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Light Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting [Paperback]

Fil Hunter (Author), Steven Biver (Author), Paul Fuqua (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
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Book Description

Publication Date: 8 Sep 2011 | ISBN-10: 0240812255 | ISBN-13: 978-0240812250 | Edition: 4
THE book to own if you want to understand lighting! 

Light Science and Magic provides so much more than just set examples for photographers to follow. This international bestseller provides photographers with a comprehensive theory of the nature and principles of light to allow individual photographers to use lighting to express their own creativity. It will show you how to light the most difficult subjects such as surfaces, metal, glass, liquids, extremes (black-on-black and white-on-white), and people.

With more information specific for digital photographers, a brand new chapter on equipment, much more information on location lighting, and more on photographing people, this brand new fourth edition will make it clear why this is one of the only recommended books by www.strobist.com.

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Light Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting + Light It, Shoot It, Retouch It: Learn Step by Step How to Go from Empty Studio to Finished Image (Voices That Matter)
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Review

"This is the essential book for learning about how light and lighting works in photography. It is used as the textbook for many college photography studio lighting courses (which is how I discovered it, when taking a studio lighting course at CCSF). Even after taking the class and "mastering" all the exercises, I still re- read this book frequently, and am surprised at little tricks or nuances I never learned before, or learned and then forgot (because that particular thing doesn't come up with most of my photography work)."--CoolTools

"Over the past several years, manufacturers have swamped photographers with a seemingly endless flood of truly amazing gear. New generations of cameras, lighting gear, high-resolution printers, and sophisticated software have revolutionized how photographers work and think. This book provides reader with a comprehensive theory of the nature and principles of light. This 4th edition includes dozens of new photographs and lighting diagrams; new information on how to work with color gels, portable strobes, motion, and more."--Wetpaint.com

"This new edition of the book is based on the behavior of light, and its principles that will not change because the fundamental physics does not. Light: Science & Magic is a book to deal adequately with how light behaves when it reflects from a surface and how the material making the subject determines the appearance of this reflection. This important understanding is not intended to enable photographer to shoot good pictures like those in this book but rather to transfer those images to any subject matter, using any equipment."--NeoPopRealismJournal.com

"I have used the 3rd edition of this book when I teach. The 4th Edition improves on the earlier version and brings one "up-to-date." This is a text I'll continue to recommend. This is a book that all photographers should have in their library."--Lancaster Camera Club.org

"There are numerous photography books available and often it is difficult to make the right choice. 'Light Science and Magic' definitely stands out from the bunch.. This book can get very technical covering scientific end of how light works in all sorts of situations. Do not expect to read this resource like a novel, unless you are like me and thrive on technical end of photography. However the book is not created for photography rocket scientists only. It's designed the way that even complex concepts are illustrated in diagrams that any visual folks can understand easily. 'Light Science and Magic' fourth edition was just released at the end of 2011. All the info is up to date!"--LearnMyShot.com

About the Author

Fil Hunter is a highly respected commercial photographer specializing in still life and special effects photographs for advertising and editorial illustration. During a career spanning over three decades, he has worked for such clients as America Online, US News, Time-Life Books, Life Magazine (27 covers), the National Science Foundation, and National Geographic. He has taught photography at the university level and has served as technical consultant on a number of photographic publications. Mr. Hunter has won the Virginia Professional Photographer's Grand Photographic Award three times.

Steven Biver has over twenty years of experience as a commercial photographer specializing in portraits, still life, photomontage, and digital manipulation. His client list includes DuPont, Johnson & Johnson, Mobil, Newsweek, Conde Nast, and IBM. He has been honored with awards from Communication Arts, Graphis, HOW Magazine, and Adobe, who have also included his work on a Photoshop "extras" disc to inspire other photographers.

Paul Fuqua has worked as an editorial and wildlife photographer for more than thirty-five years. He started his own production company in 1970 and is dedicated to teaching through the use of visuals. Paul has written and produced educational and training material in a variety of fields including law, public safety, history, science, and the environment. For the last ten years he has produced educational material dealing with the natural sciences and the need for global habitat stewardship.

Inside This Book (Learn More)
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
21 reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent foundation of knowledge 29 Oct 2012
By Shirin
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a brilliant book on lighting. The authors have managed to strike a balance between the highly technical and the "too easy". The information presented has to be absorbed and applied. I used this book like a textbook. I made notes and added my own observations. Once you diligently work through the book, the magic does happen :)

I loved the chapters on photographing different types of materials such as glass and metal. It has really increased my confidence as a photographer and has given me the motivation to try new ways of lighting and setups. The knowledge contained in this book can be applied to all types of photography, even macro.

Highly recommended!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for photographic lighting theory (and CGI et al) 29 Oct 2011
By Wordsworth
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is a little redundant reviewing this considering the praise this book has received previously (now in its 4th Edition), as such this version essentially builds upon the previous work with updated information and examples. Consequently, for an overview of various readers experiences and opinions please refer to the 3rd edition (2007) which can be found at: [...]

However, I just wanted to express that in my own opinion through reading the 4th Edition, I feel that this book is utterly astounding in every way! I say this because it deals primarily with 'lighting theory' and its 'application to the photographic process' through countless examples and illustrations of how the diverse lighting techniques covered actually effect the subject matter/composition (i.e. issues/solutions/considerations etc). In this manner, the lessons learned allow you to develop your own 'theoretical tool kit' or 'critical lens' through which to examine and consider a given situation, and thus it is a valuable learning asset as well as an extremely useful reference for difficult lighting situations or even just simply for inspiring you to be more creative with lighting!

Another important point I wished to add, is that because of the creative potential and quality of the theoretical information it contains (i.e. not just pretty portfolio pictures) this book has the potential to reach further than its intended subject (i.e. photography) and become a useful asset for application to other creative areas (lighting for Stage, Film, Art et al) as the fundamentals of lighting knowledge are essential to many subject areas; naturally. However in my case, I am also finding it extremely useful whilst considering how to compose and render scenes in 3D Computer Graphics (i.e. such as Max, Maya, XSI et al) as the information is equally relevant in the context of CGI as it is real life, and as such I simply love this book and am indebted to the authors for introducing it into my life!

*NOTE: The techniques covered in this book focus upon a studio situation (as a teaching method) for considering how light can be manipulated to affect a given subject matter (hence its usefulness to an area such as CGI which relies upon technical scene set-up). Consequently it refers to the use of various tools and equipment typically available in a studio context/scenario (but with the intention that the lessons learned can be applied outside this context also)! As such, if you are only interested in natural lighting techniques and outdoor scenarios then you might think this inappropriate to your requirements - however I would still recommend reading it regardless, because light is still light whether it is inside or outside and as such this is a valuable reference book and a must have for your collection!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - but your head will hurt 30 Oct 2011
By stugit
Format:Paperback
To get the most from it, this book needs to be read from cover to cover before you go back to the areas you are most interested in. In return for this little act of patience, you will learn - a lot! This is a genuine trip into light, as you read, you will re-examine your favourite photographs and see why they are your favourites, you will understand why the lighting worked for some photos and not others - and from this you grow as a photographer as your hit rates sky rockets.

Excellent - well illustrated with good simple explanations.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
This is a good book explaining the effect of lighting on a subject.
I find it very helpful indeen. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Silver Breeze
5.0 out of 5 stars Must have
This is one of those books that EVERY photographer should have on their shelf. It provides information that will always be relevant but may be forgotten every now and then. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Stuart54
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book
I wanted a book that would help me to understand light and to use it in my photography and although I haven't yet finished the book in just the first 5 chapters i feel that my eyes... Read more
Published 1 month ago by FrannyB
4.0 out of 5 stars So good, yet so bad
Great info, but a slog to get through the writing. I'd love something in between this and Scott Kelby's books. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Banana naan
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
very comprehensive.
A little daunting.
Put on one side to read next time I have the opportunity to give it due attention
Published 2 months ago by J C LYNCH
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
Easy to follow and very informative. It explains light and its management very well, you will benefit for a long time after reading it!
Published 3 months ago by Ned
4.0 out of 5 stars Quite an intense read.
A very good book, but quite an intense read. It really goes through every last element of light and lighting. Prompt delivery.
Published 4 months ago by MR JAMES MACFARLANE
5.0 out of 5 stars Light Science and Magic
Well written and easy to understand. Highly recommended to anyone using flash or lights in their photos. Also good for understanding natural lighting settings.
Published 4 months ago by Macster18
5.0 out of 5 stars My veiw
Thiws book is not for the faint harted . a tecnical book, i had to read twice to fully understand it. If you like photography, then this book is for you. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Roger
5.0 out of 5 stars Magic!
Although I am a biologist, I studied physics and chemistry. I understand about laws of reflection and refraction and thought the first part of this book on the nature of light... Read more
Published 5 months ago by R. Murray
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