Product Description
Commercial Lighting presents a host of creative lighting designs for commercial spaces.Each section illustrates interesting and effective lighting designs for restaurants, offices, retail stores, and more.The designs showcased in these pages were created by the top lighting designers in the world-making this a terrific tool for interior designers and architects, as well as for business owners and design students.Includes detailed, full-color presentations of the best lighting designs for commercial spaces from internationally recognized designers.

--Brief captions describe each project, design, and the materials used.

--The categories covered include retail stores, restaurants, corporate offices, malls, medical offices and buildings, and small-business spaces.

--In invaluable reference for interior designers, architects, and business owners. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Commercial Lighting: A Really D*** Cool Book
This book is full of big jaw-dropping color photos of uniquely designed and lit homes, businesses, restaurants, museums, and other spaces.It's amazing to see what people dream up in shaping the ideal environment.If you're seeking a rich source of fresh design ideas for a planned space, or if you just like to dream, or even if you just know an architect or interior designer who needs a gift, this is the book for you.

If you hate color pictures, new ideas, or lavishly exotic personal design and lighting, this book is not for you.

magic of lightings
lightings are magic for commercial businesses.

magic of lightings
lightings are magic for commercial businesses. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

You want to learn the tricks of the pro's?
Look behind the scenes. From the film used to the thoughts of the photographer. Excellent resource for photographers no mather if you're a pro, you always learn new things.

A great book to learn from
Fashion Shots is a book that includes many different lighting situations in a clear layout.I like the book for this, because its imformative and fun to read at the same time.If your interested in fashion photography, this is definetely a book to consider.

A fashion photographers mind jump starter...
From the equipment used to take the shots in this book to the actual location of the models and light sources in each photo, this book is a perfect place to tap into. It will help you get some good fashion shotsand/or spawn some really creative ideas on the readers end. A good buy forthe fashion photographer or the aspiring one! Happy reading :)

A fashion photographers mind jump starter...
From the equipment used to take the shots in this book to the actual location of the models and light sources in each photo, this book is a perfect place to tap into. It will help you get some good fashion shotsand/or spawn some really creative ideas on the readers end. A good buy forthe fashion photographer or the aspiring one! Happy reading :)

A fashion photographers mind jump starter...
From the equipment used to take the shots in this book to the actual location of the models and light sources in each photo, this book is a perfect place to tap into. It will help you get some good fashion shotsand/or spawn some really creative ideas on the readers end. A good buy forthe fashion photographer or the aspiring one! Happy reading :) ... Read more

Product Description
Companion CD included with 30-day demo of LightWave v9!The process of creating accurate and pleasing lighting in CG environments demands both an understanding of the fundamentals of light and knowledge of the available tools. LightWave v9 Lighting addresses these issues in a practical guide that shows you how to achieve your lighting goals using the latest version of LightWave 3D.With this book: Discover the tools and features of LightWave v9 that can improve your lighting. Understand lighting concepts including color, shadow, intent, and style. Explore a number of tutorials that demonstrate specific lighting setups. Learn how to enhance your lighting with volumetrics, lens flares, projection images, and radiosity. Find out how the proper lighting can turn a good shot into a great shot. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

lightwave v9 lighting?
over 500 pages of bla bla bla theories.... i miss a lot of good tricks and hints & how to do in various situations....there are some good information's, but not too much, to help someone who wants to improve his work with good lightning. "go outside and study the light", man, i purchased this book to be helped study light from a pro and to use it correctly in all circumstances. sorry i don't want to play the bad guy, maybe there is someone who will love this book.

It's not bad...
I mean... It has his good things. But after reading Lightwave Texturing v.9 and Essentials Lightwave v.9... This book is really disapointing... Why? Well it has not so many things like all the others, and it's touching the same all time. The introduciont of the book is really cool, but the rest with the "Essentials Lightwave" You don't need this book. (It has some good tricks to simulate the Global Ilumination or Monte Carlo Radiosity, the most expensive of render from all).

So... If you want to be an expert of ilumination... well... it's your choice.

Worth having a copy
I can understand other reviews about this being the same as past issues. However, I think any CG artist should have at least one issue of this series. The information in here is invaluable, teaching the foundations of lighting techniques.
Worth every penny.

I happen to think this is an excellent book, despite material from the LW8 book
It's true, if you own one of the older books, you don't necessarily need this book to learn the lighting theory but let's be fair.I'm sorry, but as the author I must object to the remark that this is just an old book with a new cover. I spent considerable time on the update.The book is updated for LightWave 9 throughought.It's true that much of the material is the same.In order for it to change, light will have to change.That's probably not going to happen in this timespace continuum.It is still an excellent learning tool with information that is not available elsewhere.If anyone has any specific requests for the next version I take requests on www.spinquad.com.

Awesome resource from a CGI lighting master
If you're new to LightWave (or 3D in general) Nick Boughen's lighting book is a must-have.Nick skillfully teaches you to see the various qualities of light in the real world and how to reproduce them in 3D.You'll learn how lights work in LightWave, how color and shadow affect your scene, how to create specialized light rigs, and how to light objects to match background plates.Nicks is an industry veteran with a wealth of film and television credits to his name.When you purchase this book, you're not getting a rehash of LightWave manual.You're getting proven tips and techniques from someone who works as a lighting artist day in and day out.

Some have noted that this book is similar to past versions.If you already own a previous copy of Nick's lighting book you should look through this new edition to determine if the update is for you.For everyone else, you need this book.No other reference can provide you with such a thorough and complete understanding of lighting in LightWave. ... Read more

Product Description
Homeowners, garden designers, landscape professionals, and anyone with an interest in highlighting and improving the look of their home landscape will be inspired to learn how even the most drab setting can be transformed into a stunning showcase garden using simple, modern, and creative lighting schemes. Revealed in these pages are the secrets behind a wide range of lighting styles. Separate chapters cover topics such as different effects of lighting varieties available—using complementary indoor and outdoor lighting, planning for safety, and much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The worst book ever
This is the worst book ever.
I'm trying to buy all itens about Landscape Ligthing, and definetelly it's the worst that I could buy.
No ideas, no concise projects, nothing on technical information. And the pictures, Oh My God. If I was him I'm shammed of my name on the cover.

Do not waste your money

Useless Book
This is purely a picture book and the photographs are mostly bad.The whole point of photographing garden lighting is to capture the look of the lighting at twilight.When the photographs are taken too early the lighting has no impact; when taken too late the contrast levels result in hot spots of lighting that do not in any way replicate what is seen by the eye in that particular after-dark setting.The text merely gushes about what you are looking at but seldom provides any useful information about how the effects were achieved.There are a number of books about garden lighting that are better photographed and contain technical details about how the illustrated lighting was accomplished.I have reviewed all of the books on outdoor lighting that were or are still available.If what is being sought is a well illustrated primer on lighting effects in a garden setting one will not find it here. ... Read more

Product Description
A unique parenting manifesto from one of America's most provocative personalities.

According to Shmuley Boteach, author of Kosher Sex and host of TLC's Shalom in the Home, transmitting passions, motivating children with shared goals, and getting them excited about values are the most important things any parent can do. With great humor and insight, Boteach shows parents how to take their child to life'smountaintop-and create a parent-child bond based on vitality, exuberance, and mutual respect. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

A must read to all parents
The book is a must read for all parents.Boteach approaches the topic of raising children with compassion and respect.This book has a lot to offer and so many things we need to think about as parents.As parents, we have an AWESOME responsibility to protect our children physically as well as emotionally. This book has opened my eyes to many ways on how I can be a better parent and have a stronger and stable family. Thank you Shmuley Boteach!

Inspiring!!
This book was so common sensical and easy to read!I truly felt inspired to inspire Children all around me after reading it!!
Its not religious in any way although Shmuley is a Rabbi!Although he does talk about the sense of belonging, being part of a communtiy based organsiation gives!!Whether it be Guides or scouts or religion based!
Love the underlying message which was! What is a parents role? and how can we ensure our children turn out to be confident,well balanced individuals!!
Great read!! totally recommend it!

Innocence is a powerful gift to give your children
This is the most hopeful, helpful, inspirational, 'real' life, can be done, I'm so lucky to be a parent - parenting book ever.

A bit over-the-top?Perhaps, but consider this:the greatest gift you can give to your children and their futures as happy-healthy-functioning adults, is their innocence.

Rabbi Shmuley describes how to accomplish this simple, yet Herculean, task even amidst today's society. I never believed that my kids were doomed to join the ranks of the overscheduled, isolated, sophisticated, bored, angry, overlyinfluential Teen/Pre-Teen/Tween phenomenon that is today's norm.But I feared its possibility.

Until I read this book.I read it every quarter, like an innoculation against "the norm" and I give it as a gift for every parent-to-be."Parenting With Fire" reaffirms everything you suspect to be true as a parent.And reinvigorates hope for the idea of FAMILY.And values.And passions.And fun.

Great insight and encouraging advise
My sister recommended this book to me and am now reading it myself, so far I'm pleased with Rabbi Shmuley's ideas and am looking forward to reading his other books.

Wish i had this book earlier
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK..IT IS SO EASY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND. ITS WORTH THE FULL PRICE. HIS TIPS WORKS AND HE SPEAKS FROM EXPERIENCE NOT FROM A PHD ....YOU WILL ENJOY THIS BOOK AND THEN PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

amazing book!
I loved this book because it's mainly photos and not so much text! Also, it has a diagram of how the photographer placed the lights, so that kinda gives you a hint!

One of the best lighting books
I have been collecting books on photo technique for almost 5 years now. I have been a big fan of the pro lighting series books and have most of them in my collection. I find that these books are really great for inspiration and to answer the "how was it done?" question. "Lighting for Glamour" seems to feature more of the types of photos I find in my magazines. Which is nice. I would recommend going to a local store and looking this and the pro-lighting series books over first before buying and then get the 30% off discount on Amazon.

Misleading title
This book uses VERY editorial fashion photographs as examples... but does'nt explain the VERY complicated lighting. It shows a very basic diagram, thst looks to me like the author made up without the input of the actual photographer.

Great Glamour Cookbook
Bavister's book is full of "cookbook" style lighting setups with one, two, three, and more lights. While the clean, uncluttered diagrams make them easy to recreate, the book does assume that you have the lights, reflectors, gobos, stands, and other equipment required. In short, you're going need studio gear to pull off most of the shots.

That said, great photos, with lots of different styles and variations, make this a book I often pull down simply to spark my creativity. If Bavister had published it as an art book, with out the studio setups and diagrams, it would still have been worth the price.

One note: some reviewers don't understand that, in the photography world, glamour is often a euphemism for nudes. The fact that Amazon didn't mention that the book contains them is no reason to downgrade it.

Buyer Beware!
At no point in the books sample pages nor in it's summary does it warn the reader/buyer about the pornagraphic content of the sample photos.I have no objection to artists compiling books around their interests, but PLEASE let the buyer know that the content of the photos may be objectionable.Or at the very least, include them in your samples. I found this book to be quite offensive rather than instructional, and I returned it back to Amazon.Very dissapointed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

One of his best.
Andreas Feininger was one of the great photo writers of the 1970's and likely other periods since he produced a large number of books. This book is so all-inclusive on the subject that it takes a while to read but it is worth it since, as he puts it, he gives away many of the secrets that other photo writers browse over. He is very much a thinking artist and seems glad to give knowledge away to others. This book should be reissued by Dover of some such old book publisher. ... Read more

Product Description
Never before told in its entirety here is the story of the first pilgrimage of Western Bahá ís to the Holy Land.

That journey of fifteen souls during the winter of 1898 1899 has come to be recognized as a pivotal event in the history of the Bahá í Faith; more than a pilgrimage a turning point that would have far-reaching implications many centuries into the future for millions of people.

Based on all available sources, including handwritten journals and letters never previously published, this story is not a mere recounting of history, it is a tale that inspires and instructs. Those privileged to take part in the first Western pilgrimage were, in the main, ordinary people with extraordinary spiritual insight. With almost no resources available to them, they took what they gained from their time in the Holy Land, established the Faith in Europe and reestablished the American Bahá í community on a rock-solid foundation.

Above all, the Hearst pilgrimage provides a brief glimpse of Abdu l-Bahá Himself and how patiently and lovingly He nurtured those from America and Europe whose religious background and ethnic culture were so different from the main body of Eastern believers at the time. The lessons he taught during that winter, the messages he conveyed, still resonate today, for he saw the end in the beginning. These were not simply fifteen pilgrims; they were the vanguard of waves of the whole of humanity. Their achievements will remain an inspiration to all future generations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

History brought to life
The book is very well written and is in a style that brings history to life for the reader.It is written for general audiences yet is well researched, and I would encourage every reader to peruse the footnotes, as they are in themselves, a story within the story.

Ms. Hogenson expounds upon and clarifies the role played by Phoebe Apperson Hearst, yes, of the Hearst family, in the development of the Baha'i Faith in the West in general, and the United States in particular.While the import of the first visit of Westerners to the center of the Baha'i Faith located in Akka and Haifa in the Holy Land during the winter of 1898-99 is well known within the Baha'i community, the actual story of that visit has never been told in its entirety in print until now.The book contains a wealth of previously unpublished photographs from that period, and new information, including letters of Abdul-Baha, a central figure of the Faith, which are published for the first time.

The book is enjoyable to read and a cornucopia of information.

History as it should be written
Kathryn Jewett Hogenson has written an extraordinary book.The Hearst pilgrimage was a seminal event in the subsequent spread of the Bahá'í Faith to the western world.Extensively researched, the book lays a solid foundation for future scholars to build upon in studying the people and events of that time; this alone makes the book worth reading.But what makes this academic achievement extraordinary is the way in which the story is told: the reader is captivated from the first page as characters come to life and events unfold in a way that makes you feel you are there, a century ago, seeing history made. The book reads like a novel, except that it is all true, and you are able to see firsthand how events so long ago have lasting influence today. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

O.K., but there are better books out there.
So many books on Photography keep flooding the market, that there are few if any "new" ways of moving the process along.What counts, is HOW the methods are presented, the quality of the Images and the usefulness of the referencing to the diagrams presented etc.In these areas, I believe this book falls a little short.

Good Lighting Techniques
Stephen Dantzig's Softbox Lighting Techniques will make a valuable addition to any working pro's technical library. Of key interest are the sections on how varying surfaces and size, as well as reflectivity of the individual softboxes or their components can drastically affect the quality and volume of the light. Dantzig has done his research and used excellent photographs to illustrate his points.
--Bill Hurter, Editor, Rangefinder

Not for natural light photographers
This is not a good choice if you want to use only natural light, like I do. The autor uses strobes to modify the lighting. I didn't like his work either.

Not good
I'm not sure if I was reading the same book as the other reviewers because I can't understand how they could give it five stars. I couldn't get past the fact that all of the pictures were boring, poorly composed, amateurish in quality, and all set in the same environment. I usually don't return books, but I returned this one right away. Do yourself a favor and check out Bryan Peterson's "Photographing People - Beyond Portraiture" if you are looking for a first class book that is leagues beyond this offering. If you are looking for a book that contains the same kind of diagrams as this book does, then check out "Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers" by Christopher Grey. Yes, it's specific to studio portraits, but the concepts of lighting are the same. Indoors or outdoors, all photographers are ultimately trying to shape and model light. Some tools are better suited to the studio and others outdoors, but the concept of direction, tone, composition, and modifiers are essentially the same.

Best Photographic Book of 2006
Master Lighting Techniques
Stephen A. Dantzig

Stephen Dantzig wrote one of the definitive books on studio lighting, "Lighting Techniques for Fashion and Glamour Photography" back in 2005. Now he takes his considerable educational and writing talents and tackles the specific lighting needs of outdoor and location photographers.

Reading a Stephen Dantzig book on photographic lighting is a pleasure to be savored slowly. There is so much to learn and so many thought provoking views on the subject that it's a crime to rush though the book. The man knows his subject and tackles it in an unconventional and effective way.

Just as he did in his book, "Lighting Techniques for Fashion and Glamour Photography" Dantzig challenges the reader right from the beginning. There is no waste or filler in his books. He discusses different lighting needs for portrait photographers vs. beauty and fashion photographers. He explains why shooting digital is more akin to shooting chrome than film, and the implications on more precise lighting measurements.

Most photographic authors show portfolio grade images exclusively. However in this book Dantzig shows successful as well as lighting failure examples... then he dissects the failures. The reader often learns more from the `failure' examples than from the typical successful images. This is a very effective technique that more photographic authors should use.

As is typical with Danzig's books are the excellent image diagrams they help the user to visualize the shooting conditions. Not just the placement of strobe lights, but the location and condition of the sun. Another thing I like about Danzig's book is the way that he masterfully blends camera / lighting techniques with Photoshop techniques, helping the reader all along the way, not an easy thing to do.

With "Master Lighting Techniques" Danzig delivers the best photographic book of 2006, just as he did last year with "Lighting Techniques for Fashion and Glamour Photography".

Put it this way, if I were to teach a college level class on photographic lighting, Danzig's two books would be the required texts.

They're that good. ... Read more

Product Description
400 nudes--and the lighting setups that make them look so good

* A best-seller, available for the first time in paperback!
* Side- and plan-view diagrams of the lighting setup for each shot
* Includes a directory of photographers, valuable for art directors and designers

Available for the first time in paperback, the top-selling Lighting the Nude reveals the lighting secrets of the top photographers working today. It showcases more than 400 images of the nude, in a wide variety of styles. Each photograph is accompanied by detailed lighting diagrams and an explanation of what makes the shot work. Both beginners in this branch of photography and seasoned pros will find plenty of inspiring lighting ideas and practical guidance. Lighting the Nude is an essential reference for every studio photographer’s bookshelf. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

How to photography book
This book is well documented with beautiful photos and informative description of the setting.I recommend it to every one who does not want a simple description but the actual way of achieving the set goal.

Great for Beginner to Entry level Pro Photographer alike
At first, I didn't understand why a book that was in production 4 years ago could be selling for so much. I heard a few positive things about it, and everywhere I looked I saw it for at least 150.00 or more new.

I did luck out happening upon the book in a bookstore and paying the MSRP of 29.99. And let me say... the book is AMAZING. So much information, it's like a hand guide, for each situation and each pose. They give you the light setup, whetere studio or not, and they give you the shot that it produces.

Lighting is a very hard thing when it comes to the human body, but this book explains it well. I wish they had other lighting books like this but for other types of photography.

A+

A compilation of the old Pro-Lighting series
This is a reprint and repackaging of three of the Pro-Lighting series books from the late 1990s: "Pro-lighting: Nudes", "Pro-lighting: Erotica", and a third one that I don't have.That's not a bad thing, but if you have most of the old Pro-Lighting series, like I do, you might not want to buy the book.

The book nicely done, with excellent photos on the right-hand pages, and lighting diagrams on the left. And it's less expensive than the individual books were in 1997, and even less expensive than getting the individual books used.

Highly recommended.

Lighting the nude
actually i'd thought this book as somewhat a guideline for nude photography. but it is more about lighting than nude photography. there are really helpful tips on each page, but if you already know about lighting and want to learn about posing tecniques on nude, then this book is not for you.

but if you are looking for how to light this book fulfills its mission with success. i can suggest light science & magic for you too.

A good book but dated
This book presents a lot of photographic situation and discusses how the photographer handled the lighting of his nude subjects.The treatment of the lighting is good with both plan view and three dimensional (for want of a better word) sketches which give a very good idea of how each scheme was accomplished.

Some of the photographic techniques seem rather dated but my main complaint with the book (considering that it was reprinted in 2006) is that it barely acknowledges the way that digital has taken over the industry.The authors dwell on types of film used when in many cases that film is no longer available.Here and there digital is mentioned (barely) and while nothing has changed about the lighting, the loving details about film are kind of worthless in this day and age.Doubtless some will find these details useful.I did not.

In short, the treatment of the lighting was full and well done, if not fully up to date.The photographic techniques left you wondering how to do it with today's equipment.

A good book but don't expect up-to-date equipment and techniques. ... Read more

Product Description
They Call Her The Lampshade Lady

When Judy Lake turns on a lamp, she doesn’t just light up a room, she brings it to life. And with her help, you can too. Turn those boring old lampshades into perfect accents for your home decor. If you can cut and glue, you can renew and revive old shades, dress up flea market fabrics, and transform inexpensive basic frames into inspired designs that complement your home, style, and personality. From nightlights to table and floor lamps, sconces, and even chandeliers, The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting Up Your Life will forever change the way you look at lampshades.

The Lampshade Lady shows you the basics of construction and gives you the skills and confidence necessary to let your imagination run wild. Materials like vintage postcards, classic children’s books, baseball cards, heirloom photos, fabric, trim, and even simple embroidery thread produce surprising and delightful opportunities for creativity. From the stately Antique Map Shade to the charming Mama’s Pretty Apron Shade to the To-Die-For French Fabric Shade, these fifty projects are sure to make you look at every lampshade in your home as a chance to create and re-create–all without breaking your budget. Plus, you’ll learn how to make your own lamps out of even more thrifty finds like candlesticks, kerosene lamps, cowboy boots, and just about anything you can run a wire through. Discover how the Lampshade Lady’s designs and ideas really will light up your life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Good information about custom lampshades
I really think, if you are looking to create a custom lampshade, this book is a great resource.

As a industry professional, custom colors, styles are not readily available.

Thanks
David
[...]

Inspiration and practical instruction in a beautiful little book!
I put this book on my Christmas wish list last year, and I'm glad Santa was so good to me! The book gives practical step-by-step directions for how to make styrene backed lampshades using new fabric, vintage textiles, or any number of other materials such as postcards, photos, and baseball cards. There are cute, funky shades, kids shades, quirky shades, and elegant shades. Judy shows loads of possibilities for using a variety of trims and edgings, as well. The photographs are beautiful and inspiring, and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. The technique is easy enough for anyone to master.

For even more inspiration, you can see the author's most recent lampshades at her blog, which is fun, personal, and filled with great ideas: [...].

I highly recommend this book if you enjoy fabricating unique items for your home. Judy's lampshade designs would light up any room and elicit oohs and aahs from everyone who sees them.

kylady
I was very pleased with this book. There are excellent pictures and directions as well as sources to buy supplies. I rehab old lamps to give them another life and now want to add shades of my own creation to them.This book will allow me to do that and yet I will be able to add my own touches as well.

Clear instructions, Endless possibilities!
I have taken two classes with Judy at her shop. This book is like getting 50 classes for a tiny price! I now pick up wonderful little and big lamps now at flea markets/garage sales and am making wonderful vintage fabric shades. I can't stop making them. It is great fun.Thanks Judy!!!

Very beautiful photography of sample projects
These lampshade designs are incredibly gorgeous.Every single page had beautiful photographs of the gorgeous sample projects. I had no idea that one could make their own custom lampshade.The author has an amazing talent finding and using gorgeous vintage textiles.I would love to give this a try but after doing some research on supplies, I realized how expensive it would be.I believe Kathleen accepts custom orders.I think that might be what I would do.She is probably able to purchase all of her supplies wholesale and is a pro at making her shades look super professional.The only downside to the book was that the instruction photos provided one photo each for a collection of three steps per photo.I felt I needed one photo per step to really understand the process.It would be nice to be able to take a class using the book projects as inspiration. ... Read more

Product Description
For aspiring photographers ready to transform their work from average to expert, here is the "bible" to lighting any subject and space effectively.In specific but nontechnical terms, Photographic Lighting Simplified explains how to take light sources–from outdoor bright sunlight to indoor household lighting–and recreate their effects in the studio.A series of enjoyable, hands-on assignments show readers tips for selecting the right camera format, film, and lenses; the basics of metering and testing; overviews of essential equipment for studio lighting; and much more.Plus, dozens of step-by-step illustrations demonstrate an array of techniques for lighting reflective metal and glass objects; lighting different face types and groups; and special lighting considerations for digital cameras.For anyone who is serious about taking better photographs, this is the ultimate success guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Good beginner book but black and white pages
This book has some simple lighting set ups to help the beginner but the reason I only gave it 3 stars is I found the book boring to look at.Most of the book is in black and white photos.I like a writer that gets to the point pretty quick and simple and found some of the reading monotone kind of like the black and white pictures.

Pretty good information
Good basic information but not very detailed. Not for the intermediate or advanced photographer.

Poor structure, very little real help
I thought this book would be an all-in-one lighting wonder book. I mean, it covers hotlights, flashes, strobes, shooting on location, shooting in a studio, and more! But I was sorely disappointed.

While it does discuss a lot of different equipment and techniques, it isn't really very helpful. Why?

* Structure: It doesn't follow a logical sequence, which means you can be jumping around a lot to find 'related' information. This, in turn, means you haven't learnt much because it's too hard to 'file' what you're reading mentally.

* Equipment vs. technique: These two things are mixed in together when they really ought to be separate. I mean, the lighting setups you use when using hotlights are roughly the same as when using strobes. The way you handle the equipment is different, but the same principles apply. So why go into the details of setting up a portrait when discussing the different equipment types?

* No diagrams: How hard can it be to draw a lighting diagram for each shot? There is not one diagram for any photo in the book (though Susan McCartney does start by saying how important diagrams are!!), which makes it hard to visualise the setups.

* No colour: Probably to save money, the only colour photograph in the book is on the cover. Fair enough, but a little effort could have been put into making the black and whites a little less 'flat'.

* Digital falsehoods: Though McCartney apparently shoots digital occasionally, she really doesn't get it, and this comes up in some obviously wrong statements throughout the book, like this one:
"Do be aware that each time you play back a digital image in the camera, it may degrade the final result..." Since when have digital images degraded when previewed on the camera? Statements like this really don't help her professional credibility.

To summarise, while the book does cover a lot of ground and contains some useful information for beginners, you will need to read something more thorough before you actually start shooting with serious lighting gear. It doesn't even tell you how to control lighting ratios!

Disappointing
This book was quite disappointing, so much so that if it were possible I would ask for my moneyback. The author belabors her writings to the point that it becomes irritating. For instance, she explains how electricity heats the filament of a bulb to make it light up. Superfluous information! She also - as another reviewer wrote - publishes all her pictures in black and white, even those she took in color. What was the purpose of that? To make the book cheaper to print?

There is some useful information in the book if you take the time to sift through it all, and it could have been condensed into half the size without losing any valuable content.

Needs Improvement.
I have three main criticisms of this book. First, the book has no color pictures when it is clear the author did not take many of these pictures in B&W (or if she did she needs to find another profession). This is ridiculous when the subject of the book is photography and the pictures are an important learning tool. Second, the author spends too much time on hotlights and flashes when most photographers (even amateurs) will be using strobes because of the availability of light modifiers and other advantages.Third, the last half of the book is about doing photographic assignments rather than adding more information (and there is a lot more) about lighting. In sum, I would skip this book if you're light on cash and get "Master lighting guide for potrait photographers" and "Beginner's lighting guide to photographic lighting" which are both excellent (avoid "basic studio lighting"). ... Read more

Product Description
Learn to photograph beautiful nude female models by reading this book.

It's a step-by-step guide to recruiting beautiful models, lighting, photographing nudes, post-processing images, and maybe even getting paid to do it. The human body has been an inspiration for artists since before the invention of photography. Naturally, nudes were one of the first subjects of photography as well.

Prior experience with nude models is not required to benefit from this how-to guide. This guide can be enjoyed by anyone, but is written for two main audiences: the accomplished photographer wanting insight from a peer, and the serious amateur wanting a guided introduction to the field. 

Customer Reviews (7)

How to 101
True Confessions of Nude Photograph is a course in a single volume. The author explains each step necessary to produce quality nude photos. The Diagrams of lighting set up illustrated how the accompaning photograph was taken. There are many useful tips and an outstanding model release (with the authors comments on how to properly use the release). I was very impressed with the information, diagrams, photographs, and the authors presentation of the material. Well worth the purchase price.

Great lighting info
The reason I bought this book was for the lighting and posing info, was very happy with both.

A well executed user's guide for the initiate...
OK, so - I get this book review request, and think to myself... "Wolfy, how good is your life? Pretty good right about now!" So, with Martini in hand, and laptop on my - well, lap, I delved into this publication with joyous abandon. The subtitle says "A step-by-step guide to recruiting beautiful models, lighting, photographing nudes, post-processing images, and maybe even getting paid to do it."

Being a bit of a photo buff, I was (ahem) very interested in the actual content. And, true to its subtitle, this step-by-step guide indeed brings the reader through the ABC's and XYZ's of nude photography. I always wondered how an amature or beginner photographer would convince beautiful women to disrobe in front of a camera, and the author does a great job explaining how we went about it. His friendly, conversational style of writing is immediately engaging as he describes, from a professional's point of view, how to find and hire models.

He then covers the technical and aesthetic aspects of lighting, equipment, shooting styles, and post processing - a fancy term for spicing up your images on your computer. The guide is very thorough, with many illustrations and example poses that are tasteful, which brings me to an important point: What this guide isn't, is an exploitation of women. The author's positive and professional attitude is effectively conveyed throughout the guide.

Technically, the guide is well organized with an opening table of contents, four appendices, a sample model release, glossary of terms, and an index. A definite *must* for any photographer.

Cutting-edge, comprehensive, and, yes, smoking-hot models!
As a seasoned travel photographer, my genre is quite the antithesis of this one: I shoot primarily outdoors rather than in-studio, I rely solely on natural lighting, I profoundly prefer candid shots over posed, and next to never do I digitally manipulate my images.

The upside to constantly traveling across the world is I know probably better than anyone which cities and countries are home to the most lovely ladies (Tokyo tops the list).I have always envied photogs who work in the comfortable confines of a studio, interact with a bevy of beautiful women and certainly get paid far better for their work than I.Why, then, shouldn't I give it a try?

But before actually delving into nude photography, I first have been flipping through numerous volumes of photo technique guides to see if it is indeed a genre I could easily convert to (i.e. teaching an old dog new tricks), but thus far I have been put off by what I have seen: guides that are either excruciatingly technical or out-dated to the point of uselessness.

And then comes along True Confessions, a brand-spanking-new book that blessedly incorporates pretty much every up-to-date aspect of the nude photography profession into a refreshingly fun instructional manual for amateurs and pros alike.

With over 20 years nude photography experience ("hundreds" of naked girls, by his last count, lucky devil) combined with proper schooling, I can't think of a better teacher than A.K. Nicholas. But even more important than his own experience and credentials is Nicholas' talent as an author for being able to convey a highly-technical skill such as studio photography into easy-to-follow text and diagrams that will immediately put the reader at ease. "You'll learn from my successes AND from my mistakes," writes Nicholas.As a photographer who is entirely self-taught and has limited technical background, I appreciated this most about True Confessions.

At a 120+ pages, True Confessions is comprehensive.20 of those pages are dedicated to the most challenging aspect of the job: recruiting and shooting models.Our Savior Nicholas plots it all out for us in hip lingo akin to the rules of dating ("I never call after a third `no'"; "concentrate on booking a specific day, not a specific model"). He then moves on to studio etiquette, such as how (not) to physically handle a model's fun-parts, tips to make a new nude feel relaxed, and chatting a model up."My goal is to make images, not to make friends," states Nicholas.Elliot DiMauro from `Just Shoot Me' would be so disappointed.

A sheer quarter of the book is on the art of lighting. Due to my personal jones for natural light, I was admittedly was initially loath to read this chapter. But Nicholas' cool reasoning ("the key to background light is not a lot of light, but a lot of lightS") complimented by helpful illustrated diagrams, example images and informational text - and even a token few pages on outdoor lighting - those 30 pages were, well, illuminating.

Arguable the most useful section of this book is on posing and composition.Nicholas dips into the "pin-up versus art" debate and critiques the mythical "Golden Mean" method, encouraging us to "depart from the formulaic," though ultimately the author suggests a combination of classic and experimental composition to create new poses.The chapter closes (read: rewards us) with a whopping 100 (!) different sample poses ranging from traditional to avant-garde that are sure to give Playboy a run for its money.

Post-processing is covered in-depth (he suggests "a day of post-processing for every hour of shooting"), including instructional screen-captures of the most up-to-date computer software tips. Advice on shooting for microstock and making/selling 3D reference photos follows.A helpful glossary and sample model release forms close out the appendix.

While the author gets quite specific about lighting, he avoids suggesting specific lenses or gear, which may frustrate newbie photogs who prefer to have their hands held on such matters.And with the exception of the un-credited oriental beauty on page 60, I would have liked to see more exotic models (Latina, Asian, African American, Indian) instead of a purely-Anglo cast, as ethnic skin tones photograph far differently.However, Nicholas can consider such suggestions for a "True Confessions Part 2: International Nudes."

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Tom Carter is the author of CHINA: Portrait of a People

An Exceptional Instructional for Nudes
This is one of the most complete books to come along in recent years for everyone wanting to jump into photographing nudes. It's also very succinct and accessible and written in a clear, easy-to-follow manner. Herein lies its strength - everything one needs to know is provided but the author does not overwhelm the reader with excess information. All the essentials are here - recruiting models, interacting with them like a professional, posing them, and so forth. Lighting, lighting equipment, indoors and outdoors, photo composition, post-production (Photoshop) - it's all here. Nicholas concludes by providing some very useful information about selling and marketing ones work.

Each section of this book contains numerous nuggets of valuable information. The chapter on POSING covers almost every aspect of this art form, including a thorough discussion on pin-up vs art photography, but Nicholas doesn't end it there - he provides a handy reference to this subject by providing examples of 100 poses - that's 100 photos of nude models in 100 different poses - very useful. The book is also packed with full-size nude photos (shot by A. K. Nicholas, of course), lighting diagrams, and various diagrams, charts, and the like.

This is an exceptional instructional that's a must have for beginners and mid-level amateurs. Even advanced users and professionals will find things in here they can use.
... Read more

Product Description
An indispensable lighting reference you’ll refer to again and again
 
Photography is all about light, yet light remains one of the most confusing and intimidating topics for amateur photographers. The Photographer’s Lighting Toolbox is a complete introduction to lighting principles, gear, and techniques, including:

   • the basics of exposure: metering, bracketing, exposure value, depth of field, and more
   • gear and techniques associated with the four main types of light: natural light, modified light, continuous light, and flash illumination
   • setups for a variety of lighting scenarios, from simple to complex, with foolproof diagrams showing what to put where 
 
With easy-to-grasp explanations of complex lighting concepts, clear lighting diagrams, and a thorough review of all the gear you’ll need, this is an indispensable reference for photographers of all levels interested in using light for more professional results.
  ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Wide But Not Deep Introduction to Concepts and Equipment
The Photographer's Lighting Toolbox is a thorough introduction to many of the aspects of light and lighting, the concepts of dSLR photography, and the available equipment for artificial and studio lighting.Unfortunately, the emphasis is on "introduction."It doesn't delve deeply into any of the topics or into the actual application of these ideas and this equipment.It basically informs you that all of these ideas and pieces of equipment exist, but then leaves it at that.It also jumps between advanced concepts for the experienced photographer and basic concepts applicable to those new to photography.And despite the criticism of his previous book "Guide to Photography and Light" being too Nikon-centric, this book too speaks directly to Nikon users and seems to indicate that the small, simple courtesy of translating the terminology or settings for Canon or other users is not worth the author's time or effort.

Most annoyingly, it makes numerous comparisons between camera use and metering in the era of film vs. now.In a book written in 2004 that was grudgingly acceptable to the digital photographer who would tolerate these pointless asides.This book is from 2010.We get it:photographers had to work harder to get exposure right with film, photographers couldn't rely on advanced metering systems, photographers have it so easy now.These types of film vs. digital comparisons serve little purpose and are of no interest to the digital photographer today.

Photography writers like Scott Kelby changed the game and now reach a wide, appreciative audience with books that explain sometimes difficult concepts and techniques in user-friendly ways that apply to real-life studio and field use, without trying to convince their readers that they have to first pay their dues by studying exposure value charts (page 50) and Kelvin temperature charts (page 13).I think this book could learn a lesson from that approach, and thus be more helpful to the reader and the beginner or intermediate photographer.

This book might be most helpful to someone interested in being introduced to the basics concepts of light and lighting, and to all the various types of studio lights, stands, and modifiers.The second half of the book is much like an equipment catalog covering all these items with some explanation of what they are.Just don't expect much insight into how to put the concepts and the equipment to use.The book's subtitle, "A Complete Guide to Gear and Techniques for Professional Results" should really just say "Gear" and not "Techniques." ... Read more

Product Description
How to Light a historic interior appropriately—or create a realistic period look—can be a perplexing problem. Few people want to return to the days when light came mainly from candles, kerosene, gas or available sunlight. But acceptable ways of re-creating old lighting do exist, and Lighting for Historic Buildings shows how to find them. This invaluable guide provides both a history of lighting in America and a catalog of 481 suitable reproductions available today. Noted historian Roger Moss shows how interiors from the 1620s to the 1930s can be well lighted yet still maintain their character. Reproductions are organized by lighting source (candles, burning fluids, kerosene, gas and electricity) and fixture type (chandeliers, wall brackets and hall lights). Also included are chapters on street lighting and specialty items, a glossary and a reading list. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

smooth transaction, exact product, nice&easy supplier
exact product at an affordable price w a smooth transaction

The Resource Reference
Noted historian Roger Moss provides a concise history of lighting and a resource of over 480 suitable reproductions organized by light source and fixture type.Includes valuable bibliography, suppliers and glossary.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description

More than any building material, light produces spatial effects, generates moods, and "stages architectural designs. In well-lit spaces, we feel good, and we are capable and effective; light promotes health. Moreover, especially in office buildings, the combination of a sensible natural lighting design with a corresponding approach to artificial lighting is a decisive factor in energy conservation.

Product Description
Learning how to set up, use, and control lighting is the biggest challenge facing photographers who want to do studio work. With the help of this manual, serious amaeturs, photography students, and pros switching from outdoor to studio work are sure to become lighting masters. Beginning with an inventory of ingredients found in a well-stocked commercial studio, The Lighting Cookbook, presents every essential piece of lighting and shooting equipement, with a full explanation of how, when, and why each is used.

Dozens of lighting recipies from six top pros come next. They reveal step by step how they made their shots, complete with set-up details, lens choices, composition decisions, and lighting diagrams. The foolproof recipies cover a range of studio-work specialities, including glamour, fashion, still life, and portraiture - corporate, children, and pets.

The Lighting Cookbok provides all levels of photographers with everything they need to know about studio lighting to achieve great pictures on a regular basis. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Lights, Camera,Food
Foolproof recipes for perfect glamour, Portrait, Still Life, and Corporate photographs. This is one of the most interesting books I have ever read...and I thought it was another food cookbook. My husband is an artist and it has helped so much with displays. One gets filled with ideas which lead to more ideas.

advanced amateur photographer
While it is true that the glamor photo information is dated, the author does a great job of explaining the objectives and setups of the photo shoot.I was looking for a step by step book and this one comes close.I recommend it for someone wantng to learn more about portrait photography - probably too basic for an advanced shooter.

this book is a joke
bad concept, bad photography. very little substance. I bought this book cheap (used) because I wanted to see, if there were some areas of lighting where I needed to rub up. you have very little helpful advice for a seasoned photographer. as for a novice most information is utterly useless - how many times do you need to photograph a woman wearing a coat in july??? plus it has no focus. I think that they would have been better served to focus on one area of photography and cover it in-depth but it looks like a hodge podge; something here, something there. for a 'cookgook' it looks like microwaved entree. beginners and advanced alike, look somewhere else.

Before digital
An older book about lighting for Film cameras. Too basic and just not that helpful in shedding light on the details of shots.

Please do not buy this book......
The book is a poorly researched pamphlet....not a book for beginners or professionals....not enough details or smart explanations.....it is suppose to get you with a catchy title, but this is not a cooking book...not a funny comparison at all....please do not waste your money.... ... Read more

Product Description
Lighting is a blend of the aesthetic and the technical that can create an infinite number of dramatic effects. Good lighting design completes the emotional and literal portrayals of any performance piece, accenting words,music, and movement. Stage Lighting Revealed explains what designers need to know when creating or executing an effective lighting design, including: understanding the basic functions of lighting and the qualities of light used to carry out these functions; understanding the equipment that will be used, including its mechanics and functions; deciding what they want to create, or say, with lighting; laying out the visual messages they wish to convey; creatingoriginal interpretations with light; determining how the design can be executed. Cunningham s reader-friendly introduction to stage lighting and design is ideal for getting prospective lighting designers started on their ownjourney. Readers are encouraged to experiment and tap their creativity by selecting from the processes and techniques detailed throughout the book. Many diagrams, charts, and photographs complement and enhance the concepts presented in the text. Among the topics discussed are: using color toplay to the audience s emotions; what to consider when you place instruments in the five basic lighting positions; breaking a performance into lighting moments, laying the lighting design, and bringing that design to life; using andmaintaining the many types of stage lighting fixtures; commonsense troubleshooting; stretching your lighting budget; pulling off a successful load-in, production, and postproduction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

This is a 14-year-old book
While this is an excellent primer for the beginner, DON'T LET AMAZON'S PUBLISHED DATE FOOL YOU. This book was WRITTEN IN 1993 and does not cover computerized lighting nor does it cover the new and widely used fixtures on the market today. Amazon should have alerted the reader that the book was re-issued but NOT updated when it changed publishers. The July 2002 date is the DATE THE BOOK CHANGED PUBLISHERS ONLY. It has not been updated since 1993. It is identical to my 1993 copy, and only the cover has been changed. Sad.....

Without extensive chapters on computerized consoles and dimming systems, moving lights, and new fixtures (those new in the last 14 years), the beginner can only go so far. Disappointing in an otherwise excellent text.

Archaic Lighting Concepts - Alternate Title
This book has lines like "computers are often used now to program and run lighting schemes".Gee, really Wally?This book seems to have been published 20 years ago and never bothered to be updated.What a scam...

The only lighting foundations book you need!
Stage Lighting Revealed: A Design and Execuation Handbook is absolutely perfect for both the novice or the experienced lighting technician/designer.Because the book covers all three aspects of stage lighting, it is absolutely perfect as a book of foundations for theatrical lighting.All sections are explained clearly and in great detail, assisted by the use of comprehensive photographs, diagrams and illustrations.As well, it is not outdated like many other lighting books on the market.For anyone interested in theatrical lighting, YOU NEED THIS BOOK!

WOW! Amazing Introduction
Recommended to both beginner and intermediate users in stage lighting, this book is what got me started!After reading tons of other books and finding myself nowhere, this book revealed everything.A++

Almost Perfect
I'm still searching for the perfect lighting design book, but Stage Lighting Revealed is as close as I have seen. It's small and lightweight, (and inexpensive) and packed with practical information. It coverseverything from the fundamentals of electricity to state-of-the-artequipment. It would be nice if it had a bit more information on specificlighting techniques, but with the amount of clear, practical information inthis book, I can't complain. A perfect book for beginners and intermediatedesigners alike. ... Read more

Product Description
How to make digital photography lighting more creative—and less challenging!

How do you master the art of lighting your photographs? Go beyond the basics, go beyond the “rules,” and get creative with the help of renowned photographer Harold Davis. In this book, Harold shows you how to break the boundaries of conventional wisdom and create unique, lively, and beautifully lit photographs.  Packed with tips and tricks as well as stunning examples of the author’s creativity, this book will both inform and inspire you to create your own lighting style.

• Teaches you when and how to control the light in your photographs
• Reviews the basic “rules” of digital photography lighting and shows you how to break the rules to create your own uniquely lit images
• Helps you start building a lighting style of your own
• Includes stunning examples of the author’s photography and lighting techniques

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned digital photographer, you’ll find ideas and techniques to spark your creativity.

... Read more

Product Description
This thoroughly updated edition of the lighting 'bible' guides readers through technical foundations, equipment, and techniques of lighting for film and video productions.

The Professional Lighting Handbook details all major lighting topics, including: characteristics of light; fixture structures and components; light source types, operating principles, and use; unit power requirements; light controllers, modifiers, and filters, and how to select them; the aesthetics of lighting the set.

Details everything you need to know about lighting.
Perfect for anyone in film or video production.
This is the "bible" of professional lighting. ... Read more