Light X Design: 20 Years of Lighting by Bentley Meeker [Hardcover]

Bentley Meeker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 16, 2011 | ISBN-10: 0982379900 | ISBN-13: 978-0982379905

This collection features case studies of work by the inimitable lighting design guru Bentley Meeker, detailing 20 years of glamorous and sublime illuminations. The basic premise of how to light any space is illuminated here by a top expert. Notable examples include P Diddy's 40th birthday party, and the wedding of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones. This impressive portfolio is sure to please the art, interior design, and professional and novice party planners alike.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bentley Meeker knows how to create a mood." --Quest Magazine

"The guests are almost guaranteed to look lovely because Bentley Meeker, the lighting expert, will be seeing to that." --WWD

"The book details 20 years of glamorous and sublime illuminations." --Hill's List, April 2011

"Meeker's lighting highlights and transforms some of New York City's most glorious interior spaces, from Gotham Hall to The Museum of Natural History (imagine the whale in shades of blue and green speckles). While Meeker and architecture are a great pair, you'd be amazed at what he can do with a tent as well." --Design Public, April 2011

"...page after over-sized page of lavish photos, a kaleidoscope of eye candy... And yet despite the technical complexity that must go into these projects, according to Meeker the heart of every design--no matter what the occasion, the budget, the client--is to achieve one goal: Make the space and the people in it look and feel incredible." --Style Maniac, April 2011

From the Publisher

This collection features case studies of work by the inimitable lighting design guru Bentley Meeker, detailing 20 years of glamorous and sublime illuminations. The basic premise of how to light any space is illuminated here by a top expert. Notable examples include P Diddy's 40th birthday party, and the wedding of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones. This impressive portfolio is sure to please the art, interior design, and professional and novice party planners alike.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Glitterati Incorporated (February 16, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982379900
• ISBN-13: 978-0982379905
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 0.7 x 14 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #363,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Home Improvement & Design > Home Decorating & Design > Interior Design > Lighting
  • #28 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Home Improvement & Design > Home Decorating & Design > Interior Design > Professional Reference

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars The Lights are out! LIGHT X DESIGN: A Critical Review. July 11, 2011

By Andre Lawrence TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Length: 0:30 Mins

There's no reason in the world that anyone should not think that this should be a runaway 5-star book.

On paper, figuratively speaking, you have an expert lighting designer who has, for more than two (2) decades, lit some of the most eloquent and celebrated affairs in both the political and entertainment circles as well as the private affairs of the more affluent of our society.

On paper, literally speaking, you have a large coffee-table book that runs 150+ pages. So, the author/ subject is afforded much time and real estate to demonstrate his remarkable career.

But, what happened?

The Bad.
LIGHT X, the book, as distinguished from the actual work of the subject, suffers from poor editing. Period.

The book, if one looks carefully and imagines from the poorly lit photographs that Mr. Bentley Meeker has demonstrated brilliance on a grand scale. But many, my guess would be roughly half of the photographs are dark and washed out. In certain pictures the color (of the room? Camera filter? Film development?) is so opaque as to blur the furniture with the wall fixtures.

The layout of the photographs could have also been arranged in a way that followed some form of thematic concept instead of, what looks to be, an indiscriminant placement.

I recognize that many of the pictures were from a time long before digital cameras and megapixels, but I would have suggested to take the pictures and "remastered" them through Photoshop or Aperture.

It matters for two reasons. One, the artist is deprived of showing his best work under the best conditions. And, two, the book is going for a premium price of $75.... (Even, if it were for less, the artist (and, the customer) is entitled to the best representation for the money.

***** ********
The Good.

Some of the pictures (they're in the minority) shows what this man is capable of. Simply striking. Strikingly beautiful lighting. Even, small table settings looks majestic. That's all the more reason why something should have been done about the other photographs.

The pictures also lends itself to inspire other kinds of decorations. If you're looking for decoration ideas and want something that'll challenge you to design outside the box, this book has some very interesting points of view to share.

3 stars. Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Light, Pictures and Marvelous Beauty Design August 16, 2011

By Mike Robinson

Pratchet observed that "light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it." However, in "Light X Design" one is met with and almost overcome by the brilliance of light on its pages; the pictures posited in this book are devoted to the works of the famed lighting man Bentley Meeker. It is a fascinating a wide living-room tabletop book with captivating photographs within its pages.

This volume has sensory charm as it will keep your waiting guests memorably diverted while you rush to get ready or put the kids to bed.

Commanding, illuminating, and absorbing; 160 pages and its worth more than large sums of money.
This potent and attractive book is worth a lot more than its price; it touches the mind and the inner being.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tricks of the Trade April 24, 2011

By Josh Light Guru

I've been into lighting design for years. It was my major back in college and now it's my career with freelance events. I'm always looking for new lighting books with tips I can actually use. It's surprising that there really aren't a lot of good ones out there. But Light x Design is great. The pictures serve to show just how much lighting affects a space. There are tips that novices like my assistants can learn from alongside more intricate ideas I can pick apart and run with. Lighting design is a great skill to know. There's real money in the field, especially for freelancers willing to work on an event-by-event basis. Meeker's book helps give you the skills you need to get through that first job. If you're interested in delving deeper, there's enough in here to base a career on. Plus my wife thinks it's pretty enough to keep out on the coffee table, giving me a great excuse to talk shop with everyone who comes by & wants to page through it. Win win situation, if you ask me. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A feast for the eyes October 7, 2011

By Christine M. Irvin

I don't know much about lighting when it comes to using light to illuminate stages and rooms to create a certain mood. I wish I did know more about the subject as I'm sure the extra knowledge would have helped me enjoy reading this book even more than I did. However, even with my lack of knowledge, I am able to recognize genius at work.

The genius, in this case, is Bentley Meeker, master of lighting and mood. Meeker owns Bentley Meeker Lighting & Staging, Inc. He is one of North America's leading experts in the field of lighting. He first learned about lighting as it pertained to photography. Then he progressed onto film and video lighting, and then onto in-house lighting for events. He began his own company in 1990, making it the leading event lighting firm in the U.S. today.

And it's no wonder his firm is considered the best. What this man can do with lights is simply incredible: He can transfer an ordinary space (whether indoors or out) into something extraordinary and make an already special place into something truly awe-inspiring. In the past 20 years, he has provided spectacular lighting effects for weddings, fashion shows, corporate parties, etc.

His work is showcased in this beautiful, oversized coffee table book. It's filled with full-color photos of his many lighting designs and venues. It's truly a feast for the eyes and a pleasure to look through whether you understand all the subtleties of the process or not.