Customer Reviews

Light: Science & Magic : An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Light Science & Magic is an excellent introduction to photograpic lighting. The book covers the use of light, shadow, and exposure to aid the photographer in developing images that convey his or her vision of the subject. It also provides a good discription of lighting equipment.

Studio lighting 101 might best describe a book which explains principles and properties of light as well as its actual applications in studio situations. Do you wonder how to get rid of reflections or shadows in photos? Once you understand the science of why those shadows exist, you have the mental tools needed to become the creator of your photo images instead of a flash slave.

I've been photographing informally, or at least without training, for about 30 years now. In that time I've done a lot of portrait work, and learned a thing or two about lighting. A friend gave me this book, and it's been EXTREMELY useful in pulling together all the things I knew and showing me how they relate to each other, and filling in the gaps.

I hadn't really thought about *textbooks* for photography before -- as I said, I haven't had any formal training in the field. The books I see in bookstores are too elementary and too unfocused for me; and I don't see tham as good for a beginner starting out, either. But finding some real textbooks that go into depth about particular parts of the field is an eye-opener for me.

My photos are better for it -- especially studio portraits and the still-lifes I did for a wine book last year (Terry Garey, _The Joy of Home Winemaking_, AVON). See other photos at http://www.ddb.com/photo.