Contents

Foreword, by Gregory Daniel

Introduction

The Essence of Location Lighting

The History

A Consistent Source

About This Book

1. Light Quantity

Exposure Reciprocity

Correct Exposure vs. Appropriate Exposure

Basic Daylight Exposure (The Sunny 16 Rule)

Light Meters

    Reflected Light Meters

    Incident Light Meters

    Do You Even Need a Meter?

    Metering Ambient Light Plus Flash

The Histogram

2. Light Quality

What Is Light Quality?

The Relative Size of the Light Source

The Inverse Square Law

Three-Dimensional Contrast

    True Tonality

    Highlights

    Shadows

3. Diffusing Light

Diffusion Options

Diffusion with Softboxes

Diffusion with Scrims and Panels

    Background Control (Key Shifting)

4. Subtracting Light

Equipment

Subtracting Light with Trees

Subtracting Light with a Porch

Subtracting Light with a Garage Door

5. Reflecting Light

Positioning the Reflector

    Background Control (Key Shifting)

Light Ratios

6. Adding to the Ambient Light

A Balancing Act

    A Happy Accident

    A Consistent Technique

When to Use Additive Lighting

Equipment

Percentage Metering

7. Light Direction

Revealing Contours

Revealing Texture

Metering and Light Direction

The Angle of Incidence Equals the Angle of Reflectance

8. Color Temperature and Light

Basics and Presets

More Refined Color

Postproduction

9. Location Portrait Settings

In the Sun

    Turn Them Away from the Sun

    Shoot Later in the Day

Window Light

    Indirect Sunlight

    The Distance of the Subject to the Window

    Camera, Subject, and Window Angles

    The Background

Family Portraits in the Client’s Home

    Move Things—Carefully!

    Planning

    Lighting

    Light From Outside

    Don’t Ignore Outdoor Options

    A Final Tip

Conclusion

Index