What about the Light? - seeing is Believing

What about the Light? - seeing is Believing
Norman Phillips FSWPP

"…the weakest element in professional photography is lighting technique…"

I have presented over 260 seminars and workshops (and by the time you read this I will have added two more at the Societies' Convention) and written countless articles and nine books in which there has been a dominant theme – Lighting.

The subject has no end and there appears to be an ever-lasting need for information on lighting techniques. Despite all those programmes and writings, not only mine, but others such as Montizambert and none less than the late Monte Zucker, there is a general consensus among leading industry practitioners that the weakest element in professional photography is lighting technique and many blame this weakness on the advent of the digital camera. e using film, even if ratios and exposures are more critical.

The issue with digital is something of a red herring from a technical viewpoint. The influx of countless new ‘professionals’ in photography has created an overwhelming majority with no experience of film technology. Many have jumped into the discipline with the notion that if they shoot enough images one is bound to come good, and if not, there is always Photoshop. But there are two things that cannot be fixed in Photoshop, posing and lighting. I accept that we can mess around with the lighting in post capture but anyone who knows lighting technique will very quickly identify its relative failure and the great waste of time cancels out the value of even a modest improvement. So why not get it right at the time of the exposure?

Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4

What our members say
Why I like the Societies: Inviting and seeks to welcome aspiring professionals - Anthony C
Find out more about the Societies here

Convention testimonials Neil Redfern: Had an amazing time at the Convention! So nice to catch up with friends & make so many new ones. HUGE thank you to @TheSocieties
Find out more about the Convention here

Photo Quote: Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true. Diane Arbus

There are 227 days to get ready for the SWPP Convention and Trade Show at The Hilton London Metropole Hotel ...
which starts on Tuesday 8th January 2013