Books on lighting

[guitar_j]

can anyone suggest a good book that shows lighting diagrams and the

effects they produce along with a bit of information about the

different techniques and terminology needed to understand what

they're talking about? I would like to find something that shows how

to get the most out of a 2 light setup (B-800s).

 

Thanks

 

-Josh

[dave_trayers]

I highly recommend<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1584281251/qid=1107120723/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/002-9979928-9479223?v=glance&s=books&n=507846"> "Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers"</a> by Christopher Grey and for more than portrait photography <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0817441794/qid=1107120801/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/002-9979928-9479223">"Learning to Light"</a> by Hicks and Schultz. They both show diagrams.

[martink]

The best book on lighting that I know of is "Light Science & Magic - An Introduction to Photographic Lighting" by Fil Hunter and Paul Fuqua, Focal Press. After reading it, I know what a light will do before I even turn it on. OK, that's an overstatement. But I do have a better idea of where to start and what to expect from my lights.

[mark feldstein]

Hi Josh: I guess we all have our favorites. Mine is called

"Professional Lighting Technique" The Broncolor Handbook by Jost Marchesi. It was published originally in 1988 and available from Sinar/Bron but might be out of print. You might score a copy used from either BN.com or http://www.powels.com. The photography runs from the routine to the sublime with various lighting techniques and diagrams using studio equipment. It also includes a pretty thorough discussion of exposure techniques. I found it very useful. Take it light. Mark

[guitar_j]

Dave - I've really been considering the "Master Lighting guide..." It looks pretty good, most all the reviews I read on Amazon seem positive...

 

Martin - "Light Science & Magic..." looks like a good choice too... but *sigh* It looks like a tough read ... I wish we had a local bookstore that I could check some of these things out in... but all I have is the internet...

 

Mark - A quick search didn't yield any favorable results... I found 2 copies, 1 for $250 and 1 for $125... I'll have to do some digging for this one

 

Thanks for all your replies...

[crawfordphoto]

Josh,

<BR><BR>

A book that I really enjoyed was "Portrait Photographer's Handbook" (ISBN 1-58428-043-3). It had the normal terminology/introductory stuff in it but also some posing advice and lighting setups.

<BR><BR>

There is a ton of great info online as well. Have you checked out: <A HREF="http://www.studiolighting.net/">StudioLighting.net</A>? You may find it a useful starting point as well.

<BR><BR>

Alien Bee B-800s are great lights - have fun with them! They have a cool section on their web site for general info as well: <A HREF="http://www.alienbees.com/beginnerbee.html">http://www.alienbees.com/beginnerbee.html</A>

<BR><BR>

Regards,

<BR>

-Bill

[steve_hovland]

Light-Science and Magic is tops.

 

Do the work. You'll be glad you did :-)