Light: Science and Magic – Book Review

I’ve reserved copies of the recommended reading material through my local my library, and it’s been interesting reading some of the books. This one was a long time in arriving and I only got to keep it for 3 weeks; it was already reserved by another user before I could even renew it once. I was sceptical about this book having been left very disappointed with ‘The Photograph as Contemporary Art’, which I intend to also review.

This book has been a revelation for me.

It starts with a not-too-complex introduction to the physics of light, describing its’ scientific characteristics. I found this approach quite unusual, as most books on photographic lighting I’ve come across have never tackled light in this way. I was intrigued by the author’s strategy, and quickly realised this was something special. After a brief explanation of the sensitivity to light of camera sensors vs the human eye, he describes light according to photographers.

This includes a photographer’s use of terms such as brightness, colour and contrast. He then moves on to Light vs Lighting and elegantly describes the variables that affect the subject being lit. He covers reflection of light, and what he terms ‘the family of angles’. This term underpins much of the excellent practical ways that subjects are lit, with detailed coverage on lighting different types of surfaces. He deals at length with metal, which poses unique challenges when it comes to lighting.

He moves onto portrait lighting and manages to describe this in some of the best ways that I have come across. Throughout the book he has a lighthearted, friendly approach to describing stuff that has not always been tackled in the most engaging way. I’ve included a link to a tutorial on portrait lighting that I found to be hard to grasp. Another decent lighting tutor I’ve come across is Neil Van Niekerk, a South African commercial and wedding photographer. Apparently Strobist, the well known lighting blog, are also a fan of this book, so I’ve included their review of the Third Edition.

In summary, this is probably one of the best introductions on lighting currently available. Unfortunately the principle author passed away late last year, so I don’t know if another edition will be published. However, I would highly recommend this title and intend to purchase a copy.

Hunter, Fil et al, (2009). Light: Science and Magic. An Introduction to Photographic Lighting, Focal Press.

Click to access PBase.pdf

http://strobist.blogspot.co.uk/2007/04/get-creative-with-little-light-s-and-m.html?m=1

 

Response to Assignment One feedback

I must say I am really struggling with a few things blog related at the moment! I can’t for the life of me figure out how to change my menu layout so I have a drop down system. This is taking up far more time than necessary! Anyway, I’m hoping that by posting this feedback, I can move onwards and (hopefully) upwards as far as the course is concerned.

My tutor Helen has provided some much needed and valuable feedback to get an idea of how I’m doing in terms of the assessment criteria. The following I thought were the main take aways from her feedback:

“Encouraging levels of technical ability”.

“Experimentation with a range of visual techniques and devices”.

“Variety of images in different genres”.

“Must improve contextual written work, research documentation and reflections on Learning Log”.

“Minimise post-processing at this stage”.

This was all very encouraging and I am hoping to take this feedback and continue to apply myself in similar manner going forward. Helen thought the strongest contrast was: ‘One/Many’ and the weakest was ‘Still/Moving’. I agree that ‘Still/Moving’ was weak in terms of conveying stillness in the picture with the boat. Although I was aware that this boat is permanently moored, it is something that the viewer would only be aware if told. I had considered going to take some pictures of the ‘living statue’ performers along the Thames in Waterloo. This would’ve been a perfect complement to the Dervish as both are street performers. Shame!

I really need to get some study visits, book reviews and other writing up onto my blog. I’ve completed reading the excellent ‘Light, Science and Magic’, and hope to review it shortly. I think its the best book on lighting I’ve read so I look forward to reviewing it. On the other hand, ‘The Photograph as Contemporary Art’, left me confused and depressed!

As Helen explained in her feedback, critical reading and research will… “provide evidence of improvement of understanding of wider photographic practice”.

So overall, I feel I’ve made a good start to the course, but I really need to increase my blog output so I can continue to make good progress.

Butterfly in Kew Gardens

Many Boris Bikes: I used one of the shots I had taken as part of the focus assignment. The bikes seem perfect to demonstrate many items.

The boat in this picture is permanently anchored in this location so other boats can moor themselves if they need to. I think the black and white also emphasises the static nature of the shot.

This is a Dervish performing in Nama Bay, Egypt. I think the shot encapsulates rotating movement in its purest form!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Focal lengths and different viewpoints

I was using the EF 24-105 lens so I had a good range from widest to telephoto. I decided to use a small building within Victoria Park as my subject.

At 105mm telephoto, I had to stand much further away. The building looks flatter and compressed. Vertical and horizontal lines look more like they should.

At 24mm wide angle, I had to stand much closer to the building to ensure it filled the frame. This results in those parts of the building closest to the lens to look larger. The roof and sides move away from the camera; this is known as foreshortening. The chimney has been partially blocked from view due to foreshortening, and because I had to point the camera upwards. This gives the image more depth, but horizontal and vertical lines slope away from the viewer.