BILL HURTER
Amherst Media®
P U B L I S H E R O F P H OTO G R A P H Y B O O K S
MASTER
LIGHTING
GUIDE
for Wedding
Photographers
DEDICATION
The first book I wrote for Amherst Media, Portrait Photographer’s Handbook, was, by far, the hardest. Every word had to be per-
fect. Since my job as an editor prevents me from shooting day to day, I wondered how I could ever illustrate such a book with
great photographs by great photographers. The answer came in the form of a pep talk from Monte Zucker, who died during the
preparation of this, my twentieth book for Amherst Media.
Monte told me that any image he ever made was mine to use if it would help the project. Furthermore, he gave me the for-
mula I needed to entice other world-class photographers to participate in my book projects. With predictable confidence and total
self-assurance, he “guaranteed” others would follow and the ones who didn’t want to participate I’d be able to count on one hand.
He was, of course, right. It was just one more instance of Monte reaching out to help a colleague succeed. That’s what he did
and what he was best at. Without the need for personal acclaim, he has helped innumerable people like myself by giving a part of
himself to help them succeed.
I dedicate this book to my dear friend and mentor, Monte Zucker, without whom, so many of us would have, perhaps, never
found the magic.
Copyright © 2008 by Bill Hurter.
All rights reserved.
Front cover photograph by Mauricio Donelli.
Back cover photograph by Michael Costa.
Published by:
Amherst Media, Inc.
P.O. Box 586
Buffalo, N.Y. 14226
Fax: 716-874-4508
www.AmherstMedia.com
Publisher: Craig Alesse
Senior Editor/Production Manager: Michelle Perkins
Assistant Editor: Barbara A. Lynch-Johnt
Editorial Assistance from: Carey A. Maines
ISBN-13: 978-1-58428-219-8
Library of Congress Control Number: 2007926867
Printed in Korea.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechani-
cal, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without prior written consent from the publisher.
Notice of Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is based on the author’s experience and opinions. The au-
thor and publisher will not be held liable for the use or misuse of the information in this book.
1. ALL ABOUT LIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Simplicity is Essential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Light is Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Photons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
The Behavior of Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Reflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Refraction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Absorption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
The Intensity of Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
The Color of Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Achieving Color Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
2. LIGHTING BASICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Two Primary Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Key Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Fill Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Size of the Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Lighting Ratios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Determining Lighting Ratios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Lighting Ratios and Their Unique Personalities . .19
Metering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
3. CONTROLLING STUDIO LIGHTS IN THE FIELD . . . . .24
Studio Strobe Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Monolights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Power-Pack Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Types of Strobes and Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Barebulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Barn Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Diffusers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Flats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Gobos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Grid Spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Reflectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Parabolic Reflectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Scrims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
...
farral