Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting [Paperback]

Fil Hunter (Author), Steven Biver (Author), Paul Fuqua (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 21, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0240808193 | ISBN-13: 978-0240808192 | Edition: 3rd

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!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The first book on photographic lighting that is worth using as a text. Light - Science and Magic is about principles, not cheap tricks or the authors' portfolio."
-Pete Christman, Savannah College of Art and Design.

"This revision is really an extraordinary accomplishment in offering a thorough understanding and application of lighting. The author’s new approach, with updated illustrations and lessons makes for both a good read and great textbook. I would recommend this book for any lighting class, from basic to the most advanced course."

-Dennis Keeley
Chair of Photography and Imaging
Art Center College of Design

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

Steven Biver, Virginia, USA, Commercial photographer, former clients include Adobe, Mobil, Newsweek, Black and Decker
Paul Fuqua, Virginia, USA, started his own audiovisual production company in 1970. Dedicated to teaching through visuals, he has written and produced educational and training material in a variety of fields, including law, science, and nature. His photography takes him all over the world, but he makes his home in Arlington, VA.
Fil Hunter is a highly respected commercial photographer specializing in still life and special effects photographs for advertising and editorial illustration. During a career spanning over three decades, he has worked for such clients as America Online, US News, Time-Life Books, Life Magazine (27 covers), the National Science Foundation, and National Geographic. He has taught photography at the university level and has served as technical consultant on a number of photographic publications. Mr. Hunter has won the Virginia Professional Photographer's Grand Photographic Award three times. He lives in Alexandria, VA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 3rd edition (March 21, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240808193
• ISBN-13: 978-0240808192
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.7 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (187 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,550 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 123 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding and Essential! February 16, 2003

By mirasreviews HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Fil Hunter and Paul Fuqua have written a truly essential reference for product photographers and an outstanding educational text for all photographers. Light, Science and Magic teaches its readers the principals of lighting. It describes in detail how to light surfaces, metal, glass, liquids, extremes (black-on-black and white-on-white), and people for different effects. These subjects were chosen because they are reputed to be the most difficult subjects to light. But because the book emphasizes the principals of lighting, those lessons can be applied to all lighting situations. The examples in Light,Science and Magic are in-studio, but the principals apply out-of-doors and anywhere that there is light. You don't need to have a background in studio photography or a knowledge of lighting equipment to understand and benefit from this book. You need to have only a good understanding of exposure and camera operation. Information on basic lighting equipment is found in the appendices for those who are unfamiliar with studio equipment. Because the principals of lighting apply equally to film photography and digital image capture, most of this book's content will not go out of date. No photographer should be without the knowledge in this book. If you can absorb all of the book's content, there is nothing that you will encounter in all your photographic adventures that you won't know how to light to get the effect you want. It is well worth its price!

68 of 68 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Saved me money the first day July 11, 2001

By Gary Wise

Amazon Verified Purchase

I love the approach in this easy to read book. The authors' philosophy is to be as creative in as many ways as possible, even down to improvising equipment and overcoming lack thereof. If, say, candles will suffice, then why use strobes? I feared a huge shopping list for my foray into the world of studio lighting. This very helpful alternative to months of expensive experimentation has shown me a more structured approach, the focus being on Return on Investment while maximising results.

91 of 95 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Photography is all about light November 30, 1999

By Lisa A. Leone

Whether you're a beginner with a point-and-shoot or a professional with a huge investment in equipment, you need to know how light works. This book can teach you everything you need to know. It has both theory and practical guidance. The authors don't tell you which lights to use in a given situation -- they teach you how to determine what lighting to use to achieve the effect _you_ want. And they help you select lighting equipment.

To be fair, it's not always an easy read (there's a lot of theory and some math/physics to wade through), but it's worth the effort. I saw the difference in the next roll I shot. I only wish I had found this book a few years ago...