Light It, Shoot It, Retouch It: Learn Step by Step How to Go from Empty Studio to Finished Image (Voices That Matter)

This is a very well done, visual, and detailed, book. He shows and tells everything. There are photos for every aspect of the shot, from every angle, including from the ceiling looking down, so you can really envision how the set was constructed, how close the lights were to the model and each other. He shows you the back of the camera, his exact settings including: aperture priority, ISO, f-stop, shutter speed, lens and focal length. He explains, and shows you where he focused his lights, what light modifiers he used, his power settings, and how to adapt that to your lights. On the retouching, he takes you step-by-step through the camera raw and photo process. Each step is accompanied by a supporting photo of the screen, I would say screen grab, but it looks to be higher quality . He includes keyboard shortcuts and explains why he is making a particular adjustment. For instance, he takes the recovery slider to the point where the model's face is properly exposed, but doesn't worry about the reflection on metal, or the light bulbs being blown out. He demonstrates many different photographic/ lighting looks, and they are all very different: * A classic high key beauty shot * An edgy rock-n-roll shot, this one had some cool photoshop techniques I hadn't seen, and am looking forward to trying * A dramatic beauty shot, with lots of contrast and shadows * Three light lens flare. I would call this one a slightly over-exposed with cool image in sunglasses shot. * Ring light with another cool sunglasses effect * 3-light sports setup (masculine edgy lighting) * 1-light full-length fashion shot, to name just a few I like the fact that he explains how you can do this without spending a fortune, and that he includes several male shots, and doesn't limit himself to just polished female model beauty shots. He even includes a separate chapter where he explains how to do all the exact same shots with speedlights. He includes a gear guide that shows the exact tools he used in the book with pictures and descriptions, right up to the adapter rings and transmitters. Kelby salts the book with his usual off the cuff humor, which I enjoy. The book, amazingly, moves very quickly, is an easy read, and will be an excellent reference book. He has the uncanny ability to make everything seem easy. And, if you follow his instructions, it probably will be.

This book uses a style similar to Ansel Adams' book entitled "Examples" in which he shows you the end product and some of the steps and/or thoughts he used to achieve the end product. Kelby does the same, but for a more narrow topic: studio photography of people (models), but representative with multiple styles. He is very consistent for each example showing: a) studio layout of lights, etc.; b) the rationale for using specific light types, modifiers, and their affects; c) the exact names/models of equipment used; d) comments about degree of ease or difficulty; and e) requirement he experienced for touch up and the steps used in Photoshop for doing so. It is not a book for learning Photoshop (far from it). Furthermore, it is not a book on posing nor a comprehensive guide to portrait lighting techniques (e.g., as in Earnest's "Sculpting with Light"). But it is a book that illuminates the steps Kelby took to create 12 or so finished prints). To a certain extent one can use the book as a cookbook, organized by specific objectives (Dramatic Glamour Lighting, Edgy Lighting, Fashion Photography Lighting, and so forth). He gives the reader plenty of practical hints, but little theory. I'm not a professional photographer, but have been active in the field for 40 years or so. I rate myself as strong in composition, technology, landscape photography, but weak in the use of artificial light sources and portrait photography. I love exploring and learning (learning once never to take on a wedding)! Kelby's talent shines in this book, but he stretches it a bit in claiming that one can create the same images with <= $15,000 equipment. Heck, he should market such a package!

Scott Kelby writes in an easy-going, approachable style. I have purchased a few of his books and they are all clear and have a way of simplifying the teaching of what is a complex set of tasks. This book is no different and attempts to go further, showing complete shoots from start to finish. Posing, studio setup, light position, camera settings, a contact sheet from his shoot and finally, a walk through of the Photoshop steps to achieve his final result are all presented in full detail for each shoot. This is the best way for someone new to approach studio shooting and to learn from one of the best. it also offers something for old hands as we never stop learning. Although the book shoots with studio strobes, it keeps the equipment list to a minimum and has a section on how to shoot similar results using speedlites. The book is thorough and well shot itself; there are views from all angles (even above for light placement). For the money, I cannot recommend this book enough.

very good with many good images and drawings explaining well some clever ideas how to shot with light

really very fast even it came from oversea much faster than expected amazon is forcing me to write more words but i dont know what to write

Questo libro segue l'impostazione classica di Scott Kelby: non una trattazione generale ed omnicomprensiva, bensì una serie di casi specifici, descritti per filo e per segno, partendo dallo schema-luci per arrivare alla post-produzione, che rappresenta la parte più consistente del libro. Specialmente quest'ultima parte è ovviamente utile anche al di fuori dalla fotografia in studio. Attenzione che il libro non tratta in modo molto approfondito le tecniche di illuminazione, per quello è molto meglio "Fotografia Digitale" (sopratutto il vol.2), sempre di Kelby.

Me gustó que tuviera especificaciones sobre el acomodo del equipo fotográfico. Sin embargo, esta parte se queda de manera gral y hay mayor enfoque en la parte de edición.

This is an awesome addition to my collection of photography books and a great one in the this series. It isn't too technical and speaks like you're an intelligent adult trying something new. This is important to give you confidence when trying new things with your hobby. I like this entire series. I have already learned a bunch of new things from this book. Highly recommend.