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Neil Van Niekerk
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Direction & Quality of Light: Your Key to Better Portrait Photography Anywhere Paperback – Illustrated, 4 Mar. 2013

by Neil van Niekerk (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 244 ratings
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Providing readers with a study of learning how to turn poorly lit images into finely crafted, masterfully lit photographs, this guidebook instills photographers with the self-confidence to think on their feet and photograph any portrait subject anywhere. Acclaimed photographer Neil van Niekirk presents seven distinctly different lighting scenarios--available light, exposure metering, a touch of flash, bounced on-camera flash, off-camera flash, video light, and hard sunlight--to show readers how to manipulate the direction and quality of light, the subject's and photographer's position, and numerous other variables so as to turn a bad image into a stunning, professional-level portrait. Packed with dozens of instructional, full-color photos, this work also features 10 sample photo sessions, allowing readers the opportunity to see the seven lighting scenarios put to practice.
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  1. Print length
    157 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Amherst Media
  4. Publication date
    4 Mar. 2013
  5. Dimensions
    18.8 x 1.02 x 25.15 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1608955702
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1608955701
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Product description

Review

"This should be a textbook in every beginning photo course and a permanent addition to every shooter's library." --Jim Cornfield, "Rangefinder"

"Explains everything you need to know about properly using a flash to capture the best possible image each and every time." --"Shutterbug" on "On-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography"

About the Author

Neil van Niekerk is a professional photographer and the author "of Off-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Photographers" and "On-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding""and""Portrait Photography." He lives in Wayne, New Jersey.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amherst Media
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 4 Mar. 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 157 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1608955702
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1608955701
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 490 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 18.8 x 1.02 x 25.15 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 244 ratings

About the author

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Neil Van Niekerk

Neil Van Niekerk

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I'm a wedding and portrait photographer based in northern New Jersey, and I also maintain a website for photographers which contains numerous articles on flash photography and various aspects of digital photography.

http://neilvn.com/tangents/

My interest in this wonderful medium started when I was still in high school. That would be in the late 70's, if you're trying to gauge the longevity of my interest in photography.

I am originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, but I emigrated to the USA in 2000. I am now a resident of New Jersey, USA, where I live with my wife and daughter.

I love photography for a variety of reasons. The stimulation and excitement of responding to new situations satisfies both my analytical and creative sides, and I also truly love working with people. I get real pleasure from sharing the happiness with the people that I photograph, and knowing that I'm creating images that will evoke wonderful memories for a lifetime.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
244 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's concepts explained in a concise and easy-to-understand manner, making it a great reference guide for photographers. They appreciate its masterful approach, with one customer noting it provides lots of information generously shared.

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ClarityKnowledge
17 customers mention ‘Clarity’17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book clear and easy to understand, with concise explanations of concepts. They appreciate it as a great reference guide for photographers.

"...set ups, but more importantly (in my opinion) it shows you a host of real life scenarios that the author has worked with in the past and identifies..." Read more

"...Clear speaker, clear ideas, lots of information generously shared. Good spattering of humour so not a dry presentation...." Read more

"...This book is great for the novice photographer moving into portraiture, or for the more advanced photographer who wishes to refresh their skills...." Read more

"Very helpful in understanding the theory on photography." Read more

11 customers mention ‘Knowledge’11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-reasoned, with one customer noting it contains lots of generously shared information.

"...Definitely worth a read if you are interested in improving your photography techniques." Read more

"...Clear speaker, clear ideas, lots of information generously shared. Good spattering of humour so not a dry presentation...." Read more

"...This book gave me a very well-reasoned account of the author's belief in considering the quality and direction of light before pressing the shutter...." Read more

"Great book. Neil is one of the best teachers in the photography world. His book is very precise and well worth buying." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Jon Vincent
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource for photographers
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 July 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I bought this book after reading the authors first book and I was equally impressed. This is not a 'how to' book in the sense that it does not lead you through lighting set ups, but more importantly (in my opinion) it shows you a host of real life scenarios that the author has worked with in the past and identifies the key decisions he made to create the photos you are looking at.
    Definitely worth a read if you are interested in improving your photography techniques.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Part way through the book having enjoyed his YouTube videos a couple of times
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 December 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Part way through the book having enjoyed his YouTube videos a couple of times. Clear speaker, clear ideas, lots of information generously shared. Good spattering of humour so not a dry presentation. Lots of learning, lots to practice!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Photo19
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Lighting Summary
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 May 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Neil V's books are always excellent - engagingly written with the concepts explained in a concise and easy to understand manner. This book is great for the novice photographer moving into portraiture, or for the more advanced photographer who wishes to refresh their skills. The book proceeds from using simple available light on its own through to using your flashgun on camera creatively, and then to off-camera flash photography. Refreshingly, the book enables you to use pretty much any equipment to create these effects, you do not need expensive studio lights or fancy modifiers. Highly recommended.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Dingle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 February 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Very helpful in understanding the theory on photography.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Davey G
    5.0 out of 5 stars NvN knows what he is talking about
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 April 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The book is well made and the illustrations, images and text are of a high quality. Everything is in a good order and the explanations make sense. I love the authors approach to flash photography and having tried his style I know it works. This book is recommended.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Happy user
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very useful book.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 February 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I have been taking photographs for about 5 years. This book gave me a very well-reasoned account of the author's belief in considering the quality and direction of light before pressing the shutter. His advice works in the real world.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Sandeep Thukral
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great book on lighting, repeats items from elsewhere in tutorials / videos
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 July 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The book does indeed talk about direction and quality of light. The examples provided are very relevant to the topics being discussed. The writing is fluid, simple and consistent.

    some of the material (text and photos) can also be seen on this website or on B&H PhotoVideo channel of YouTube.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Liam
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. Neil is one of the best teachers ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 July 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Great book. Neil is one of the best teachers in the photography world. His book is very precise and well worth buying.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Didier Chrétien
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is a masterpiece, so well written and documented!
    Reviewed in France on 15 October 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is the best book I have read about learning the key concepts of lighting a portrait. Plenty of informations and examples of his method and the results are amazing!
    Report
  • Somraj
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beginners Guide to Flash Photography
    Reviewed in India on 5 May 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    It's my first book on flash and light etc, so in no case I stand in a position to compare it with others. The content and flow of the concept in this book is pretty organised. I love the way author described things in detail and explained why and how he did; is pretty good. The pictures used are not extravagant in a sense; that you won't even be thinking to try it own your own. He explained all aspects of Flash photography, starting from direction, quality, intensity of light you get out of these small units, angles distance, even gels and modifiers.
    It's a great book for some one who is like me starting his or her flash photography.
    I have already ordered "One Flash! Great Photography with Just One light" will be in a position to compare once I complete reading that too. One Flash!: Great Photography with Just One Light
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  • Gorka
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!!!
    Reviewed in Spain on 22 July 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    An excellent book that will guide you to the craft of good lighting. It has already helped me to enhance my photographs. Easy to follow,and will clear-cut explanations. No BS, no complicated diagrams, no high-tech jargon...only pics and the thought process of Neil to get there.
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  • Andreas Haack
    5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best book on portait photography out there
    Reviewed in Germany on 28 December 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The author is one of the very few talented photographers and manages to teach you how use available light as well as flash light to create effortlessly stunning photos. He give many examples on how lighting results in bad and good results.
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  • Patrick Perdu
    5.0 out of 5 stars So much better than other hyped books.
    Reviewed in the United States on 6 May 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This small book (160 pages) deals with lighting for the portrait in all its aspects.
    No posing techniques here, the book title is pretty accurate - It is all about light: available light vs. flash light, light modifiers, light measurement, indoor vs. outdoor light, on camera vs. off camera flash.

    No grand unifying theory of what makes a good picture here (phew!) but great pictures with how and why they were lit the way they were. There are regularly pull-back shots showing the setup. The first two chapters even have a few photos labeled "BAD!" and why, something I would like to see more as one learns more from mistakes than from success and it is less painful to learn from other people's mistakes, even when they are voluntary to make a point.

    What's great with this book is that it deals with the technical aspects without making them painful. The downside of course is that the reader is supposed to be at least somewhat knowledgeable in photography - this is not a book for the complete beginner.

    In a way I find it is quite complementary with the Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers that details all the variants of all the poses and lighting diagrams. The master lighting guide is essentially studio while the direction and quality of light deals with on-location including some wedding or engagement pictures but all in all they go well together.

    What does not hurt, it is easy and friendly to read and it makes a decent coffee table book.
    To me a solid four-stars-and-a-half; two of his earlier books are in my Amazon shopping cart.

    I hope this helps. Don't hesitate to ask me questions in comments.
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