Photography book: Direction & Quality of Light
When Direction and Quality of Light was released in March 2013, it felt like an even bigger achievement than my previous two books. Here I share many of the “aha!” moments which took me years to completely grasp – that at the heart of it, every aspect of photographic lighting is dependent on understanding the direction and quality of light.
I do believe this book can make a difference to your photography. I’m that confident about it.
All the more amazing to see that 2 years later, this book is still bouncing up and down at (or near) the top slot on Amazon for Best Sellers in Photography Lighting. When I took this screen capture today, it was in position #1, although this list does fluctuate daily. It really feels good to see that the book is still popular. And it feels good to see that it is up there with the best authors and photographers.
Over years of maintaining the Tangents blog, and doing numerous workshops and presentations, my “voice” has matured. My photography has improved. With all that combined, I really believe the material in this book is very strong. Essential even.
As I’ve told friends – I wish someone had told me everything that’s in this book, at a much earlier time in my development as a photographer. I feel it would’ve made so much difference to my understanding of the vital element of photography – light!
The book might be at your local bookstore, but it’s definitely available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Neil,
Congratulations on the release of your new book! You always have such great information to share, and I can’t wait to read it!
Hi Neil,
Will you be releasing it in an ebook format such as Kindle?
Regardless of the format looking forward to getting a copy.
John
I have the other two which i have learned so much from. I recently shot my first bat mitzvah using your techniques. Tthe client was very happy with the results and gave me a $200 bonus.
The new book has been ordered. I was going to go to WPPI but instead I will be reading the book and practicing the things i learn. All for a lot less money and more benefit.
Carl
John Ahern,
As with Neil’s previous books, any ebook formats are at the discretion of his publisher. Given that his previous books were converted to Kindle format, this one probably will eventually be converted for the Kindle.
Pre-ordered the moment I saw the twinkle in Neil’s eyes
Congratulations Neil! I just ordered the autographed version!
Thank you to sharing your knowledge!
Juan
When in Polish?
The various translations are entirely up to whatever agreements my publisher arranges with other, non-USA publishers. Completely out of my hands.
Ordered the signed version and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
I hope the shipping to the UK is super fast :)
Congrats Neil! Loved your first book and really learned a tonne about directional light from it and my adventures using the black foamy thingy. ;) Looking forward to this book becoming one of the go-to tomes of the industry as those of us wanting to call ourselves professionals distinguish ourselves with the quality of light we harness. Might have to order an autographed one!
Congratulations on your book! I am a bit of a beginner (have only been shooting for a couple of years) but am completely in love with photography and becoming a better photographer. Considering my experience level, would someone like me benefit from this book?
Kelly and Matias … the presentation I did here at B&H, was based on the material in this book.
Watch it, and see if you have a few of those “aha!” moments, and then decide whether the $20 / $30 is worth it.
And really, in the grand scheme of things, the money spent on an informative book is money well spent, especially because books are so inexpensive.
I have just ordered this book. I can’t wait for it to be released. I expect to learn new things about lighting that will make my role as a wedding photographer easier.
I’m happy. My book just arrived and I immediately begin to fill my brain with new knowledge.
Also, as I did with the other two books, I will write my review on Amazon.
Thanks again Neil.
Neil, thank you again, already ordered it from Amazon! Of course, I would prefer an autographed copy, but live at Brazil…
I really loved your two other books, and am pretty sure I will love this third one. Looking forward to receive it soon!
Greetings from the Land of Thunder Dragon, Bhutan.
My sincere congratulations on bringing out the book. I hope to have it one day. I’ve learnt and picked up so much from your tangent series about off-camera lighting and portrait photography; and in a country that doesn’t even have a single photography club let alone organizations teaching or tutoring wannabe photographers, your site has been a veritable treasure trove of know-hows!
I hope to keep on visiting your site, get inspired and learn along.
Kind regards and best wishes,
Lakey
Congrats, Neil! I can’t wait for my preordered copy from Amazon to arrive! I remember that first workshop I took with you in D.C. many years ago. My photography has improved so much because of that fantastic foundation you laid. I finally SEE the light! :)
Neil,
Just got the book from Amazon. It’s great! There is however, a most unfortunate error in chapter 2.
Whoever did the proof reading allowed the incorrect name “Grand Central Station” to slip past the fact checking and didn’t correct it to “Grand Central Terminal!”
Calling this grand terminus and historic piece of architecture a “station” is about the same as calling one’s wife or girlfriend a “prostitute…” Anyone who’s a true resident of NY or NJ knows this. Someone at the publisher needs a good beating for this error! :-)
Cheers!
Oops. But then, open a browser window to Google, and start typing in: Grand … and then see what it auto-completes to. So I’m not the only one. Ha!
Hi Neil,
I’m reading the book and although much of the material I have seen out there already knew him through the articles you have posted in Tangents, the mere fact of having them all printed and organized in a book easier to follow and understand the ideas contained therein.
On page 19 of the book, explaining the contents of the plate 1-12, the text begins “Molly was lit with a bare flash …” but concludes “… manual off-camera flash with a softbox”.
From an article on Tangents I remember the image of Molly K in front of a large building was lit with direct flash, no softbox.
Thanks Neil because much of the knowledge about photography that I have acquired over the past three years is due to your three books and Tangents.
Alfredo .. you’re correct. There’s a mistake there. It was bare flash. The description with the plate states bare flash .. and then contradicts by saying it was in a softbox. An unfortunate error.
I’ll add it with the errata on the info page about the book.
I’ve nearly finished reading your new book and it certainly filled in some blank spaces for me. The concepts are easier to grasp for me and I am most appreciative of your excellent presentation of this material.
Roberta … I am glad you’re enjoying the book. And if I could ask a small favor … a nice review on Amazon always helps! Thanks.
This is as good a time as any to say “Thanks!”. I have copies of Direction/Quality and Off Camera. Both are well trusted references. I’m one where flash didn’t come naturally. But between the books and reading (and re-reading) much of Planet Neil AND practicing practicing practicing, I can finally say “Ta Da”. Much work to do, but I feel I’m on the right path. Thank you.
At one point, you had mentioned a book “60 Portraits” was in the works. The concept sounded very interesting. No word recently – is that still a viable project or was it shelved?
Fantastic books. Couldn’t recommend them more!
Neil… I just pre-ordered your latest book and can’t wait to get it. I have all of your books so far with this next one completing the collection!
Congratulations Neil. Well deserved. I have all of your books now and am about 3/4 of the way through your last one Lighting and Design for Portrait Photography. Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of information.
Ross
I was reading thru the comments on Amazon and one person had the gall to make a comment about “barely legal model”. I replied back and said who cares if the model is 55 or 13. Sheesh, if that is about all she has to complain about….
Great info in there.