Picture Perfect Lighting: An Innovative Lighting System for…

Roberto Valenzuela: A True Magician of Light
Roberto Valenzuela is to photography what the Masked Magician is to illusion. When in the presence of a stage magician performing tricks, it can be very mind boggling when attempting to comprehend exactly how what one has seen materialize could actually occur in spite of one’s understanding of the laws of physics. So too is the case when viewing photographs created by today’s top photographers of which Mr. Valenzuela is no exception. “How did he do that?” or “How big was the crew?” or even “How much did the lights for that shot cost?” are common thoughts when viewing such photographs. In “Picture Perfect Lighting: An Innovative Lighting System for Photographing People” any cloud of mystery that may have existed is lifted, and the “secrets” are revealed.Over the course of 333+ pages, Mr. Valenzuela reveals several core truths. Not only does he prove that a large crew is NOT needed, nor the most expensive DSLR on the market, or even the most high end lighting equipment, he shows that anyone with a passion for practicing their photographic skills coupled with knowledge of the behavior of light can create professional quality photographs. Early on, he takes the reader through the five behaviors of light with an intuitive explanation of each and easily understood examples. He moves on to explain the process he uses to scout locations with nothing more than a camera and knowledge of light through a system called the “circumstantial light elements.” Through the many behind-the-scenes examples shown in the book and the insistence of the author, it becomes very clear that the quality of the light, not the aesthetics of the location are what make a photograph beautiful.About halfway through the book, he starts to introduce light modifiers and different techniques readers can use to boost the light in their photos. Objects such as reflectors and speed lights are introduced in light of what he calls the “lighting benchmark test.” The basic idea of this philosophy is, in the paraphrased words of the author, “adjusting the light to your camera’s settings, not the other way around.” He first takes the reader through multiple examples of locations that either pass or fail this test with detailed explanations as to why. However, when the natural light is too weak, something more is needed to help boost the light as opposed to raising the camera’s ISO in order to maintain the cleanest possible files. Mr. Valenzuela offers many tips and tricks beyond the conventional for introducing each modifier into the scene. There is even an entire chapter devoted to becoming familiar with one’s flash unit(s) through hands on exercises that readers can practice over and over again.The book concludes with several examples of photographs and why each one is successful. By the time the reader gets to this chapter, all of the previous principles taught in the book will have become so ingrained that he or she will be able to recognize why each location has elicited such beautiful light, hence a successful photograph. Such as in the case of the Masked Magician revealing the secrets of his illusions with relatively simple explanations, the reader of this book will no longer be left asking themselves “how?” but rather, “why didn’t I think of that?”

A fantastic book to round out Roberto’s Picture Perfect series
A fantastic book to round out Roberto’s Picture Perfect series. Great in-depth explanations and examples. I’ve only had a few minutes to glance through his book, and can hardly wait to really dig into the material. Lighting is some that can always be improved upon and there is always something new to learn! I first discovered Roberto’s series as required reading material in college as a photography major, and have been hooked on him ever since. He is a great teacher! And even better as a live speaker…he was my favorite speaker at Imaging USA this year. Highly recommend the purchase of not just Picture Perfect Lighting, but also his other two in the series on practice and posing.

Well worth reading from cover to cover
No matter your level of expertise there will be something in it to motivate and educate. One of the few photography books that held my attention troughout.

This is an amazing book very helpful and will.advance your understanding of light and how to use it to achieve beautiful results

Ce livre est un Must Have pour tout photographe amateur ou professionnel.Roberto Valenzuela présente ce concept si abstrait qu’est la lecture de la lumière de manière simple et efficace pour tout à chacun.Livre rédigé en Anglais des US mais accessible pour ceux qui ont comme moi un niveau de base scolaire et qui connaissent le champ lexical de la photo grâce à diverses sources et tutos.—-This book is a must have for every newbie or even pro photographer.Roberto Valenzuela present this abstract concept of light reading with a easy and concrete method.I Learned so much.