Focusing exclusively on light modifiers and making the most of the least equipment, this in-depth handbook is ideal for use by the beginner and advanced amateurs who wish to take their photography to the next level. Including diagrams and lighting set scenes to facilitate learning and adapting technique, step-by-step critiques of several portrait sessions, and an extensive review of a variety of light modifying tools—from barn doors and snoots to gels, umbrellas, and strip boxes—this invaluable textbook style book reveals the precise steps for obtaining dimension and depth for indoor and outdoor portrait sessions. This resource is a must-have for beginner photographers looking to discover a treasure trove of fresh, creative lighting inspiration, that will surely help add diversity and creative style to your photography

Focusing exclusively on light modifiers and making the most of the least equipment, this in-depth handbook is ideal for use by the beginner and advanced amateurs who wish to take their photography to the next level. Including diagrams and lighting set scenes to facilitate learning and adapting technique, step-by-step critiques of several portrait sessions, and an extensive review of a variety of light modifying toolsÑfrom barn doors and snoots to gels, umbrellas, and strip boxesÑthis invaluable textbook style book reveals the precise steps for obtaining dimension and depth for indoor and outdoor portrait sessions. This resource is a must-have for beginner photographers looking to discover a treasure trove of fresh, creative lighting inspiration, that will surely help add diversity and creative style to your photography

Learn all about the color, direction, and quality of natural light and how to adjust lighting to flatter the subject. Find out about the best lighting strategies for portraits, close-ups, interiors, performances, and outdoor occasions.

From flashlights and top-of-the-line studio electronic flashes to light stands and battery/inverter packs, this all-encompassing survey evaluates the vast array of lighting and equipment options available to professional photographers. Beginning with a basic history of the role of lighting equipment and the interplay between advances in capture and lighting technologies, the emphasis then shifts to advances made within the past five years that have enabled photographers to consider more low-powered and cost effective options than ever before. In addition to identifying the wide range of gear currently on the market—as well as those photographers may devise on their own—this reference examines the pros and cons of the various technologies and provides suggestions for their most practical use. Photographs of the equipment surveyed as well as real-life images created with the different pieces of equipment are interspersed throughout the text. Other helpful hints include tips for maximizing versatility, investment in each piece of equipment, and a “Top-Ten Must-Have List.”

Whether shooting portraits or products, skillful lighting can be the difference between a bland snapshot and a stunning, well-defined image. Capturing the ideal photograph requires many technical factors to work in tandem, the most fundamental of which is lighting. While we may take it for granted that light is required to create a photograph, light by itself usually does not produce the style, energy, emotion or feeling that makes a photograph exceptional. It is the way the light has been modified and shaped that gives the photographer the ability to create an image that communicates their feeling about the subject. It’s necessary to understand how light works in order to know how to modify it in the most desirous way. Beginning with simplified light concepts, Rand delves into the basics of light. Light’s natural tendency is to go off in all directions. To give a better understanding of how to control the light that you use in your photographs, Rand guides the reader through a series of discussions defining the light itself, the surfaces that will interact with the light in the photographs, the look of light that we wish to create and the tools, modifiers and shapers that are commonly available for use. Whether you want to add contrast with highlights and shadows or use the softness of diffuse light to add volume to the subject, the fundamentals of these concepts are covered here. Images, diagrams and descriptions are used to illustrate the manners in which light can be modified. From there, the book moves onto the main tools of light modification. Rand discusses the primary functions of each tool and defines the issues of the light’s characteristics after the modification. Techniques are presented for using reflectors, spotlights, softboxes, diffusers, umbrellas, barndoors, gels, scrims, shoots and more. Each chapter is highly illustrated with images of the tools being discussed, diagrams, and examples for the use of these tools in both commercial and portrait photography. Variations in control and problems that may occur with specific modifiers are discussed as well. The goal of this book is to show the effect of modifiers and shapers on the quality of light rather than to discuss the merits of a particular light source. By focusing on the methods to shape light, the photographer is open to improvise in scenarios where they may not have control over the light source. Whether you shoot commercial or portrait photography, this book provides you with the basis for not only successfully, but elegantly shaping light to create your desired result.

John Siskin lays out a simple process for designing effective strobe-lighting setups for portraits, architecture, still-life images and more. According to Siskin, the most important skill is pre-visualisation. After exploring the quality, quantity, value, versatility and ease of use of many modifiers and sources, including less-traditional laptop screens, flashlights and slide projectors, Siskin moves on to using the correct exposure and camera settings.

A comprehensive guide to lighting techniques in digital photography covering topics including working with artificial light and daylight.