Product Description

An amazing (and some would say magical) resource on photographic lighting that has been talked about in the community and recommended for years. This highly respected guide has been thoroughly updated and revised for content and design - it is now produced in full color! It introduces a logical theory of photographic lighting so if you are starting out in photography you will learn how to predict results before setting up lights. This is not primarily a how-to book with only set examples for you to copy. Rather, Light: Science and Magic provides you with a comprehensive theory of the nature and principles of light to allow you to use lighting to express your own creativity.

Numerous photographs and illustrations provide clear examples of the theories, while sidebars highlight special lighting questions. Expanded chapters on available light in portraiture, as well as new information on digital equipment and terminology make this a must have update!

*New four color art package with contemporary lighting examples
*Based on the behaviour of light
*Theory book for serious photographers

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1556 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Review
'This is the first book I have seen on photographic lighting that is worth using as a text. Light-Science and Magic is about principles, not cheap tricks or the authors' portfolio. Thanks.'---Pete Christman, Savannah College of Art and Design.

'An excellent guide to high-quality studio-style lighting, even on location.'---John Alderson, Booklist. -- Review

Review
"The first book on photographic lighting that is worth using as a text. Light - Science and Magic is about principles, not cheap tricks or the authors' portfolio."
-Pete Christman, Savannah College of Art and Design.

"This revision is really an extraordinary accomplishment in offering a thorough understanding and application of lighting. The author's new approach, with updated illustrations and lessons makes for both a good read and great textbook. I would recommend this book for any lighting class, from basic to the most advanced course."

-Dennis Keeley
Chair of Photography and Imaging
Art Center College of Design


"Any time you have a book that makes it to the third edition, you have a winner."

"If you are a photographer of any type, especially on who does studio work, this is a must have reference."

"The added bonus is that the topics learned from this book will never go out of date."

-BC Books (May 2007)

From the Publisher
Although styles of photographic lighting continue to change, Light: Science and Magic does not go out of fashion because it is not based on style; rather it is based on the behavior of light. These principles will not change unless the fundamentals of physics do.

Customer Reviews

Lighting from a scientific point of view
The explanations "how to" are great. For those who want to go further in lighting comrehension and fundamentals. I tried some of the exercises, and it...works.
Highly recommended (it is a strobist.blogspot.com/ choice).
I don't think this book is for the very beginners.

essential for all photographers
If you are just starting or have been working for awhile with artificial lighting I really recommend you buy a copy of "Light, Science and Magic" , third edition. I have never come across as comprehensive yet down to earth guide for understanding and using the properties of light as this book. I have no connection with the authors and in fact only recently (early Sept. 08) bought a copy after hearing certain people here on photo.net rave about it. I was skeptical because of the title and feared it was yet another lighting cookbook of cookie cutter approaches to using light. it emphatically is not . It is very useful even if you never intend to never use artificial light. It is both well written and well illustrated.

As a companion volume I also recommend Kirk Tuck's book " Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Location Lighting" if you are using small strobes such as the Canon, Nikon, Metz or Sony Speedlights. Together these two books virtually 100% of the ideas concepts and practices of using light dynamically to make more creative and visually powerful photographs.

very comprehensive
The book is about what is light, how to use it in the difference materials and special effects.
it was very helpful for me because i look for a book that talk about the basic principles of light.