Good lighting book for a beginner

[FlexiPack]

Hi,

I'm looking for a book on lighting - i'm a beginner. I've been collecting titles of books that i've have gotten good reviews and I've come up with the following shortlist:


Creative Lighting Techniques for Studio Photographers - Dave Montizambert (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/158428093X/ref=wl_it_dp/202-0888808-3971812?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2ABI9J1J69UDD&colid=1ETPSQJDK417N)
Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers - Christopher Grey (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1584281251/ref=wl_it_dp/202-0888808-3971812?ie=UTF8&coliid=I30DIES5DWASXW&colid=1ETPSQJDK417N)
Posing and Lighting Techniques: For Studio Portrait Photography - J.J Allen (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/158428031X/ref=wl_it_dp/202-0888808-3971812?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1A90HDDCXZWQ9&colid=1ETPSQJDK417N)
Skin: The Complete Guide to Digitally Lighting, Photographing, and Retouching Faces and Bodies - Lee Varis (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/047004733X/ref=wl_it_dp/202-0888808-3971812?ie=UTF8&coliid=I31YOQ59G3CH2B&colid=1ETPSQJDK417N)The last book 'Skin' whilst not a lighting book I thought looked an excellent book on the post processing side of portrait work which is what i'm interested in doing.

What i'd like to know is if any of you have read these books and whether you'd personally recommend them. For the lighting, i'm looking ideally for a book that covers the basics of lighting set ups (including one light set ups if poss), examples, perhaps how different types of light affect photography etc. I'm pretty sure all these books covers those criteria but it's deciding which one.

Also if you know of a good book that i haven't listed, please let me know.

Many thanks,

Flex


P.S I have £25 Amazon vouchers that are burning a hole in my pocket :lol:

[TMR Design]

Hi Flex,

I'm sure those are great books but from personal experience I can tell you that an outstanding book for the lighting beginner is Scott Smith's Studio Lighting Made Simple (http://lightingmagic.com/litbook.htm). I highly recommend it.

[FlexiPack]

Thanks Robert i'll take a look!

[SYS]

I recently purchased Grey's Master Lighting, and based on my initial reading of it, I'd highly recommend it. It has a list of good reviews in Amazon.com.

[splitfyre]

I got the "Skin: The Complete Guide to Digitally Lighting, Photographing, and Retouching Faces and Bodies - Lee Varis" book for my birthday this month from friends and I must say that I'd HIGHLY recommend it to those doing portrait photography. :)

[Robocop]

STUDIO LIGHTING MADE SIMPLE is the best book I have ever read about lighting. Simple to understand and just what I had been looking for. I think just about anyone could read this and understand lighting. It changed my world. The author writes with amazing clarity. I got it from LIGHTINGMAGIC.COM.
Robo

[TMR Design]

I couldn't agree more Robocop. I am sure many of these other recommendations are good books but for those that know Scott Smith and his manner of communicating and teaching, his style is unique and exciting. You realize quickly with Studio Lighting Made Simple that it's not just another book with lots of technical info, some diagrams, formulas, examples, etc.
I spent $50 on Light, Science and Magic and I have no doubt for people that already grasp lighting and understand light it is probably a very valuable book. I read it, got what I could from it and even after rereading it I found I understood very little about actual lighting, metering and the basics. It sits on my shelf whereas SLMS sits open on my desk.

With Scott's book you feel as if you've really learned something by the end of the first chapter and that your head has not been filled with extra nonsense that need not come in to play. He makes a point to un-complicate what most seem to overcomplicate.

Clearly I like this book but I recommend it because of what it offers the novice. If you're a beginner or you're thinking of maybe trying out some portraits and setting up a home studio then I guarantee you are going to love it and learn all the things that now cause you to scratch your head in confusion.

[FlexiPack]

I'm sold!!

I've emailed about shipping costs for Studio Lighting Made Simple.

One question though.. I'm using Flashguns not dedicated studio strobes, will the information in the book still be as relevant? I'm sure it will but would just like to make sure.

I'm also going to buy 'Skin: The Complete Guide to Digitally Lighting, Photographing, and Retouching Faces and Bodies - Lee Varis' as well.

Thanks for the info chaps!

[TMR Design]

Hi Flexipack,

Shipping form LightingMagic.com is $8.00 for the book. Scott usually ships the same day as the order via Priority Mail.

Although Scott does not specifically address the topic of flash guns and Speedlites, all the concepts and practices still apply. Light is light, which is very cool.

I believe Scott is away for a few days but I would suggest that you give him a call at the 800 number listed on his site or email him and ask any questions you might have.

EDIT: Ahh I see you are in the UK. Yes, I'm sure he will have to give you a shipping rate for that.

[Headcase650]

One question though.. I'm using Flashguns not dedicated studio strobes, will the information in the book still be as relevant? I'm sure it will but would just like to make sure.


Yes in a way. What you need to remember is a flash gun dont put out the same amount of power so you must use a higher ISO. The light will act exactly the same weather from a flash gun or a studio monolight but with flash guns your light modifiers are limited. Your probably going to use umbrellas or maybe a smaller soft box, I wouldnt use a flash gun in something like a strip light, I dont think it has enough spred or power to work correctly. I have master lighting guide and can highly recommend it. If you want to see wat can be done with 2 or 3 flash guns look at my website, its nothing fancy just a small portfolio but all the portraits have been done with flash guns, umbrellas and a small home made soft box.

[thewavebb]

I learned a fair amount from the book:

Portrait Photography: secrets of posing and lighting. By Mark Cleghorn ISBN: 1-57990-548-x

It covered both using natural lighting and flash to enhance posing. very well illustrated. I recommend it.