Lighting for Digital Video and Television

Product Review: Page (1) of 2 - 04/30/03

Lighting for Digital Video and Television Book a great read on many levels By Stephen Schleicher I don?t really get the chance to read as many books as I once did, but when I do, I usually pick a book that I think will be worthwhile. Lighting for Digital Video and Television by John Jackman was my latest read, and it was well worth it.

If you are doing video lighting on most any level this book will be a great reference for you. For the beginner/novice lighting director or DP, this is by far the best lighting book you will find.

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The book is divided into four sections:
Lighting Technology: This section covers how light works, the way our eyes see, and most of the various lighting instruments. There is also a good section on how to calculate power consumption so you do not blow a fuse, cause a fire, electrocute yourself. The section also contains great information on the variety of lighting controls, (scrims, diffusers, dimmers, etc.)

Basic Lighting Techniques: Here you learn how to create depth, set up a basic three point lighting shot, how to use softlights correctly, and even a chapter dedicated to those who have access to a studio and how to light from the grid.

Problem Solving: How to fix potential problems that arise during shoots - like how to remove unwanted hotspots, cast shadows in just the right spot, etc.

Advanced Lighting Setups: Creating a shallow depth of field with DV cameras, establishing mood, lighting exteriors and lighting at night, as well as how to approach product shots.

The book also has a great appendix section that includes how to use a light meter for video, how to read and use a waveform and vectorscope, and a comprehensive listing of light manufacturers.

A lot of the topics addressed in each of these sections is probably not new information for those who have been lighting for a couple of years. In fact, if you have taken lighting courses or read other lighting articles online, a lot of the information will serve as a refresher for you. The good thing is, all of the information is collected into one volume so you can easily go back and check something again later.

For everyone, this book ends up being a quick read. At just over 200 pages, I was able to read through this book in about a day and half. For those new to lighting or those who have been away for some time, it may take longer to absorb the knowledge within, but you will find yourself referencing this book again and again.

If you are a student or an instructor at a college or university that has a media department, it would benefit your course to include the book as part of the reading requirements.

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