Light-- science and magic
Photographic lighting is a topic that will never go out of style, no matter how sophisticated cameras and other technology get. Even with the most high-tech gear, photographers still need to put a lot of thought and vision into lighting their photographs in order to get great results. This key skill has the power to dramatically and quickly improve photographs. Light: Science & Magic provides you with a comprehensive theory of the nature and principles of light, with examples and instructions for practical application. Featuring photographs, diagrams, and step-by-step instructions, this book speaks to photographers of varying levels. It provides invaluable information on how to light the most difficult subjects, such as surfaces, metal, glass, liquids, extremes (black-on-black and white-on-white), and portraits. This new edition includes: All new chapter titled "Setting Up Your First Studio"; A revamped and expanded chapter 8, "Making Portraits"; New appendix of reliable photo gear sources; Over 100 new photographs and informational sidebars; Updated information about advances in flash equipment, LED panels, and fluorescent lights. Styles of lighting continue to change, but the nature of light will always remain the same. Once photographers understand the basic physics of lighting, they can apply that knowledge to a broad range of photographic styles. - Back cover.
Stats for nerds
4recommend
6mentions
5people
2017–2022years
83% recommend17% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- A quite technical but fascinating book on lighting and photography: "Light Science & Magic" by Fil Hunter and Paul Fuqua (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/290153.Light)
- This is a good example of why learning from a master is not necessarily a good thing. Liebowitz has no doubt pressed the shutter and fussed over lenses a lot in her her life, but she's at the point where she has transcended those details.
However, as students, we need to learn about those details ourselves so we can cross the chasm and make it over to her side. So for nearly everyone, it would be way better to save some money and just read Light: Science and Magic if they actually want to learn how to take a descent picture.
- For anyone interested in lighting techniques for "difficult" surfaces, including glass, I'd recommend the excellent "Light Science & Magic" by Paul Fuqua & Fill Hunter: https://www.amazon.com/Light-Science-Magic-Introduction-Phot...
- I wanted to second "Light Science and Magic," and also put in a plug for Strobist, which is where I originally heard about this book: http://strobist.blogspot.com
- Light Science & Magic[1] is another fantastic one which has a ton of practical studio lighting in great depth and a good high-level overview of a lot of the physics that drives it(polarizing filters, etc).
[1] https://www.amazon.com/Light-Science-Magic-Introduction-Phot...
- Great resource! (I love the amount of thought the author put into how learners might best grasp the concepts via examples that differ from the typical diagrams.) I only wish it had continued with more complex setups!
As someone interested in how light works for its impact on photography and cinematography, I’d like to find expanded similar resources.
The main one that comes to my mind is "Light: Science and Magic" (978-0415719407) which I own. Another possible learning tool (which I have not yet had a chance to use) is Cine Tracer: https://store.steampowered.com/app/904960/Cine_Tracer/
Any other books, sites, or software that might help one learn how to better understand or shape light?
