Mastering Lighting & Flash Photography

Richard Bradbury is a working photographer with over thirty years of experience in the business. He shoots for advertising agencies, magazines and direct clients throughout the world. He has earned many creative industry awards and for 2016 was named M.P.A. Creative & Commercial Photographer of the Year and S.W.P.P. Commercial & Advertising Photographer of the Year. In 2017 he received an A.O.P. for Editorial Photographer Of The Year.

• IntroductionChapter 1What is light?Color of lightGolden hourDynamic rangeHard & soft lightHigh-key & low-key photographyInverse square lawChapter 2Choosing the right lightNatural lightReflectorsArtificial continuous lightingFlash lightingLight modifiersProfile: Tony MayChapter 3Natural lightingLandscapes & architectureTiming your shootCompositionPolarizing filterPerfect portraitsProfile: David KilpatrickChapter 4SpeedlightsWhich speedlight?How speedlights work?On-camera lightingDealing with red-eyeTTLSpeedlight techniquesChapter 5StudioTypes of studioHome studioDedicated studio spaceHow big a studio do you need?Studio hireEssential studio equipmentRecommended studio set-upChapter 6PortraitsLooking goodWhat lighting do you need?Choosing a moodWorking with one lightMultiple light set-upsThings to avoidProfile: James MusselwhiteChapter 7Still lifeEquipmentPack shotFlat art copiesJewelryFood & DrinkProfile: Giles ChristopherChapter 8Sets & InteriorsTelling a storyBuilding a studio setWindows & doorwaysUsing color temperature creativelyInteriors on locationProfile: Paul GoddardChapter 9Cars & vehiclesOn locationStudioProfile: Tim WallaceChapter 10Specialist techniquesFlash syncPainting with lightColored lightingSpecialist techniques in practiceChapter 11PostproductionBasic lighting effectsCreating beams of lightAdding a glow to eyesCreating flare effectsGlossaryUseful Web SitesIndexAcknowledments

The author’s wide experience helps in bringing in lots of examples which do their job well in illustrating the capabilities (and pitfalls) involved with any particular light source. Perhaps the most important message that’s communicated is just how much lighting choices affect the look of your photography, and, that they can be an integral part of developing your own photographic style.