500 Lighting Hints, Tips, and Techniques

by Ashford, Rod

• ISBN13: 9782940378159
• ISBN10: 2940378150
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-08-21
• Publisher: Rotovision

Summary

This handy guide offers advice on choosing and using equipment, plus explanations of the characteristics of light, such as contrast, direction, diffusion, and reflection. The book covers both natural and artificial light, with tips on working outdoors, in low-light conditions, and in the studio. Easy-to-follow projects take the reader through a selection of lighting setups and explain simple techniques for perfecting lighting effects using computer software. This easy, all-in-one guide answers all your lighting questions. Book jacket.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 06
The Basics
Equipment, light quantity and quality	p. 08
How do cameras record the pictures your eyes see?	p. 10
A word or two about tripods	p. 16
Measuring light with in-camera light meters	p. 21
Characteristics of Light
Learning to "see" light	p. 26
Contrast	p. 29
Hard and soft light	p. 30
Direction and angle	p. 31
Diffusion	p. 33
Reflection	p. 33
Working with Daylight
Modifying daylight	p. 34
Reflectors	p. 36
Softening shadows using a reflector	p. 38
Softening shadows using a diffuser	p. 38
Softening shadows using fill-in flash	p. 39
Artificial Lighting
Portable flash	p. 40
Continuous light	p. 51
Studio flash	p. 52
Anatomy of a basic flash head	p. 53
Triggering the flash	p. 56
Controlling the light	p. 58
Measuring artificial light	p. 63
How many lights do you need?	p. 64
Working with one light	p. 65
Working with multiple lights	p. 67
Purchasing lights for photography	p. 69
Lighting Setups
Copying artwork	p. 70
Collectible coffee mug	p. 74
Creating a pure white backdrop	p. 78
Indoor portrait using one light	p. 80
Glass against a white background	p. 82
Outdoor portrait	p. 84
Jewelry	p. 88
Glass against a dark backdrop	p. 90
Indoor portrait using two lights	p. 92
Reflective object	p. 94
Outdoor portrait with a dramatic sky	p. 96
Beauty lighting with two lights	p. 98
Postproduction Lighting
Image-editing software	p. 100
Quick Fix mode	p. 104
Full Edit mode	p. 110
Auto lighting adjustments	p. 113
Manual lighting adjustments	p. 114
Selective lighting adjustments	p. 116
Advanced lighting adjustments	p. 118
Glossary	p. 124
Index	p. 126
Acknowledgments	p. 128
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