There are many aspects to professional photography: composition, camera angles, exposure, color balance, posing, and lighting— just to name a few. However, while each of these aspects of photography is important in the creation of a professional portrait, lighting presents a special challenge that is part art and part science. When the two come together effectively, the results are stunning; when any one aspect of the recipe falls short, the result is a poor exposure or a downright unflattering look. On the artistic side of the scale, lighting is one of the primary tools for setting the mood of the portrait. It can communicate a sense of bright, airy ease or sharp, dramatic tension—or anything in between. Determining what look is right for the client (and for their intended use of the resulting portraits) is a key decision. From there, the photographer can begin to use light to sculpt the subject’s features, minimizing problem areas or accentuating the subject’s best features through the selection of light modifiers and the positioning of the lights themselves. Moving to the technical side, outdoor lighting present particular challenges—but also some significant advantages. Outdoors, photographers shoot at least partially with natural light. While this is (most of the day) an abundant light source, it is largely out of the control of the photographer. The light can change from moment to moment as clouds pass between the earth and sun. It also changes continually throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky. Since he can’t completely control the light, the photographer must be prepared to adapt his subject’s pose and position to create flattering results with the light as-is. Alternately, the photographer can “tweak” the lighting by augmenting the sunlight with flash or reflectors—or even softening it, using scrim or other diffusers. (Of course, this leaves another major concern: the background. Even if the light on the subject can be perfected, rarely can the photographer also control the light on an area as large as the background—making it a major concern in the process of posing and lighting.) So, given all this, why would any photographer choose to make portraits outside? One advantage is that the lighting and scenes are free—making outdoor photography a great starting point for those entering the field. Even established studios, however, have found that clients simply like the natural, timeless look of outdoor portraits. This makes them strong sellers. Additionally, most portrait subjects are more at ease in natural light than when seated in front of bright, noisy studio-flash units—and relaxed subjects translate into better expressions, and better overall portraits. In this book, Smith takes you through the process or lighting outdoor portraits from start to finish, covering both the artistic and technical aspects of achieving success. Short one- or two-page lessons are amply illustrated to guide the reader through each phase. In many cases, before and after images—or image sequences showing variations and alternative approaches—are presented to facilitate learning. Readers are encouraged to have this book with them during practice sessions and work on replicating or refining the provided examples, creating a self-study course in the art of lighting for outdoor portrait photography.

As concern grows over environmental issues and light pollution, this book satisfies a need for a straightforward and accessible guide to the use, design and installation of outdoor lighting. This all-inclusive guide to exterior lighting from the Institution of Lighting Engineers, recognized as the pre-eminent professional source in the UK for authoritative guidance on exterior lighting, provides a comprehensive source of information and advice on all forms of exterior lighting, from floodlighting, buildings and road lighting to elaborate Christmas decorations. Useful to practitioners and non-experts alike, specialists will value the dependable detail on standards and related design, installation and maintenance problems, whilst general professionals can find extensive practical guidance on safety issues, the lighting of hazardous areas and avoiding potential difficulties.

The present book is based on the experience of the author. The experience is mainly the result of years of research, of consulting work, and in participation in policy decision making in many felds, most, but not all, related to outdoor lighting. To some degree, the book represents the preference of the author. The selection of the subjects is based on more than 50 years of experience of what is desirable to know for persons engaged in scientifc research or practical application in the felds of lighting and vision. The subjects deal with a number of fundamental aspects. The theorists must have them at their fngertips, whereas the practical engineers may assume them as known in their daily work. The selection of subjects is based in part by the questions that came to the author over the years, but even more by the preference of the author himself. In this respect, it is a personal book. Thus, it should be stressed that the book is not a ‘handbook’ or even a ‘textbook’; many subjects that commonly are treated in such books are not included here. Not because they lack importance, but because the author feels that they are adequately treated elsewhere. Some relevant works are mentioned in the References. Over the years, the author has been engaged in giving courses on vision and lighting, lately more in particular on Masterclasses on a post-graduate or post-doctorate level.

Shattering the notion that location lighting has to be difficult, inconvenient, or compromised in its quality, this resource provides guidance on how to create unique and personalized images shot in parks, on city streets, at sports arenas, in workplaces, or in a client’s home. With an overview of equipment and a discussion on the essential tools for a shoot, this guide walks photographers through the creation of dozens of location images—from casual headshots to full-length, formally posed portraits. With strategies for meeting lighting challenges found outside of the studio—from evaluating existing light to modifying or supplementing light as needed—this book will help photographers shoot confidently by developing a plan for creating professional-quality location portraits.

Outdoor Lighting for Pedestrians shows how outdoor lighting is important for pedestrians’ safety, personal security, and comfort, with major impacts on street, path, and park aesthetics and neighborhood sense of place. Providing clear, basic technical background (accessible to non-engineers), the book focuses especially on planning and policy concerns. It covers the fundamentals of lighting technology; benefits, costs, and possible adverse impacts of lighting enhancements; traditional and innovative approaches; planning and policy documents and practices; aesthetics and placemaking; and technology trends in lighting design. This book is aimed primarily at practicing transportation planners and engineers, generalist urban planners, safety advocates and researchers, and university students. However, lighting designers and other professionals will also find it useful. It considers how lighting can be coordinated with other potential improvements to enhance the pedestrian environment for better walkability.

The all-inclusive guide to exterior lighting from The Institution of Lighting Engineers, the recognized pre-eminent professional source in the UK for authoritative guidance on exterior lighting.