Chapter 5, "Build Your Own Lighting Kit," examines the key components of putting together a lighting kit. Here you start off with a do-it-yourself kit, a basic purchased kit, an "I can light almost anything" kit, and a studio kit
Chapter 6, "Post-Processing: Making Your Images Really Sing," looks at why you photograph – is it journalism or is it art? Post processing is all about getting the most from your images. This chapter is about working with Adobe Lightroom to bring out the best.
"The Notebook," is the meat and potatoes of Kevin Kubota's Lighting Notebook . It is where you actually get to see how the lighting is accomplished. Presented here are 101 scenarios that you can use to perfect your own skills at lighting. Each scenario is broken down by lighting – natural, artificial, or both — plus the number of recommended assistants (none to three), and the cost of the lighting equipment used ($0 to $2000+).
Each of the setups is two pages in length and contains a description and the shot on the left page and the setup on the right page. The description talks about the shot, the thoughts on the setup and the problems encountered. The setup shows scenes from the shoot, a diagram mapping the lighting setup, the exposure information and the tools used. On some of the shoots there are optional notes for variations.
Kevin Kubota's Lighting Notebook is very well thought-out and easy to read. It spends the right amount of time on background and a well deserved amount on the shoots. Terms are well-defined and everything is clearly laid out and easy to find. Once you get to the notebook, you can just jump to the ones that interest you.
If you want to learn to light like the pros, especially with regard to weddings, senior, and portraiture, then Kevin Kubota's Lighting Notebook is a must-read resource and reference, and so I highly recommend this book.
Article comments