This classic book on available light photography is back, thoroughly updated for digital photography and, for the first time, is packed with stunning, full color images throughout. Creating great images under less-than-ideal lighting conditions is one of the most difficult, yet rewarding, experiences in photography. Challenge yourself, and with this book by your side you won't be disappointed. Photography expert Joe Farace and Pulitzer Prize winner Barry Staver use real-world examples of their own images to give you invaluable advice on how to get the shot right the first time. From practical tips, such as how to deal with inclement weather while shooting outdoors, to detailed information about getting great shots at your cousin's or your client's wedding, to brand new chapters on noise and white balance, you'll find everything that you need to turn your ordinary night and low-light shots into masterful works of art.
*Chapters on digital noise, white balance, and RAW image file capture give photographers all of the information they need to get successful available light shots
*Case studies and full color images made for real-world assignments provide inspiration for the reader to challenge their abilities
*A brand new chapter covering available light photography at weddings helps the family shooter or aspiring pro improve their skills
Author(s): Joe Farace, Barry Staver
Edition: 2
Publisher: Focal Press
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 240
Better Available Light Digital Photography
Copyright page
Contents
Introduction
The “Gasp Factor”
This one’s for you
It’s all about the photographs
What’s new
Chapter 1: What is available light?
The Golden Hour
Zap!
Weather tips from Barry
Light is light
What is EXIF and what is it good for?
Artificial light
Painting with light
Artificial natural light
The Philadelphia Story
Out of the past: film noir
Moulin Rouge!
Flash in the pan
Chapter 2: Basic exposure
The age of Aquarius
Light and color
Meet the histogram
The perfect exposure
Really available light
Creating high dynamic range images
HDR in Photoshop
Other HDR software
HDR files from scanned film
What does it all mean?
Chapter 3: Digital noise: What it is and how to deal with it
Noise comes from many sources
Chip size vs. noise
Shutter speed vs. ISO speed
Do a noise test
Built-in noise suppression
Noise-reduction software
Got noise?
Picture code
Keepin’ it neat
Visual infinity
Applied Science Fiction
The Imaging Factory
Stoic STOIK
Noise in motion
Taking action against noise
Noise in print
Our take on noise
Chapter 4: White balance techniques
Light is light?
Real-world color balance
AWB: color-temperature range of approximately 4000–8000 K
Daylight: approximately 5200 K
Shade: approximately 8000 K
Cloudy: approximately 6000 K
Fluorescent light
Tungsten light: approximately 3200 K
Flash: approximately 5400 K
Manual
Facing lighting challenges indoors
On location
Black and white?
In-camera monochrome color effects
No more film storage
Chapter 5: Fast lenses
Zoom vs. prime lenses
Case study: Canon’s 85 mm f/1.2 L lens
One more time, boys
Image-stabilization lenses
Case study: fun in Acapulco
In-body stabilization
Does it matter?
What about depth of field?
Chapter 6: Tripods and other camera supports
Standing on three legs
It’s made of what?
Carbon-fiber choices
Legs and feet
Heads and columns
The tripod bottom line
Monopods
Panorama heads
Alternate supports
Chapter 7: Available light photography at weddings
The new wedding photography
New technology = new opportunities
Wedding-day coverage
Off to the reception
Chapter 8: RAW-image-file capture
Paper or plastic?
What’s behind door no. 1
Making the decision
Pros and cons
Digital film?
RAW software
Adobe Camera Raw
Workflow: pictures, you’ve got pictures
Sort ’em out
Did somebody say distribution?
Embed copyright with your files
Glossary
Index
