Time-tested lighting strategies that will improve the quality of a portrait are detailed in this book for beginning photographers. Terminology used by industry pros is explained, the equipment needed to create professional results is outlined, and the unique role that each element of the lighting setup plays in the studio is explored. Photographers learn how color, direction, form, and contrast affect the final portrait. The concise text, photo examples, and lighting diagrams enable photographers to easily achieve traditional lighting styles that have been the basis of good portraiture since the advent of the art.
Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Christopher Grey is the author of Creative Techniques for Nude Photography and Photographer's Guide to Polaroid Transfer. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
129 of 132 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm a third year commercial advertisment photography student and I have to say that I wish I had found this book in my first year. Christopher Grey really knows his stuff. He has diagrams along with his photographs to explain each type of lighting situation. I actually learned quite a bit about different lighting accessories used for various lighting like hairlights, and different ways to show separation from the background. This is definitely a great book to have around to review a few pointers before a shoot. I'm half way through the book and I just got it yesterday night. It's very easy reading. The format just flows. The techniques and suggestions are great building bases. If you've already taken portraiture classes, some of this will be review (Part I-The Principles of Portrait Lighting), but I still think this is a great book to have. Part II is Portrait Lighting in Practice. It gives one or two examples in each category. Editorial, corporate, ...etc. If you have any hesitation on your technique and possible outcomes, this is a great book. It'll reaffirm your confidence in the way you do things; moreover, you may be reminded of something that you might have forgotten.
154 of 161 people found the following review helpful
By Paul Hartley
Format:Paperback
Christopher Grey is a master of photographic lighting, and this expertise shines through in his latest book, appropriately titled, Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers. Grey eases his readers into the topic with a discussion on the properties and quality of light and a review of modern lighting equipment, both store-bought and homemade. Then, after an informative chapter on lighting ratios (a frequently misused and misunderstood term) he embarks on an instructive and comprehensive journey that covers everything from classic lighting styles to the advanced lighting methods used by today's top studio photographers. Beautiful color photos and helpful diagrams complement each scenario.
Grey's writing is conversational and witty, which is a blessing when one is digesting material that, in duller texts, can quickly veer off into technical mumbo jumbo. In addition to his lighting information, he sprinkles every chapter with plenty of useful advice - things he's learned during his 30-year career - for saving money, choosing backdrops, building trust with subjects, capturing better expressions and much, much more. I'd recommend the book to anyone interested in portrait photography. The photographs alone are well worth the purchase price, but the lessons enabling readers to create similarly stunning photos make the book an extremely good value.
46 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By I. Seligman
Format:Paperback
This is a powerful, concise, and well written book.
With his diagrams, accompanying photos, and explanations, Mr. Grey has opened my eyes to light and lighting options in ways I hadn't realized...and now makes me look far more carefully at portraits than ever before, to appreciate how the lighting and well placed shadows emphasize the client's best qualities.
I confess I hesitated before buying a "mere" 128 page book, and quickly realized he cuts out the usual fluff and shares "secrets" freely. One must savor each page's wisdom, rather than rushing through it, to greatly enhance your skills.
Learn about key light characteristics, softboxes, hair lights, different umbrella effects, lighting ratios and so on...you needn't use some or all on every session, it's there to just let you know how to use these when and if a situation arises...and you'll have the knowlege of how to use them without recreating or reshooting the wheel!
Whether you are a film or a digital photographer, this gives knowledge that benefits either medium, by encouraging you to creatively previsualize the lighting of finished product, long before you click the shutter.
While it's far easier for me to properly light a subject before shooting (I am comfortable with film and slowly learning digital/Photoshop) it gives hints that can be used creatively in "Photoshopping" an image later, in the computer, to enhance a mood, or de-emphasize a highight accordingly. (Katrin Eismann's Photoshop Restoration & Retouching, 3rd ed. is quite helpful, as is Scott Kelby's comfortably cookbook aproach in his Photoshop CS book for Digital Photographers).
This is a pearl that deserves to be read appreciatively, savoring each page at a time!
With his diagrams, accompanying photos, and explanations, Mr. Grey has opened my eyes to light and lighting options in ways I hadn't realized...and now makes me look far more carefully at portraits than ever before, to appreciate how the lighting and well placed shadows emphasize the client's best qualities.
I confess I hesitated before buying a "mere" 128 page book, and quickly realized he cuts out the usual fluff and shares "secrets" freely. One must savor each page's wisdom, rather than rushing through it, to greatly enhance your skills.
Learn about key light characteristics, softboxes, hair lights, different umbrella effects, lighting ratios and so on...you needn't use some or all on every session, it's there to just let you know how to use these when and if a situation arises...and you'll have the knowlege of how to use them without recreating or reshooting the wheel!
Whether you are a film or a digital photographer, this gives knowledge that benefits either medium, by encouraging you to creatively previsualize the lighting of finished product, long before you click the shutter.
While it's far easier for me to properly light a subject before shooting (I am comfortable with film and slowly learning digital/Photoshop) it gives hints that can be used creatively in "Photoshopping" an image later, in the computer, to enhance a mood, or de-emphasize a highight accordingly. (Katrin Eismann's Photoshop Restoration & Retouching, 3rd ed. is quite helpful, as is Scott Kelby's comfortably cookbook aproach in his Photoshop CS book for Digital Photographers).
This is a pearl that deserves to be read appreciatively, savoring each page at a time!
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To set the stage for my comments, I'll offer that I am a mature man and a long-time engineer who has started taking classes in portrait photography.
First of all, for some photography books, a technical background like mine is a must. Not so for this book- it is full of information that is very clearly presented without techno-babble.
This book is an engaging read which is both instructive during the first read, and a great reference every time you pick it up.
I found it very valuable that there were pictures that showed the result of lighting a subject in many different ways with a particular light modifier. It was almost as if I had a studio with all that equipment and could experiment on my own. By the time I got to my studio-based class, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do and how to do it.
A great buy because you will need many books to replace the insight that this single book provides!
First of all, for some photography books, a technical background like mine is a must. Not so for this book- it is full of information that is very clearly presented without techno-babble.
This book is an engaging read which is both instructive during the first read, and a great reference every time you pick it up.
I found it very valuable that there were pictures that showed the result of lighting a subject in many different ways with a particular light modifier. It was almost as if I had a studio with all that equipment and could experiment on my own. By the time I got to my studio-based class, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do and how to do it.
A great buy because you will need many books to replace the insight that this single book provides!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Diverse Lighting
I really like this book, I gave it 4 stars because Mr. Grey goes into every style of lighting. From portraits, headshots, bridal, executive, you name it, its here. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Andre P. Jones
4.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful
This is a good resource for portrait photographers. It is an easy read with plenty of photos to illustrate the text, study and learn from.
Published 19 days ago by g spicer
3.0 out of 5 stars
Could be better
This book has many excellent lighting setups as well as diagrams but almost no correlating camera settings which would help. Read more
Published 2 months ago by budhead
5.0 out of 5 stars
long deliever time but did arrive
have not read it yet but came in good condition and look forward to reading. was recommended by teacher so I believe it will be informative.
Published 2 months ago by jimmy delauder
4.0 out of 5 stars
Clear with good information, but eBook version has drawback
Well informative and clear, I got very much out of this book and I feel I learned a lot.
What was a bit disturbing is that the layout of example photos is very bad in... Read more
What was a bit disturbing is that the layout of example photos is very bad in... Read more
Published 2 months ago by PN
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book to get started
This is a great book to get you started on studio photography. Read it, then read it again, then read it again. Then practice like crazy.
Published 3 months ago by Siara Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
this is one of the best organized detailed book i have ever goten as well as the other two thanks
Published 4 months ago by Joel M Arce
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lighting Made Clear
Christopher Grey has provided sample photos and the lighting diagram for each type. Easy to follow and duplicate, this book is an essential for the photographer to own. Read more
Published 12 months ago by rcrampton
3.0 out of 5 stars
Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers
IMO this book could be useful to those who already have a basic knowledge of lighting but is not written for those who do not. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mark F
2.0 out of 5 stars
Dry and overly prescriptive
I picked up this book looking for some introductory material to learn about portrait lighting. While I definitely did learn some new things after having read this book, overall I... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Alan Shi
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 10
books:
See all 10 books this book cites
11
books
cite this book:
See all 11 books citing this book
- Portrait Photography: How and Why by Mary Allen in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Creative Lighting Techniques for Studio Photographers by Dave Montizambert in Back Matter
- Studio Portrait Photography of Children and Babies by Marilyn Sholin in Back Matter
- Professional Digital Portrait Photography by Jeff Smith in Back Matter
- Professional Secrets of Natural Light Portrait Photography by Douglas Allen Box in Back Matter
See all 10 books this book cites
- Studio Lighting: A Primer for Photographers by Lou Jacobs Jr. in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Professional Portrait Lighting: Techniques and Images from Master Photographers (Pro Photo Workshop) by Michelle Perkins on page 88, and Back Matter
- The Master Guide to Digital SLR Cameras by Ron Eggers in Back Matter
- How to Start and Operate a Digital Portrait Photography Studio by Lou Jacobs Jr. in Back Matter
- Plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop: A Guide for Photographers by Jack Drafahl in Back Matter
See all 11 books citing this book
Books on Related Topics
(learn more)
|
|
