Light Fantastic: The Art and Design of Stage Lighting (Photography S.) [Hardcover]

Max Keller (Author)

Book Description

Series: Photography S. | Publication Date: February 2000

Focusing on all technical aspects of stage lighting the author divulges his extensive knowledge and experience, explaining natural light phenomena, the history of light in the theatre and Goethe's and Runge's research on the theory of colour as well as technical details, from the fundamentals of optics and projection to the different kinds of lamps, lights, spots and other lighting equipment.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

MAX KELLER is an internationally acclaimed designer and consultant for productions on some of the worldÂ’s most celebrated stages, including the Metropolitan Opera House, the Royal Opera House, the Salzburg Festival and The Munich Kammerspiele. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791321625
• ISBN-13: 978-3791321622
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,789,499 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most complete lighting text in existence!, February 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Light Fantastic: The Art and Design of Stage Lighting (Photography S.) (Hardcover)

This book is beautiful just to look at and includes a wealth of information. All aspects of lighting technology and elements of design are covered in thorough detail. Keller also includes a section on color theory that goes much farther than any lighting design text I've seen. Although a little advanced for the beginning designer, I recommended my students purchase the book now and use it throughout the next few levels of Lighting Design courses. I sincerely believe that if I had owned such a book while studying lighting design, I would have had need for little else. If my copy were not constantly in use I would use it as a coffee table book! WELL worth the price!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Beautiful Book...., March 10, 2005

By 

Chris Parry "ChrisP LD" (San Diego, California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Light Fantastic: The Art and Design of Stage Lighting (Photography S.) (Hardcover)

Readers here should note that this is a book concerned with the "European Aesthetic" and techniques of Theatre Lighting.. not to say that it doesn't apply in the US - it does! - but it's not how "Theatre Lighting" is usually taught in the USA! But as I'm from Europe - I say, if you're REALLY interested in the full range of possibilities of theatre lighting, this book will OPEN your eyes to more options!! MUST read. Worth every penny. ChrisP.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lighting for Theatre, June 3, 2003

By 

Willmuzik (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Light Fantastic: The Art and Design of Stage Lighting (Photography S.) (Hardcover)

I found Keller's book very interesting, however, it should be noted that this is a book for lighting techniques within the theatre realm specifically. There is comprehensive information about light bulbs, frames, and every possible piece of equipment associated wth them, and Kellr explains them in easy-to-understand methods that leave you with a real understanding of the products.