"Tricks of the trade for professional digital photographers"--Cover.

Chris Grey takes readers beyond the basics of lighting and shows them the tricks professionals use to create more visually complex effects. Some of these tricks are complex strategies that rely on a sophisticated understanding of the physics of light, but more are simply inventive solutions that make it surprisingly easy to produce a very sophisticated result. Each chapter teaches one basic technique, explains the concept, demonstrates the set-up step-by-step and reveals the final results. Will appeal to both active professionals and students.

Light, vibrant and malleable, is the greatest tool at the disposal of portrait photographers. In this acclaimed book—with over 50,000 copies in print—Christopher Grey walks you through studio portrait lighting from start to finish. Dozens of image sequences and before/after pairings show you precisely how each change of light position and modifier affects the look of the lighting on the subject. From classic portrait lighting patterns to unexpected but powerful looks, Grey teaches you everything you need to know to control light effectively. Armed with these powerful skills, you’ll be able to create portraits that are more flattering, more marketable, and more creative.

In beauty and glamour photography, nothing creates a mood quite like light and with the many sub-categories of portraiture - Maxim Style, Boudoir, Goth and Fetish, it is important to understand which lighting techniques differentiate one sub-genre from another. In this comprehensive manual, Grey walks readers through the various components of these image types, describing the artistic and technical nuances of each category. Through detailed lighting diagrams, 170 evocative images and easy-to-follow instructions, Grey will inspire readers to broaden their repertoire.

As photography grew as an art form, so did the technology that backed it up. In particular, lighting styles changed to reflect both the advancing technology and the changing social mores of each decade. As fashion and society changed, so did photography. Moving from the 1910s to the 1960s, Christopher Grey walks readers step-by-step through several shoots designed to emulate the lighting styles of each period, providing practical guidance as well as a history of portrait photography.

The core goal of photography is representing subjects that have depth and texture in a medium that inherently lacks both those qualities, and this book shows the best way to rise to that challenge: through the careful application and capture of lighting. It demonstrates how to accentuate or minimize textures, add or subtract highlights, and create or combat shadows to showcase the subjects in the best way and create the illusion of a third dimension in the images. Exploring techniques for lighting portraits, still-life subjects, nature images, and architectural shots, both studio and location lighting are covered in detail. The book teaches photographers how to study their subjectsÑwith all of the textures, colors, shapes, and surfaces they haveÑthen visualize the image as a finished photograph before the photography actually begins. With chapters that thoroughly cover the science of lighting and visualization, photographers can apply that knowledge and successfully create artful images.

What do a dog leash, shower curtains, and mylar gift wrap have in common? They—along with countless other surprising everyday objects—can all be used to construct implements that will help you build your arsenal of photographic tools and accessories without breaking your budget. In this book, seasoned author, lecturer, and commercial and portrait photographer Christopher Grey shows you how to construct a host of light modifiers, from diffusers to gobos to reflectors, to snoots, to cookies; repurpose multiple elements as high-style backdrops and even build some fabulous accessories—from a lens stabilizer for low-light shots (this is where that dog leash will come in handy) to light tents for small product shots. The “hacks” in this book will inspire you to get to work, and they will amp up your creativity, but there’s more. Grey shares his secrets for using your existing lighting equipment to create exquisite effects.