Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

To be fair, it's not always an easy read (there's a lot of theory and some math/physics to wade through), but it's worth the effort. I saw the difference in the next roll I shot. I only wish I had found this book a few years ago...


Absolutely excellent guide to the understanding/use of light   May 31, 1999
topher71@hotmail.com (Milwaukee, WI.)
22 out of 23 found this review helpful

Anyone intimidated or confused by the subject of artificial/studio lighting must read this book. Very well prepared and very objective. The author describes how lighting WORKS, not how HE does it. Text is filled with numerous example photos and lighting diagrams. No experience with lighting is necessary to appreciate this book, but a solid photography background and a little understanding of physics helps. Top Notch.


Well above average lighting book.   September 23, 2004
Shock Writer (Knoxville, Tennessee United States)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

If you are tired of the average "artsy & wondering" lighting book then this one may be for you. The writers do a better job of covering the placement of lights and how that effects the creation of direct or diffuse lighting than any other book I've seen and I've easily read 6 lighting books from cover to cover over the years. Hunter and Fuqua (love that name) cover product photography and the problems of achieving good edge contrast and handling glare. They don't wimp out when you want to know how to handle black-on-black or white-on-white contrast problems. They tell how to light glass and metal also. Their explanations of light physics are given at a layman's understanding level though this does not hurt the book much. Just remember, light angle in = light angle out, and you can probably follow their examples.

The portrait chapter falsely called "An Arsenal of Lights" is better than most portrait books that I've read. Other writings on portraits I've seen just put their head in the sand and maybe give a couple of their pet peeves of bad lighting then tell you that their are no rules. This book is much better as it covers the basic lights for portraits, short and broad lighting technique, and more. They give you the tools to work with, telling you which lights go where and why so you at least have a starting point when trying to make a person look beautiful in 2d. This is not really an aesthetics book but a tools and techniques of the trade kind of book that is greatly needed. Very Highly recommended.