Studio Lighting Solutions: Expert Professional Techniques for Artistic and Commercial Success (Pdnpros) [Paperback]

Jack Neubart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2005 | Series: Pdnpros

Studio Lighting Solutions, the first volume of the PDN Pros series, is a comprehensive guide to the world of still-life photography in a controlled studio environment. This genre includes food, beverages, desserts, gems & jewellery, cosmetics, household products, small kitchens, small appliances, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, small sets, home entertainment, electronics, home furnishings, in-studio automotive photography. Highlighting the real-world projects of over 25 successful professional photographers, this book shows photographers what it takes to achieve both artistic and commercial success in still-life photography. Over 60 shots are presented in an easy-to-read/view style, with descriptive text accompanying each featured photograph. For each shot, the photographer provides in-depth information about the assignment and the shoot. This includes the objectives of the client and/or art director, the specific logistic circumstances and challenges, the lighting and other techniques employed to get the shot, the digital manipulation and styling necessary, equipment needs, postproduction, and more, all leading up to the final, successful, real-world photograph.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A professional photographer himself, Jack Neubart has been writing about all aspects of photography for more than twenty-five years. He is the author of Amphoto's Photographer's Exposure Handbook, among other books, and his popular column, "Technically Speaking," appears regularly in Photo District News.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Amphoto Books (August 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817459073
• ISBN-13: 978-0817459079
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.4 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #980,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Beautiful, March 31, 2006

By 

Clark Cooper (Sherman Oaks, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Studio Lighting Solutions: Expert Professional Techniques for Artistic and Commercial Success (Pdnpros) (Paperback)

This book is, without question, one of the best how-to photography books I've ever read.

You get real world walk-throughs from some of the best product and advertising photographers in the business. Each page is a meal in itself. Projects are broken down and explained in short bite size one- or two-page chunks. This is perfect for digesting each project's results and techniques and trying them out on your own. Tips include all the technical details you want, such as lighting instruments used, camera settings, lenses, distances from lights to subject to camera and more.

As a director of photography for film and video projects over the last 15 years, I was inspired by the variety of styles and methods of working presented by the various photographers in this book. I'll take many of the lessons with me onto my next project.

This book will impress you with it's elegant layout, design, instruction and last, but not least, striking images.

Every photography instructional book should be as inspiring and usable as this masterpiece. A must have for every serious photographer and student of light.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars You can learn from the photos, August 16, 2007

By 

FredM (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Studio Lighting Solutions: Expert Professional Techniques for Artistic and Commercial Success (Pdnpros) (Paperback)

Sort of a quandary here...if you're advanced enough in photography to be working with studio lighting, do you really need detailed, step-by-step instructions in lighting setups? It almost seems as if readers are expecting a beginners book that at the same time provides professional techniques.

That said, I will admit that the specifics are a bit lacking here, so if you do need a lot of hand-holding, you're better off with a different book. However, the illustrations are excellent, and you can learn a great deal just from Neubart's photos. If you're open to exposure to interesting lighting techniques, this book will surely add some valuable ideas to your repertoire.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but not an instruction manual, February 23, 2008

By 

Jesse W. Starks (APO, AE USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Studio Lighting Solutions: Expert Professional Techniques for Artistic and Commercial Success (Pdnpros) (Paperback)

I'm an intermediate photographer and I bought this book looking to gain insight into studio lighting. I found that this book will appeal to commercial shooters and those looking to get their foot in the door. The work is amazing and I enjoyed the commentary provided by the professionals that took the shots. I never imagined the amount of thought and planning that goes into what appears to be a straight forward shot. Though it provides a few lighting diagrams, this is not a "how to" manual. Nor is it a people photography book. That said I believe the information useful for working with a wide range of subjects. It also provides insight into the equipment, challenges and (especially) the standards required to be successful.