Lighting for Digital Video & Television, Second Edition

I am just getting into movie making and was clueless on lighting. This book explains basic lighting as well as different set ups you can use. It also goes over the different names and types of lighting equipment used in the industry. Very useful and easy to understand information. I would highly suggest this book to my friends.

The book covered what I expected and need to know. This is not, in my opinion, a book for beginners; it does assume the reader possesses a fair amount of knowledge and tends to use a lot of jargon and technical terms, particularly regarding the equipment. Nevertheless, I liked and recommend it to those with some background in this subject.

I first became aware of what effect lighting has when I watched a critical review of Casablanca. While the movie was running, at this point the reviewer would point out how lighting accented Ingrid Bergman's cheeks. At that point he would point out how lighting drew your attention to Bergmand and Bogart while dark shadows in the background filled in the image but down played its importance. Over time I began to learn more about lighting as I tried different things (generally photographing industrial equipment). I learned, slowly, that you put a light here to do this, and one over there to do that. I bought a few books on the subject, but I never tied it together. Now here in one volume is the whole story. From types of lights, to where shadows should fall on a models face, from patterns in the room background to doing highlights where and how you want them. The back cover of the book says it's User Level is from Novice to Advanced. That's right. I think everyone will get something useful out of this book.

As a filmmaking beginning to learn the craft, I found this book very helpful. It lays out all the information anyone needs to know to get started or to improve lighting techniques. It covers everything from the basics to more complex theories and methods. The information is laid out very well, not to become too overwhelming to the reader. The Author draws from his own experience and insights to help guide the reader in the right direction. It is a must have for any filmmakers library.

I got this book out of the library to read as a preparation for doing lighting on a low-budget movie I'm planning. Long story short, I devoured the book, then had to renew it so I could read it again and again. People with big expensive lights will love the clear use of big expensive lighting equipment. People who know nothing about lighting (like I did before I got this book) and have no money (like me) will love the low-budget chapter, and specifically the "spit and gaffer's tape" (author's words) list of equipment for those of us without deep pockets.

A good reference book for anyone wanting to improve their lighting. Does not cover newer LED panels but he does cover the basics. Easy to read.

This content of this book is consistent with the "DV Expert series" range, which I would say are aimed at the novice who has discovered that 'automatic' settings don't really work in most situations and want to understand why and how to start taking their abilities up to the intermediate level. There are many books on lighting out there, be it for still photography, stage lighting, etc and they all cover the same basic 3 point lighting principles, however this book builds upon this by showing how certain aspects relate to digital video. It also throws in real world examples of lighting situations likely to be encountered and ways to work with them. I think this is a great book for anyone with a consumer/prosumer video camera and wants to get to grips with subject lighting.

This is an amazing book. The guy is a true pro and explains everything you need to know to get takes that look professional on the first try. The book is really well written and organized. I blows by while you learn all the hows and whys of lighting video. I recomend this to anyone who feels that they are not at the professional level with lighting yet. It will change your life.