Any recommendation for this book... at DVinfo.net

Charles King · December 6th, 2003, 09:59 PM

'Lighting for Digital Video & Television' by John Jackman? Maybe there are better books on lighting. Preferably one with lots of diagrams, pics etc. I always think pics tell a thousand words. Thanks!

Ken Tanaka · December 6th, 2003, 11:16 PM

It's an excellent primer, well worth its modest price. John Jackman is a member and frequent visitor here, so if you have follow-up questions after reading the book he may be able to answer them here (in our "Photo Management" forum).

Charles King · December 7th, 2003, 10:15 AM

Thanks Ken. Does the book offer any pics or diagrams on how to position the lights for the best effect etc?

Aaron Koolen · December 7th, 2003, 01:04 PM

Charles, there are various lighting diagrams in the book explaining the setups to achieve various looks. How to use lights, reflectors, flags etc etc. Along with these are pictures of the results also. There might not be as many as you wish, as the book doesn't tend to have 100 pages on say "lighting a two person scene" but will take you through very practical solutions to problems like:

Lighting interiors of cars, Lighting darkness, a bit on product lighting, setting mood, lighting dark complexions etc. I prefer a book like this as it's very practical and immediately applicable.

Cheers
Aaron

Charles King · December 7th, 2003, 01:31 PM

thanks. I'll go ahead and get it then.

Marco Leavitt · December 7th, 2003, 05:53 PM

I just bought this book and I'm fairly obsessed with it. This book is fantastic. I've been reading non-stop for the last two days.

Barry Gribble · December 7th, 2003, 11:27 PM

Yeah, it is not full of diagrams and it says so, and by the time you are done with it you are glad it wasn't. John touches a lot on very important fundamental issues and answers the questions that you didn't know to ask .... I strongly reccomend it.

Charles King · December 8th, 2003, 02:25 AM

Well it doesn't have to have the entire book filled with diagrams or pics. I just thought it would have some illustrations along with some pics to make things more understandable while reading the text. You must admit, things are so clear when a pic or illustration version is done to show people. I think so. I usually grasp things better this way.

Aaron Koolen · December 8th, 2003, 03:51 AM

Then I think you'll be satisfied with it Charles. It's sort of one of the standard texts that every person and their dog recommend for people new to lighting (Along with audio equivalents like "Producing Great Sound for Digital Video" by Jay Rose).

Is is solid, professional and has wide ranging information. I don't have an extensive library or experience to draw from to say whether it's the best out there or not, but I have found it to be a great source. And I like his writing style ;)

Cheers
Aaron

Charles King · December 8th, 2003, 03:53 AM

Thanks Aaron. I've already made the purchase.

December 6th, 2003, 09:59 PM	#1
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	Any recommendation for this book... 'Lighting for Digital Video & Television' by John Jackman? Maybe there are better books on lighting. Preferably one with lots of diagrams, pics etc. I always think pics tell a thousand words. Thanks! __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

December 6th, 2003, 11:16 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	It's an excellent primer, well worth its modest price. John Jackman is a member and frequent visitor here, so if you have follow-up questions after reading the book he may be able to answer them here (in our "Photo Management" forum). __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

December 7th, 2003, 10:15 AM	#3
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	Thanks Ken. Does the book offer any pics or diagrams on how to position the lights for the best effect etc? __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

December 7th, 2003, 01:04 PM	#4
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Charles, there are various lighting diagrams in the book explaining the setups to achieve various looks. How to use lights, reflectors, flags etc etc. Along with these are pictures of the results also. There might not be as many as you wish, as the book doesn't tend to have 100 pages on say "lighting a two person scene" but will take you through very practical solutions to problems like: Lighting interiors of cars, Lighting darkness, a bit on product lighting, setting mood, lighting dark complexions etc. I prefer a book like this as it's very practical and immediately applicable. Cheers Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

December 7th, 2003, 01:31 PM	#5
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	thanks. I'll go ahead and get it then. __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

December 7th, 2003, 05:53 PM	#6
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	I just bought this book and I'm fairly obsessed with it. This book is fantastic. I've been reading non-stop for the last two days.

December 7th, 2003, 11:27 PM	#7
Barry Gribble Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 817	Yeah, it is not full of diagrams and it says so, and by the time you are done with it you are glad it wasn't. John touches a lot on very important fundamental issues and answers the questions that you didn't know to ask .... I strongly reccomend it.

December 8th, 2003, 02:25 AM	#8
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	Well it doesn't have to have the entire book filled with diagrams or pics. I just thought it would have some illustrations along with some pics to make things more understandable while reading the text. You must admit, things are so clear when a pic or illustration version is done to show people. I think so. I usually grasp things better this way. __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

December 8th, 2003, 03:51 AM	#9
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Then I think you'll be satisfied with it Charles. It's sort of one of the standard texts that every person and their dog recommend for people new to lighting (Along with audio equivalents like "Producing Great Sound for Digital Video" by Jay Rose). Is is solid, professional and has wide ranging information. I don't have an extensive library or experience to draw from to say whether it's the best out there or not, but I have found it to be a great source. And I like his writing style ;) Cheers Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

December 8th, 2003, 03:53 AM	#10
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	Thanks Aaron. I've already made the purchase. __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'