Lighting for nude photography - book review

12/15/2003 05:40:38 AM · #1

I recently ordered about 6 books from Amazon, the first has just arrived.

This one:

Lighting for nude photography

//www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/2880465710/qid=1071484165/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-5086251-8607217?v=glance&s=books

I can not recommend this book highly enough. It is soft cover but has the feel of a coffee table hard cover. Probably 30cm x 30 cm (1' x 1') and 160 pages.

The photography is stupendous, reminds me of the earlier "Black & White" magasines.

This is mostly b&w but with some colour. It covers 75 (at a guess) or so beautiful pictures of nudes, under a multitude of different lighting conditions, from high contrast studio, to shooting models in front of windows, to water, you name it.

The photos alone are worth the $24 (I think it was)

BEST OF ALL there is then a diagram showing how the lighting for the shot was set up, and various comments, tips and tricks etc, for each shot.

This really is a must get for anyone into nude photography, amateur or professional who maybe needs a little more experience.

If enough people are interested I will scan and put up one example of how it is presented (as this is legal within copyright).

I have quite a few photography books, mostly the glossy examples of great shots type, but I think this one has to be my new favourite.

If any of the other books are any good I'll give them a quick write up as I get them.

Message edited by author 2003-12-15 05:43:24.

12/15/2003 05:51:58 AM · #2

Thanks Simon. I just ordered it too :)

Anastasia

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

12/15/2003 08:30:29 AM · #3

HURRAY!!!! My hubby bought some books!!! :-)

vadvirag

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/15/2003 08:41:11 AM · #4

Mmmm... sounds good, I will tell Wickey he should buy it. :-) I would learn a lot from it, he would like the photos for sure. :-)

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/15/2003 09:31:32 AM · #5

Originally posted by Anastasia:

HURRAY!!!! My hubby bought some books!!! :-)

Well I guess that surprise is down the drain now :(

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

12/15/2003 09:40:31 AM · #6

What a great idea. This should be done more often ... book reviews. Very good.

12/15/2003 05:22:15 PM · #7

Oops het Gary, have to buy Nasti something esle from Santa now ;) Would be great if you pair posted back with what you think of the book, double check that it is not just me thinking it is fantastic as I have so much still to learn.

Now ..... where shall I go model hunting?

Yup, I agree Jacko. I ordered a heap and as they were from Amazon I have had to cross my fingers and hope. The reviews there are often pretty hopeless as you'll find 2 or three, one saying it's the best book ever, the other trashing it, and a thrid writing about a completely different book.

Could even be a decent idea for a new forum group.

Message edited by author 2003-12-15 17:25:23.

01/07/2004 02:05:18 AM · #8

We just received the book yesterday Simon. It looks pretty good, although I haven't been allowed to look at it yet cos Nasti has been keeping it to herself the whole time :)

01/07/2004 04:32:45 AM · #9

Errrr, oops, sorry Kiwi, I have accidentally misled you slightly ....

I ordered 5 books, came in stages over the last few weeks. Literally today the final one arrived, again from Amazon .....

Lighting the nude:

//www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/2880467209/qid=1073467691//ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i0_xgl14/002-3523787-9948028?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

It's the same general format as the earlier book I was in love with. The difference is it is a hardback (yeah, nice but big deal) but importantly has 400 pages, so maybe 200 examples.

Same general format as that other book, and they would go hand in hand.

However, having now got the second book it is superior to the first, so, errrr, sowwy ;)

Seriously, if you like the first you have to get this one, it goes in greater detail and has far more examples, broken into topics such as:

Classical
Semi-domestic nude
Males and couples
Symbols and experiments
Erotica
Erotic fantasy
Accessories and props
Romantic look
Poses
Hair and makeup
Dressing up
etc etc etc

Far more covered. Lighting placement diagrams etc are basically similar, but many many more examples.

Let me know how you go with the one you have though please, and let me know if you've spotted this post, otherwise I'll PM you on it.

:)

Simon

01/07/2004 04:42:37 AM · #10

You'd make a good salesman wouldn't you Simon :) Get me to buy one book and then tell me there's even a better one, ya rascal!

Okay I believe you and just ordered that one too. By the way I also got this book with the one you recommended last time. It's pretty good too (or so Nasti tells me)

//www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1584280441/qid=1073468373/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-0019777-5053729?v=glance&s=books

01/08/2004 01:47:22 AM · #11

I'm aq hopeless salesman .... except for books i seems ... hmmm, a new career methinks!

Didn;t spot that one, but trust Nasti's views, will add it to my wish list.

I have the other couple of books to look through yet, will post if they are worth getting.

You'll not regret the new one, especially if you like the general format of the one you just got :)