nycfirefighter wrote:
I must be an abject idiot but I have this book and it is way too complicated for me. I understand what is trying to be accomplished -- explanation of how light behaves in lighting products -- but I cannot grasp the concepts and explanations.
Are you just reading it, or are you reading a section and then trying to duplicate what was covered? It can be a bit hard to comprehend if you're just reading it.
...Maybe someone can recommend another book I can look at (being written for a 4 year old and in crayon is ok).
The Digital Photography Book (Volumes 1 & 2) by Scott Kelby
Mastering Flash Photography by Susan McCartney
nycfirefighter wrote:
Thanks guys. I am just reading it; maybe that's a problem.
I heard some good things about the Scott Kelby book.
Well, the first few pages of the book tell you to NOT just read it, but do all of the examples if possible. That statement right there is how meaningful, helpful, and straight forward the book is.
I got hold of the second edition in school, and thought it great. Saw the 3rd edition at the book store and bought it for the new content and to support the cause . . . but the new content is so very basic, and not up to the standards of the rest of the book. There's nothing wrong with the 3rd edition, but it's not a worthwhile upgrade for those who have taken to heart the earlier versions of it.
Any recommendations on whether this is a book that would translate well to a kindle format or one that needs a physical copy to be affective? (ie: grayscale pics only, some changes in format)
Strecker, could you elaborate? I think the color version accomplishes a lot with the images it uses, and the information it has, but I have no second edition to compare to
I will say that, if the third edition is lacking in info, I can only imagine the second edition must be some compendium of knowledge.
PShizzy wrote:
...I will say that, if the third edition is lacking in info, I can only imagine the second edition must be some compendium of knowledge.
It's not that the 3rd edition is lacking info, it's that the additional info it has over the second edition probably isn't enough to warrant owners of the 2nd edition buying it...unless their older editons are so dog eared and time worn that they need to be upgraded anyway.
BrianO wrote:
It's not that the 3rd edition is lacking info, it's that the additional info it has over the second edition probably isn't enough to warrant owners of the 2nd edition buying it...unless their older editons are so dog eared and time worn that they need to be upgraded anyway.
+1
If you don't have either, get the 3rd. Not that you will get tons more information, but at least a little and the color pages help to visualize things better.....and I only make this statement because we see in color.....
.......now that I think about it things related to photography are often better learned in black and white so one can concentrate on the light alone. hmmmmmmmmm
Thanks for clearing that up guys, I totally misread that. I'm VERY glad I have the third edition. I consider it a must have book and am glad to have read through it a few times over. I actually find it fascinating.
This book is a joke. A friend bought it for me for xmas. I read a few random sections here and there, flipped through the rest, and saw nothing of value. This is more of a textbook for high school kids than anything else, or if you need to learn basic and old studio techniques.
stickonatree wrote:
This book is a joke. A friend bought it for me for xmas. I read a few random sections here and there, flipped through the rest, and saw nothing of value. This is more of a textbook for high school kids than anything else, or if you need to learn basic and old studio techniques.
I just ordered it. Hopefully it really isn't at a "high school" level. I'd hate for the info to go over my head.
I just wanted to bring back this thread I started, as I have now been referring to this text book (Third Edition) for lighting glass. If your interested in my specific project, you will find my questions here:
I have a specific question, as it relates to the information provided in this book. "Bright" and "Dark" field lighting setups for lighting glass. They both worked very well for me, and the devil was in the details such as keeping the background the same size as my viewfinder, and moving the subject slightly back and forth to manipulate edge definition, etc.
My question is... that I now want to use this new knowledge of lighting, to create a specific shot for my portfolio... Here is the example of what I want to create: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kylemay/2041260277/
Question is this.. I will create a "Bright Field" setup using one light as I have done for just the glass itself.. now I want to illuminate the "contents" of the glass (liquid & olive in this case) without any distractions, and without ruining my light setup for the glass.
Do I simply add say a 580II directly overhead at a low power say... 1/64 with a snoot? I am wondering what others have done to accomplish this type of result!
