Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers

by Christopher Grey

Time-tested lighting strategies that will improve the quality of a portrait are detailed in this book for beginning photographers. Terminology used by industry pros is explained, the equipment needed to create professional results is outlined, and the unique role that each element of the lighting setup plays in the studio is explored. Photographers learn how color, direction, form, and contrast affect the final portrait. The concise text, photo examples, and lighting diagrams enable photographers to easily achieve traditional lighting styles that have been the basis of good portraiture since the advent of the art.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Reference

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

This is the listing for the photographer. For the novelist, see Christopher Peter Grey. For the management author see Christopher John Grey.

Reviews

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begins with a section on lighting equipment and the basic techniques (loop, butterfly lighting, etc). The second part, Portrait Lighting Lessons are specific lighting scenarios such as high key lighting and simulating sunlight as well as lighting for specific client needs such as a business portrait. I'm hoping to try out the double key lighting technique he goes through. I was also happy to see lighting for dark skin tones with light clothing and light skin tones with dark clothing - that this one is not as hard as it gets made out to be. This is simply a great all around lighting book.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Speaking as an advanced photographer but relatively neophyte to studio portraiture, this book is exactly what I needed. It gives you quite a few “typical” lighting scenarios, with very specific instructions of how to achieve them. It’s kind of a course in studio portrait lighting. To be honest, I found it almost as useful as the $300 course I took at a nationally renowned art/design school.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christopher Grey delivers in this fine volume on lighting techniques for portraits. One of the few portrait photography books that provides consistent lighting diagrams for many of the photos. An ideal reference book for the amateur to professional photographer.

[Allisonperkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid overview of various portrait lighting techniques. The sample photos and his talk on ratios is some of the best I've read on the topic. While there is nothing new and "edgy" here, this book covers all the basic setups for portraiture really well.

Highly recommended as a reference

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another very limited book from this publisher. It's a basic book and helpful if you've not done any considered portrait photography before.

[Kathleen Messmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked about this book was the simplicity of the lighting setups and the down to earth way he explains why they're used. Very helpful.

[Robb Christopherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I am getting into studio photography this book is invaluable. Well-written and useful.