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Basic Studio Lighting: The Photographer's Complete Guide to Professional Techniquesx$12.99
  (16 reviews)
Best Price: $24.95 $12.99
A guide to mastering the complexities of one of the most important aspects of making a photograph: proper lighting. The author explores how to use equipment properly and suggests ways of utilising colour and light to create special effects. He also discusses exposures, accent lighting, backgrounds, set-ups and many other studio techniques. Such techniques are often illustrated with colour photographs in a step-by-step manner.
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Customer Reviews
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nice pictures but that's all!!!!!
By A2T80NIEYB70VH on 2003-01-26
his pictures shows his techniques he's trying to explain but that's about it. very few picture, and whatever pictures are there are almost a page size. that's how he fills his book big pictures very few words. he doesn't talk about flash setup, what the camera was set at, lens & film used ,and so forth. the title says "..complete guide.." i find that very false. if you're in the store and see this book just look it over then leave it and look at something with more technical stuff. i sold my book after a week. the only thing i liked about the book was a few of the pictures. i find it hard to belive that this person is qualified to write a book nontheless teach photography. he never had formal schooling in photography. i also hate the fact that he pushes hasselblad equipment and their flashes. i'm sure he got a nice pay for advertising their products. i don't use hassy equipment and don't care to. i also think that he could have shown example work in 35mm format since this is what most people all over the work with. overral this book fails!!
Do you want to follow recipes by rote, or learn to cook?
By ADHXMCKVD6XAB on 2003-04-26
This is one of the most inspiring photography books I've read. There are a hundred books about studio lighting that are little more than collections of photos followed by diagrams of the lighting setups. If you're looking for simple ways to duplicate somebody else's photos, this book is not for you. Instead, the author's intent is to make you understand the underlying principles of controlling light. He takes pains not to dictate rules or give formulas, but tries to help you make your own decisions based on your personal taste and the demands of a particular photo.
This book, although it appears superficially simple, puts demands on the reader that many other lighting books do not. Some people would prefer to follow diagrams by rote; I'd much rather develop the mental tools to design my own lighting setups for my own needs, rather than look at the exact placement of lights that somebody else used.
Corbell's explanation of the Chromazone system (for controlling the effects of gelled light on backgrounds) was more than worth the price of the book.
Such a Missed Opportunity
By A1L4APQM1QXPFP on 2005-12-02
There is no question that Tony Corbell takes wonderful photographs. Go to his website at [...] to see for yourself. But, as we've often seen, raw photographic talent more often than not does not translate into teachable talent or competent writing skills.
In `Basic Studio Lighting' Corbell tackles a needed subject, writes in an agreeable fashion and delivers with beautiful examples. Yet one finishes this book, while thankful for the nuggets of valuable information, ultimately disappointed.
Disappointed at the missed opportunity. Corbell might very well have delivered a photographic knockout punch. He could have written the definitive textbook on studio lighting. Instead his book falls into the "out of 144 pages, I picked up three new ideas" category that too often describes photographic instruction books.
How do you possibly write a book on basic studio lighting without a single lighting diagram connected to an individual photograph? Tony Corbell did.
He even knows the importance of conveying that information. Consider, on page 128, Corbell writes "Placement of the separation light is of key importance..." yet no diagrams. As in none.
Didn't early on somebody, anybody (maybe an editor who should have known better) say, `Uh Tony? You might want to diagram those lighting setups, just in case someone might actually want to use your information"? This omission alone takes this book from the keeper category and lands it into the `read once and discard' category.
This book reads like Tony's lectures might sound if they were written down with a slideshow of images behind him, not like a book written from scratch.
Such a missed opportunity.
The best studio lighting book
By A1PN7F7DKJ0L8A on 2002-06-14
This is the best studio lighting book I've read... and I've read a few! It explains theories of light, color and photography techniques in detail, which are essential to the understanding of lighting. This book complemented perfectly the lighting class I was taking, and helped me tremendously.
The explanations are simple enough for all to understand and although it doesn't tell you what to do, it teaches you how to light your subjects, according to the result you are looking for. Obviously, you need to practice using the tools and techniques to truly learn studio lighting. But this book will definitely help you and it's worth every single penny.
Too simple to be considered "complete"
By A2A0QX3Z3WTU8C on 2002-08-22
This book does show you basic lighting techniques. It also goes through all the things almost every other photography book does. If your are looking for original ideas this is not the book. This book cannot spawn creativity because it is far behind the photographic learning curve. The reader should note on this book (and all photography books) that this is a new edition not a new book. This seems to make a huge difference in the quality of photography books because of the learning curve I mentioned. Potrait (fashion, glamour, or anything besides landscape) photos taken two years ago, look out of date because they are behind the curve. How many people want to look at old tired photos? If you are one of them then you don't mind taking old tired photos and shouldn't read a book's review--- just buy the one with the 'coolest' photo on the cover.
- Basic Studio Lighting
By A18DJLB1T7VKOY on 2002-01-20
A must have book for anyone interested in Studio Photography.
Easy to understand book that covers all the basic knowledge in studio lighting, as well as some that even the seasoned photographer will appreciate.
- Want to learn studio lighting ? This is THE BOOK !
By A3QSXAAC5DO6YO on 2005-02-25
I've just bought about 10 top rated studio lighting books. This is the best book I've ever read about studio lighting with much more than basic information.
Tony Corbell explains about all I ever wanted to know about studio lighting: their types (main/key light, fill light, etc); equipment and accessories (and what you get from them); light control (e.g. what happens when you put the light near the subject, etc); measuring light (you will really like to know how to measure an f11.0 key light + f8.0 fill light and all then do it by yourself in all the other situations); one light setup and lighting for deep. Tony Corbell won't give you the fish but you will learn how to go fishing. No photo diagrams and schemas (thank you Mr. Corbell, I didn't want to learn how to copy a lighting schema but did want to learn how to understand them all and how to build my next one) and full of information I've been waiting for. If you want to take the long road do as I did search all lighting books, then search inside this book and also visit the Hasselblad website just to get references on this book and Mr. Corbell work. But if you want to take the short road, just buy it: it's all worthwhile. Oh, just in case you want to take the long road, I could sell you all the other nine books...
- It's not the book the title implies
By AMDCRK7IKC7KV on 2006-11-16
This book should been titled "Studio Lighting Theory". While I appreciate the theory and concepts described in the book, I was looking for BASIC STUDIO LIGHTING instruction, and this book does not deliver. There are many, many nicely lighted portraits and product shots in this book but they are like teasers..."Try and figure out how I lighted this one!" In another review of the book, the reviewer considers the lack of diagrams a plus, but I surely can't see how holding back information can be beneficial.
I suspect, this was just a money grab by the author. A collection of his photographs--most of which he may not even remember the lighting setup used. The book is a bit dated, too, with nothing but film references and no fluorescents even mentioned in the continuous lighting section.
If you are looking for an introduction to studio lighting, this book will disappoint. I suggest looking elsewhere. That's what I'm doing now.
- Good but lacked some details
By A1T317VND72LQ1 on 2002-04-04
I have little experience with studio lighting and bought this book to help me get started. Over all it was very helpful and provided good explanations on general techniques. What it lacked was specific details on setups. It didn't provide enough diagrams for different lighting situations and only provided general information.
- Too simple to be considered "complete"
By A2A0QX3Z3WTU8C on 2002-08-22
This book does show you basic lighting techniques. It also goes through all the things almost every other photography book does. If your are looking for original ideas this is not the book. This book cannot spawn creativity because it is far behind the photographic learning curve. The reader should note on this book (and all photography books) that this is a new edition not a new book. This seems to make a huge difference in the quality of photography books because of the learning curve I mentioned. Potrait (fashion, glamour, or anything besides landscape) photos taken two years ago, look out of date because they are behind the curve. How many people want to look at old tired photos? If you are one of them then you don't mind taking old tired photos and shouldn't read a book's review--- just buy the one with the 'coolest' photo on the cover.
- Great book to learn lighting
By A67NSCCKHZR97 on 2004-02-05
This book is one of the best I've read on learning to light...it doesn't spoon feed you lighting diagrams, it explains the principles of light, why light does what it does and then the author expects you to work with your own lights to see the results for yourself and LEARN to light.Corbell does a super job of explaining different lighting tools...from hot lights to the various types of strobes available, reflectors, scrims and gobos...when to use them and why. The diagrams and photographs are most helpful in explaining the text which is very clearly written. Excellent...I wish I'd bought it ages ago.
- Essential!!!
By A2ORG29PCIFJO5 on 2002-05-10
This book is incredible! Tony puts to rest lighting myths and proves it with his detailed research. I have a personally signed copy of his book and went to his seminar at WPPI. He said the reason he didn't put in specific lighting set-ups is because there are enough lighting recipe books. This book teaches you to think and then act on your own. It made me excited to go out and experiment for myself. I can't help but like the book!
- Very basic book
By A2S1LZOFJLWT9N on 2003-09-17
I made a big mistake buying this bock, I should pay more attention to the reviews, the writer dose not go through details only big pictures with mentioning few general things, there are no satisfying details and diagrams.
- Good book
By A1TL7WDNGVN1GZ on 2007-03-12
I really like it, it's easy to read and good illustrations. good tips on lighting. it's really helping me on my photo technique's and my equipment.
Me gusto, es fácil de leer, y las ilustraciones son muy buenas. Me esta ayudando mucho en mi técnica de fotografia y me da ideas para montar mi estudio
- Fantastic book on studio lighting.
By A1IHDDMC2T6AYO on 2007-05-09
I've read and can appreciate all the reviews that came before this one. This book is NOT a cookbook on lighting. It IS a treatise on understanding how lighting effects photographs and how to best use lighting to define your photographs.
Those reviewers that have complained that the book didn't tell them how to light a given photograph will return to this book for understanding and inspiration once they master the basics.
I've read (and learned from) many photographic lighting books prior to this one and can say this is the finest book I've yet seen. It taught me to understand lighting, rather than simply use lighting.
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