I need a different kind of lighting book!

[Lee Saxon]

I've searched here (and other forums) for books on lighting and cinematography, and most of what I've found has been theory-based "this is what a key light is. three point lighting means..." type books.

As a still photographer I'm already comfortable with the theory stuff, but I'm not familiar with the 500052 kinds of continuous lights because in still photography there's just the one type of strobe.

So I need a hardware or technical introduction to fresnel, hid, hmi, led, light pad, soft focus, flood, flourescent, tungsten, etc etc etc that doesn't waste much time on "key light means..."

Any suggestions?

 

[David Mullen ASC]

Take a look at "Professional Lighting Handbook" by Carlson

http://www.amazon.com/Professional-...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231998054&sr=1-1

 

[Roberto Lequeux]

I don't know as much as others on the subject, but I really liked "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook" and it covers what you are looking for in great detail

 

[Rob Castiglione]

This is a terrific book:

"Film Lighting - Talks with Hollywood's Cinematographers and Gaffers" by Kris Malkiewicz

Might be out of print but easily obtainable second hand for a song.

Rob

 

[Mitch Gross]

For technical, practical knowledge as opposed to theory, I agree with USlatin that the "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook" by Box (aka the Box Book) is the way to go.

 

[Roberto Lequeux]

Very practical, real world oriented indeed. There is tons of stuff worth reading in it beyond the technical description of the different lights, as it goes into using them, working with other crew positions, rigging, adjusting, transport, the list goes on and on... From a who is who on a film set, to a hand signal for bathroom breaks.

It came heavily recommended by several. Of course I am sure it isn't the only good book out there. I also found it an easy read long ago when I knew little to nothing about lighting.

 

[daansteijnen]

Reflections

Reflections

It's not a very technical book, but since we are starting to share good titles here, I recently read:

'Reflections: Twenty-One Cinematographers At Work, Benjamin Bergery'.

I really enjoyed reading that. Bergery also contributes to the American Cinematographer