David Busch's Quick Snap Guide To Lighting
by David D. Busch
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Book Summary Information
Author: David D. BuschEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-10-02
ISBN: 1598635484
Number of pages: 202
Publisher: Course Technology PTR
Book Reviews of David Busch's Quick Snap Guide To Lighting
Book Review: Very illuminating!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am not a professional photographer and this book was not written for professional photographers (who probably already know everything written in it, anyway). It is written for people like me, who photograph for pleasure, don't have a lot of peripheral equipment, and want to take the best photo they can with what equipment they do have (or, at least, not buy any extra equipment that is superfluous).
The book is arranged very logically: There are major topic divisions which are chapter headings, then subheadings for relevant situations that fall under that heading. Ex: Chapter: Travel and Architecture. Subheadings: Choosing Best Light and Best Angle; Monuments and Museums; Interiors; Mixed Illumination; Sunsets and Sunrises; Night Lighting; Fireworks; Water, Beaches, and Snow.
Each category is supported by relevant text and on-point and well-captioned illustrations. Often, the illustrations include a "right" version and a "wrong" version so that you understand the underlying principles that govern each situation.
The two chapters dealing with portraits were very helpful to me, even though I don't own any lighting equipment other than a flash. The series of illustrations demonstrating not only how to use light, but also how to use shadows were extremely interesting. I have always taken the safe route of having everything well lit and adding drama in post-processing. I'm now trying to consciously allow for shadow to happen from a selected angle to better sculpt the subject. Post capture processing is not an adequate substitute for getting it right in camera, and lighting is the single biggest contributor to a good photograph. So I'm trying to understand light, which is a lot harder than it sounds.
There are ample illustrations of side lighting, bounced lighting, reflected light and countless other combinations that I can create using my flash (straight, bounced, or fill-in), existing lighting, and a simple reflector (using one of those collapsible sun shields you use to keep cars cooler). I will probably never consciously worry about lighting ratios, but actually seeing the different effects achieved by each different ratio, gives me a better idea what my final photo will look like before I take the picture.
Of course, if you do have umbrellas, off-camera lights, and other specialized studio equipment, the lighting setup sketches showing how each photo was lit will be useful (although I would think that, by the time you set up a professional studio, you already know all this). For people like me, those setup sketches are still helpful, since I can visualize what the main light is doing and what the contributions of the peripheral sources might be. It's sort of the left-brain part of photography, not the art.
The best thing I took away from this book is to understand my lighting options when presented with a photo opportunity. Whether photographing my grandson or a an interesting site during a trip, there are ways to make the best of whatever conditions are present at the moment I'm there. A professional might set up lighting or come back at a time with better conditions. But I'm not a professional, I'm there when I'm there, I don't have much time to set up, and rescheduling is not an option. So it is particularly important to fully understand what options I do have.
Summary of David Busch's Quick Snap Guide To Lighting
Have you mastered the essentials of your digital SLR camera and now want to learn how to use light as a tool to enhance your photographs? "David Busch's Quick Snap Guide to Lighting" provides a concise introduction to working with light and exposure, improving your photos with filters and reflectors, and transforming good lighting into great lighting, all in a simple-to-browse book. This guide offers focused information that explains the purpose and function of each type of lighting, how to use it effectively to take compelling photos, and how to improve the lighting you find in a scene. You'll learn how to create and work with diffused light, tame daylight so your pictures don't look overexposed, the secret to multiple light sources, how to use light creatively, techniques for action shots, lighting for travel and architecture, and much more. Each topic and concept introduced is condensed into a two- to fourpage spread, illustrated with striking full-color photographs, and all the basics of light and lighting are presented. The book is designed so you can thumb through it and easily find exactly the chapter and information you are looking for. And a mini-glossary helps by defining unfamiliar terms as you go. Get ready to conquer the mysteries of light to take better and more beautiful photographs.Digital Photography Books
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