video and television lighting from a seasoned pro. Detailed illustrations and real-world examples demonstrate proper equipment use, safety issues, troubleshooting, and staging techniques. This new edition features an 8-page 4-color insert and new chapters on interview setups, as well as low-budget lighting set-ups. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Everything You Need To Know, and Interesting Too!
This is an amazing book. The guy is a true pro and explains everything you need to know to get takes that look professional on the first try.

The book is really well written and organized. I blows by while you learn all the hows and whys of lighting video.

I recomend this to anyone who feels that they are not at the professional level with lighting yet. It will change your life.

Enlightening book
Overall, I think this book is very easy to read. The author starts with the basic elements of lighting and builds on that foundation. I am using it with a lighting for video class that I am enrolled in, but would be very helpful by itself. The pictures really help to guide the process and set up your lighting scenerios properly.

Just brilliant insight. really easy to read.
This book changed my perspective of lighting being a beginner and it gave me so much insight and the buzz words to work with the pros... Truly enjoyed it and refer to it often! (NO I am not the author)heheI just really liked it. It rocks!!

A Must Purchase for the Filmmaker
Lighting for Digital Video & Television introduces the basics of lighting for film and video in a very concise and lucid manner. The information published here will serve the filmmaker with very little or no budget as well as those with professional budgets.The author presents both relevant theory and practical advice.The single best book I have purchased on the subject of lighting for video.

putting the 'lights' in "lights; camera; action"
This content of this book is consistent with the "DV Expert series" range, which I would say are aimed at the novice who has discovered that 'automatic' settings don't really work in most situations and wantto understand why and how to start taking their abilities up to the intermediate level.

There are many books on lighting out there, be it for still photography, stage lighting, etc and they all cover the same basic 3 point lighting principles, however this book builds upon this by showing how certain aspects relate to digital video. It also throws in real world examples of lighting situations likely to be encountered and ways to work with them.

I think this is a great book for anyone with a consumer/prosumer video camera and wants to get to grips with subject lighting. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book, informative and interesting.
Everything from the essentials to creative lighting is covered in this book.The works of many leading photographers are illustrated as well as technical aspects and tips.A must-have for those seeking superlative wedding images. ... Read more

Book Description
Residential Lighting is the complete guide to illuminating single-family homes.

• Examines the "how" behind the art of residential lighting.
• Emphasizes use of "light layering"-using variety of lighting sources together.
• Features more illustrations, room-based design strategies, common lighting mistakes, and a larger color section.

Customer Reviews (13)

No better than an out of date Sunset Volume.
Sorry to differ with others, but this does not even qualify as a "book". It is closer to a magazine article in its subject depth. The photos are all out of date. The side bars for the first chapter contain all the knowledge offered. The rest is just redundant filler. Expect no more than you would get from some old Sunset "book".

Excellent comprehensive overview
At last a book that does not just contain pictures of extravigant architecture and lighting techniques. It contains real applicable information for all involved in the lighting industry.

For profefessionals only...
This book is a good (not great) reference for home planners, engineers or interior designers but if you are looking for inspiration and the newest lighting ideas, well...try somewhere else.
I expected a book with nice color pictures, beautifull layout and ambient lighting ideas and felt most disappointed.
Almost every picture reminds me of my grand mother or my old aunt home, they are so outdated! and the quality is so poor!! So don't get mislead with the front cover picture!!!...

A most excellent book
Well detailed, provides basic info about lamp types, color, and specific information/suggestions for each room, even outdoors/landscape lighting.A bit pricey, but still worth it.Read it cover to cover.

Residential Lighting - A Practical Guide
This is an excellent practical and technical book for learning about and designing lighting for a home. It's aimed at the professional, which I appreciate as an intern architect. Part of my job is to design sophisticated lighting schemes for custom homes, which takes a lot of experience and knowledge. This book has really helped me to pinpoint the different kinds of lighting needed for each space and how to place it and specify it in a professional way for the greatest effect. Most architects take years to learn this, but I'm getting a crash course by having this resource. It's not a fluffy coffee table book, it's a technical manual that teaches HOW to properly understand and design lighting for a residence. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description
The inspired illumination of any given space can amplify its aesthetic impact and take it from the pedestrian to the sublime. And, for years, this excellent reference has guided architects and designers in the achievement of lighting artistry. Enhanced with more than one hundred new illustrations, Interior Lighting for Designers, 4th Edition takes readers step-by-step through the lighting design process as it covers lighting terminology, perception, general design strategies, and much more.

Revised to address recent advances in lighting technology and practice, this edition also covers new equipment as well as revised specifications for existing equipment. Color photos of various design applications beautifully illustrate project concepts. Little wonder that this work has been identified as one of the "key preparation references" for design professionals facing their Lighting Certified examination. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Very good book!
This is a great lighting design book, lots of graphical explanations, lots of useful information, a must-buy for any kind of interior designer!

Not Good Introductory Textbook Material
This is a required book for an introductory lighting class I'm taking.Since we are solely relying on this book and it isn't supplemented with lecture material, I find that, without familiarity with lighting terminology and concepts, it is very difficult to understand -- very cryptic with the seemingly overused language of the field.While the author may be very knowledgeable, I feel the book is not very well written and the target audience is, perhaps, not intended to be, essentially, the layman.I don't find the organization of ideas and concepts to be clearly laid out or communicated well and, as they unfold, and I come to understand what the author is trying to say,wonder why it was made so difficult -- is that all he means, geesh and why didn't he tell me that earlier.It would be easier to understand the general concept of things first, even in plain English perhaps, and then go on to a more technical description to learn the language of the field and get the details.Just seems to make simple things very complicated, especially with the language, flow of ideas, and phrasing.

I also find a lot of the graphic figures and photo examples need some clarification or more details.A picture's supposed to be worth a thousand words, not be cryptic and time-consuming to understand.

Sorry, I would not recommend this for students who are not primed first.Especially the younger ones.

Great teacher
While I was studying Interior Design at Parsons a number of years ago, I had Gary Gordon as a Lighting Design Instructor.He was by far one the best teachers that I had.He is very knowledgeable and has the unique ability to easily communicate the many aspects of both design and lighting. I highly recommend any publication he has authored.

Very good book for novices.
The book begins with an inspirational and somewhat simplistic insight into lighting design.Simply as a study of lighting contrasts.While this is a very important aspect of LD,it is by far one of many concepts a professional must use.The book refers to many technical aspects of lighting without giving any "meat" or more in depth information,which I would have enjoyed.If you are new to LD or are an architect or engineer who has little experience with lighting,it is a very good lauching point.If you are technically knowledgable about lighting and want some inspiration,read chapter 1 and the last chapter on Design for concepts ... Read more

Book Description
Use every amazing option your Nikon CLS offers

Light is the essence of photography. The Nikon Creative Lighting System lets you create the same lighting patterns with a portable, detached, wireless system that professionals achieve using cumbersome and expensive studio equipment. This practical guide is like having an expert at your elbow. It's packed with information about the CLS as well as tips, tricks, and recommendations for lighting a dozen different shooting situations. Take it on every shoot and get the most from your CLS.
* Know all about the features and functions of the SB-800 and SB-600
* Get insider tips for creating flawless portrait lighting and staging the best poses
* Set up masters and remotes, flash modes, channels, and groups
* Choose equipment for a wireless studio
* Use the ideal exposure and Speedlight system settings for shooting events, nature, sports, groups, portraits, or products

Visit our Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Good help for a very complex unit
Good help for a very complex unit, It will help you get the most out of ypur flash. Explains how the controls work how the TTL system works. all good stuff to know.

Creative lighting System
I bought this book hoping it could help me with controlling nikon SB speedlights SB800 and SB600 which I own with my new SU800 remote. This book deals mainly with using SB800 as the master to control other flashguns. It would have been better if it included the usefullness of the CLS with the use of SU800 as well because this is what it is all about! It is not as comprehensive as I thought it would!

Not up to speed
I found the book too verbose. The marrow of if could have been condensed in a book half its size. As a practical amateur photographer, I ws looking for detailed advice on using one or several flashes, since I own a Nikon D200 anda Speedlight SB 600. When not extolling the system "the Nikon creative Lightning system is a very complex tool but alll of the complexities are taken care of whitin the camera itself", and similar phrases ocupying a good amount of text, the author talks mostly on generalities. I felt I did not get advise specific enough to actually put it to work in obtaining better flash photography.

Comprehensive, informative, BUY IT!
I love this book. J. Thomas covers all the bases in this guide to your Nikon CLS. With lots of illustrations, FAQs, questions you'd never think to ask, I can't put this down. I purchased also David D. Busch's "Nikon D80 Digital Field Guide" which is excellent, but this Creative Lighting Sytem Guide is your direct link to photographic heaven. Don't buy into the naysayers neagative, neurotic reviews of "not enough bells and missiles". This guide will guide you through the minefield and morass of proper lighting. You'll be glad you got this. I certainly am!


"Good photography speaks through silence"

almost- but not quite- totally useless
Had I been aware that this was a Wiley publication prior to purchase, I wouldn't have bothered- inasmuch as Wiley's offerings are consistently bad.
About the author, and his abilities(?) as a teacher. Well...in my opinion, as a teacher, he'd make an outstanding ditch-digger. 'Nuff said? ... Read more

Book Description
Lighting is a basic, yet difficult-to-master, element of interior design, and Lighting Design Basics provides the information you need in a concise, highly visual format. Two leading designers, both with decades of experience, offer straightforward coverage of concepts and techniques, and present realistic goals you can use as guides to creating simple, typical lighting designs and when collaborating with professional designers on more complex projects.

Design scenarios for more than twenty different spaces illustrate real-world case studies for illuminating residential and commercial spaces, from kitchens to doctors' offices. Each scenario includes an in-depth rationale for the proposed solution, insightful lighting distribution diagrams, floor plans, and details for lighting installation and construction. In addition, exercises allow you to develop lighting design skills in preparation for working on actual projects, as well as the NCIDQ and NCARB exams.

Packed with informative illustrations, Lighting Design Basics is an invaluable resource for students, as well as interior designers and architects studying for professional licensing exams. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good Resource
If you are looking for a beginner lighting course, this books is just what you need. It goes through lighting applications per room/area, explains how to calculate foot candles, but if you want to read more about lighting plans, layouts, electrical requirements.....I would say - keep looking.

This is a good quick resource with little technical detail.

Fantastic Book!!
This book is great for designers!It covers everything you need to know and has some great ways for doing calculations for lighting! ... Read more

Book Description
400 nudes--and the lighting setups that make them look so good

* A best-seller, available for the first time in paperback!
* Side- and plan-view diagrams of the lighting setup for each shot
* Includes a directory of photographers, valuable for art directors and designers

Available for the first time in paperback, the top-selling Lighting the Nude reveals the lighting secrets of the top photographers working today. It showcases more than 400 images of the nude, in a wide variety of styles. Each photograph is accompanied by detailed lighting diagrams and an explanation of what makes the shot work. Both beginners in this branch of photography and seasoned pros will find plenty of inspiring lighting ideas and practical guidance. Lighting the Nude is an essential reference for every studio photographer's bookshelf. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Good book to understand how to illuminate
I like this book because you can learn how to illuminate a body. I think is a good book, but some of the pictures are bored and they have no force, otherwise it will be a really good book with 5 stars.

Its just a book to know how to lighting, not to see really good pictures, it is by your own.

Excellent value for money
Nearly 450 pages packed with great images and how to get them. A must for serious figure study photographers. Highly recommended.

Excellent Rotovision Book
As with all Rotovision books, this one is excellent value. More than 450 pages of helpful diagrams, descriptions, and beautiful photographs. Highly recommended!

..a good book for learning lighting setup..!!
This is actually a cookbook for lighting setup, which you can learn the terms, the equipments, and posing as well. If you not familar to studio light, you also can know it from some pages on this books. I put it on my desk already, which I can flip it when I need..!!

The best book on the subject: clear,concise, sensible
This book may not be the most tech oriented book on lighting, but it demonstrates that photography and lighting should not be interrogated to a technical degree so that the reader is left with the impression that creative photography is a science. The structure and style of the book focuses on what has been done that is outstanding in nude photography, and how such work can help inspire the photographer through imitation, generating one's own creative ideas, or both.By eschewing the obsessive attention to detail some photography books needlessly include, it suggests that creative lighting and photography is a 'bottom-up' process, i.e., you understand the basics and build on them using your own experimentation. This is definitely the way to go if you consider nude photography part art and part technique. If you are seeking a volume on pure technique with logorithms and formulas, this is not the book for you--although if that is your cup of tea, I don't think nude photography would be on the top of your 'to-do' list regarding your photographic subject matter, ... Read more

Book Description

Blake Taylor's memoir, written when he was 17, offers, for the first time, a young person's account of what it's like to live and grow up with this common condition. Join Blake as he foils bullies, confronts unfair teachers, struggles with distraction and disorganization on exams, and goes sailing out-of-bounds and ends up with a boatload of spiders. It will be an inspiration and companion to the millions of others like him who must find a way to thrive with a different perspective than many of us.

The book features an introduction by psychologist Lara Honos-Webb, author of The Gift of ADHD, and a leading advocate for kids with ADHD.

Blake's mother first suspected he had ADHD when he, at only three years of age, tried to push his infant sister in her carrier off the kitchen table. As time went by, Blake developed a reputation for being hyperactive and impulsive. He launched rockets (accidentally) into neighbor's swimming pools and set off alarms in museums. Blake was diagnosed formally with ADHD when he was five years old. In this book, he tells about the next twelve years as he learns to live with both the good and bad sides of life with ADHD.

Customer Reviews (4)

Unquestioned Acceptance of Current ADHD Treatment Paradigm

I seriously question the wisdom of accepting the advice of a young man who has been medicated with potent psychotropic drugs from the age of 5 on.In fact, I consider it close to a miracle that Blake E. S. Taylor is doing as well as he is after his treatment history and attribute it to the support group and wealth he has had behind him from a young age.Many other children have not been so lucky and some have even lost their lives on Ritalin, Adderall and Strattera.Unfortunately his family and professional caregivers are as brainwashed as he is about the safety and efficacy of the treatments he has been given.At some point I hope Blake wakes up to the way in which his rights have been violated.How can a five year old give informed consent about a treatment that is being recommended for him?I have no doubt that Blake was developmentally different from a young age nor do I doubt that ADHD/ADD can be a useful rubric for discussing a set of behavioral symptoms.What I object to strenuously is recommending treatment with harmful stimulants and other psych drugs with no nod whatsoever to the ill understood mechanisms by which they work nor the long term harmful effects especially to growing children.I have no doubt that Blake's tics are the result of using Dexedrine and Adderall from the age of 5 onwards.What other effects are going to manifest themselves down the road as he continues this path of medication use?We will never know how Blake would have turned out had he never been medicated but it is unlikely he can stay on Strattera for the rest of his life without suffering ill effects of one kind or another.For all the children and parents who are eagerly reading this book for advice on what to do, please be forewarned that this is not the only alternative for dealing with these behavioral differences and it is one fraught with dangers.

A great resource!
I picked up this book and wanted my ADHD son to read it, thinking maybe it could give him some insight. I absolutely love this book! Blake does a great job giving a story, explaining why, and some things to do if someone finds this happening to them. It is an easy to understand and entertaining resource to help understand what someone with ADHD goes through.

Among Friends:ADHD and Family Friends
What a wonderful book this is for anyone diagnosed with ADHD or for anyone who lives with, works with or teaches a child with ADHD! As the friend in the book who first suggested that Blake be taken to a specialist and as a children's librarian I HAD to read the book. I was a little skeptical. Would I just feel it was wonderful simply because Blake's mother, Nadine, has been one of my closest friends since our freshman year at Vassar? This proved not to be true. I would be enthusiastic about the book whether I knew the family or not. I am also the mother of a son with ADHD who is now 27. We have experienced together the roller coaster ride of ADHD with it's highs and lows and the cruelty that is sometimes heaped on children with this "invisible disability" at school and from family and friends who do not understand that ADHD is a reason and not an excuse.

If you are a teen with ADHD or the parent or teacher of a child with ADHD do yourself a favor and read this book. Blake's writing style is sweet and vulnerable. Reading between the lines will both break your heart and give you hope. His descriptions of his parents and his grandparents were so wonderful that I could hear their voices in my mind as I read and had to laugh as it was so easy for me to envision his mother's reactions to some of the things he did. However, Blake's ideas at the end of each chapter are excellent advice and not to be missed. Blake has truly turned his disability into a gift. Read this book and you will undoubtedly agree.

Helpful with insight and suggestions
I think it is wonderful that Blake has come forward to tell his tale and we need more people to come out of the ADHD closet and tell theirs.

I applaud Blake's mother, who first suspected he had ADHD when he was only three years of age. She could have very easily thought that her child is okay -- just a bit hyper and wild. Some parents remain in denial or misunderstand the reality that their child could have something "wrong" with them, and such denial and misunderstandings can adversely affect the child's entire life.

Blake's book is good and will help many people with the suggestions provided in it. A simple word of caution: I just hope readers realize that Blake's life experiences are not the reality of all people with ADHD, and that the type of support one has wields an incredible influence on an individual's educational and personal success. There are also different levels of ADHD, which range from mild to severe. Many of us with ADHD have had very different experiences with varying support, depending on what is affordable and/or available.

ADHD and ME has a forward by the renowned author Dr. Lara Honos-Webb and she is considered one of the leading authorities on ADHD and Depression. The suggestions provided in ADHD and ME are helpful to parents and children coping with day to day life with ADHD. Recommended.

I am the author of:

One Boy's Struggle: A Memoir: Surviving Life with Undiagnosed ADD

Bryan ... Read more

Book Description
Packed with professional information and cutting-edge technologies, SCENE DESIGN AND STAGE LIGHTING, Ninth Edition, equips you with the most up-to-date coverage available on scenery, lighting, sound, and technology. Completely current, the exciting new ninth edition mirrors the best of real-world practices. Vibrant color production photographs support the text and spotlight examples of contemporary work. Scenery design and technology coverage includes a strong emphasis on modern technology, while changes in the lighting section reflect the latest practices. Coverage of sound for the theatre reflects the digital age in which we live and work. The text also includes an expanded section on television design, as well as greater emphasis on health and safety issues. The authors emphasize collaboration in all sections of the new text, and they provide insight via interviews with professional lighting and scenery designers in two features: "Working Professionals" and "Designers at Work." Reflecting current professional practice, SCENE DESIGN AND STAGE LIGHTING, Ninth Edition, offers in-depth coverage of a broad range of topics, making it the most detailed and comprehensive text available in the scenic and lighting design and technology fields. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An indispensable reference book for all theatre techies !
Working backstage? Asked by your local community theatre to pitch in doing props? Foolishly said, "Of course I can build a tree(Silly fool only God can)!Here are the helpful hints and clues that will point you in the right direction without looking like a total fool. Design, construction,lights and sound- Oren Parker has it all. This latest edition is my thirdcopy! They just keep getting better and better. This "rumor" bestexplains the abilities of one of the authors. A colleague once related thestory in which Oren Parker showed up in the university scene shop in athree piece suit, painted a full back drop and walked out without a drop ofpaint on the suit. I'd be interested in knowing how true this is but notany less impressed with how informative this book has been for me. Wellworth the exorbitant price.

Invaluable guide for novices and professionals
I can't tell you how often I've found myself saying "I'm a carpenter, not a designer!" when asked to design a set. I've always muddled through, but now, with this book in hand, I've found 100% more confidencein my designs. Invaluable for the lighting designer who wants to betterunderstand scenic design, and for the scenic designer who wants tounderstand lighting design. Buy it! ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Great solution


At the middle of last year I opened a photo studio. So, I can say, I'm still beginner int this topic. So, this book was very helpful for me to gt advance knowledge about art of making great photos.

Useful for beginners
The book does not contain much of light setups but it shows
almost every lighting gadget and explains them. Useful for
begginers who wants to see which tool is used for which purpose.

Big disappointment
This book was a BIG disappointment. The first Chapter: The Basics consists of 86 so called tips about the camera. It is more of a dictionary of photographic terms sometimes with illustrations. The following Chapters: Characteristics of Light, Working with Daylight, Artifical Lighting, Lighting Setups and Postproduction Lighting are not much better, what is presented is very elementary.If you have no ideal what aperture is or what a ring flash looks like this book is for you.But otherwise skip it. ... Read more