Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Studio Photography

5 Comments

1. 

   Veronika Vents / September 19, 2010

   Review by Veronika Vents for Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Studio Photography
   Rating:
   Kirk has a cool sense of humor. Apparently someone took him to task in a review of his first book for using expensive equipment in a book aimed at beginners. What does he do? He goes to a hardware store, buys a $12 work light and proceeds to do an entire demonstration about light qualities with that light and some tissue paper! The cool thing is that it works. Like a lot of other photographers I started learning about lighting with flashes on Strobist.com but everything is so geared to battery operated lights and “outdoor at twilight” kind of images. I really wanted a source of good information about the kinds of lights professionals use in studios. I found a lot of really good information here. Kirk covers every kind of light from florescent lights to expensive studio flashes. It’s all good information because, even if I can’t afford the best lights right now I can start planning for some of these things when my career blossoms.

   The thing that makes these books (The Minimalist Light Series) fun for me is the way they are written. Kirk has a way with words that makes the whole subject of lighting easy to understand. There are no “carved in stone” formulas or rules. His example photos are not formulaic. The range of different things he lights and talks about makes it more interesting.

   To sum up: If you liked his first book you’ll really like his second book. If you didn’t read the first book don’t worry, it’s not necessary. You’ll quickly learn with this one.

   It’s fun to find a writer who isn’t always serious.

   Reply
2. 

   DigitalProphet / September 19, 2010

   Review by DigitalProphet for Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Studio Photography
   Rating:
   So, before I get started, I have both of Kirk’s book in this series of Minimalist Lighting. Not to mention I follow his work on Flickr, via the strobist group there, and his page is a reflection of the information he provides in his books.

   While I have owned a DSLR for two years now, I spent over a year just taking snap shots, and not getting into the real potential of my camera. I found David Hobby’s blog online, I started with the strobist approach to using my camera, Kirk’s first book about location photography was an early purchase. What he showed in that book made sense and really helped me up the quality of my photos.

   The this year I bought a small studio set up and a month later this book came out. The information he provides makes sense and really helps me for comfortable using the gear. Again, I am not a pro, nor do I know Kirk. This is just a hobby for me and he helps make it more fun. My kids also appreciate it as I do not take as long to get the shot I am wanting.

   The best part is how easy it is to read and how it is easy to relate the information to just doing it.

   Great Book for someone new to the field, easy to read, and for the price it will not break the wallet.

   I highly recommend this for students and people who are just getting into photography.

   Reply
3. 

   John S. Loder / September 19, 2010

   Review by John S. Loder for Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Studio Photography
   Rating:
   I’m a contract copy editor (not a photographer) who had the great good fortune to land this manuscript in near final form for review. What an attractive, well-written, occasionally humorous tome. Nearly all the pictures were taken by the author, and there’s not a clinker in the lot. Mr Tuck is a born educator, not a boring educator. He’s made warm, wonderful use of friends, family and even fruit to demonstrate studio lighting approaches and outcomes from those approaches. He also tells how to select studio space and equipment. There is a ferocious amount of information here well organized, depicted and presented and based on a lot of high quality experience. Enjoy it!

   Reply
4. 

   D. Waiters / September 19, 2010

   Review by D. Waiters for Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Studio Photography
   Rating:
   If you like doing a lot with less then you should really enjoy this book.
   
   Sometimes we think we need more to do more and here are examples of how to do more with alot less. One of the best things about Kirk’s book, is the explanations. I read this book and a group of us got together and recreated the shots. Now the others had go buy their own copy.

   Get the book TRY the stuff right out of the box, don’t wait and then do it.

   Reply
5. 

   K. Mosmen / September 19, 2010

   Review by K. Mosmen for Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Studio Photography
   Rating:
   I have been a fan of Kirk for a while. This book is an excellent resource, with the typical humor found in his writings!

   This is a great book for portraits to product shots. I actaully used things in this book to help shoot a gourmet Pizza restaurants new menu items!

   As someone else mentioned, it’s very reasonably priced and WELL worth the investment. I highly recommend it!

   Reply