Customer Reviews

Lighting Techniques for Fashion and Glamour Photography

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

 

 

Dantzig delivers a 'must have' book for any of us, in the tradition of Art Ketchum's 'Portfolio'. It's a new book, with a 2005 copyright, so you know it won't be talking about film and hot studio lights.

Get this book.

Ok, that said, let's take a look at this book.

What I like about this book:

1. The very first chapter, "Light And Its Characteristics' is worth the price of the book. I know that we're all creative types and forgot most of our math about 15 minutes after graduating from college. Still the mathematical basis of light discussed by Dantzig is worth reading. And you know that any photographic author who discusses the Pythagorean theorem when discussing placement of studio lights isn't just rehashing old ground from other books!

2. REALLY useful examples. Unlike the Milburn book, Dantzig's examples are obvious. For example, on pages 18 - 19 (no filler here, we get right down to useful stuff!) he shows the very same model, photographed the very same way, with: a) 7" parabolic spot reflector, b) small silver umbrella, c) a small strip dome, d) medium strip dome, e) large litedome and f) extra-large litedome. The differences between these are obvious and valuable.

3. It's readable... Dantzig's a published author in many photographic magazines, and it shows.

4. He stays on topic. The topic is Light. No discussion of why you should use Photoshop's browser here, thank you. Consider the chapter headings:

Light and its Characteristics
Studio Basics
Intermediate Studio Techniques
Fashion Lighting
Outdoor Lighting
The Body Shot
Working With Models

5. Good diagrams on lighting setups (but see below, under what I don't like).

What I don't like about this book. Now, don't get me wrong, this is a must have book and my complaints here are definitely in the nit picking category:

1) Lighting placement setups and descriptions are not available for every photo. Sometimes I'm looking at a photo wondering how it's done (how many lights, what kinds of modifiers, etc.) and all I'm given is a too brief written explanation. Doesn't happen much, but more than once.

2) Dantzig's annoying use of his psychology credentials. Hey guy, I know you worked hard for them, but they have no meaning in the photographic world. Lose the PsyD at the end of your name and in your bio. After all, I'm a past member of the Chicago Board of Trade and I don't mention that on my OMP page.

NONE of the small complaints that I mention should deter you from buying this fine book. It is definitely the best I've found so far in 2005.

the book has good illustration to each different types of lighting equipments. but the pictures are a little out of current glamour trend, and the colors are not that good. it does not talk about how to work with your object - the FASHION and the model. it's more like a headshot tutorial. it's good for beginners to grasp essential knowledge of lighting equipments, but on top of that, you need a lot of studio work to testify your judgement of the effects of all these devices.

it's a good tutorial, but not yet leading you towards creating master pieces.

I found this book to be ok but the diagrams for lighting set up are very poor- orinetation is not even correct and there is little to explain the finer details of the light positioning etc. Only some of the photos give a diagram/explanation of how lighting was achieved and even then its poor and difficult to replicate. Master lighting guide by christopher grey is a much better book in my opinion.

After reading Master Lighting Guide, I wanted to move to the next level. After looking at a few books, I got this one. It was just what I was looking for. The lighting calculations are a bit complicated, but it does help to explain how he set up the shots.

The style of the photos are dated and not particularly inspiring. While the content and actual information is solid, I expect the photography books I purchase to have at least a passing ability to impress with photos of clarity and beauty.

its a good one but it says the same like in others books, it talks about the nature of light, then of every type of photography you can make and the main characteristics of the light to get those.
I would have like it to talk more about the light ratio in each picture captured.