Shaping Light ─ Use Light Modifiers to Create Amazing Studio and Location Photographs

Whether shooting portraits or products, skillful lighting can be the difference between a bland snapshot and a stunning, well-defined image. Capturing the ideal photograph requires many technical factors to work in tandem, the most fundamental of which is lighting. While we may take it for granted that light is required to create a photograph, light by itself usually does not produce the style, energy, emotion or feeling that makes a photograph exceptional. It is the way the light has been modified and shaped that gives the photographer the ability to create an image that communicates their feeling about the subject. It’s necessary to understand how light works in order to know how to modify it in the most desirous way.
The goal of this book is to show the effect of modifiers and shapers on the quality of light rather than to discuss the merits of a particular light source. By focusing on the methods to shape light, the photographer is open to improvise in scenarios where they may not have control over the light source. Whether you shoot commercial or portrait photography, this book provides you with the basis for not only successfully, but elegantly shaping light.

While Glenn Rand is best known as a photographic educator he has also produced, taught and written about photography, illustration and crafts. His photographs are in thirty public museum collections in the United States, Europe and Japan and he has exhibit widely. He has published and lectured extensively about photography and digital imaging ranging from commercial aesthetics to the technical fine points lighting. Glenn has authored eleven books including ?Teaching Photography” (2006) ?The Portrait”, (2009) ?Shaping Light” (2013), and contributes regularly to various periodicals. Many of the books have been translated into Chinese, Korean and German language versions.

Glenn has taught and administered in public education, community colleges and universities since 1966. For the past three years he has been associated with Adrian College. In conjunction with these academic roles and consulting he has developed and reorganized several curricula for fine art photography, commercial photography, digital imaging and allied curricula.

He received his Bachelor and Master of Arts from Purdue University with a Doctorate from the University of Cincinnati centering on the Psychology of educational spaces with post-doctoral research as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Michigan.

His consultant clients have included the Eastman Kodak Company, Ford Motor Company, Photo Marketing Association International, the Ministry of Education of Finland as well as many other businesses and several colleges.
Photographer, educator and author, Tim Meyer is passionate about the field of photography. Drawing from 30 years as a professional photographer, he brings experience and sustained energy to his work. Mixing our rich artistic heritage with today’s modern styles, his images enlighten and inspire.

Tim possesses the Professional Photographers of America’s coveted Masters and Craftsman Degrees, and earned an academic Master of Arts Degree and a Master of Fine Arts Degree, both in Fine Art Photography. In addition to numerous one-man exhibitions of his fine art work, his photography has been internationally recognized for its innovative style and technique.

He currently teaches full-time and serves as the Lead Portrait Instructor at Brooks Institute. His nationally acclaimed portrait and wedding studio, Meyer Photography, is managed by his partner in business and life, Dea Meyer.

Tim is honored to be sponsored by H&H Color Lab, Big Folio and Triple Scoop Music. He also speaks and teaches internationally for the MAC Group Pro Educational Team, representing, among others, Sekonic, Pocket Wizard, Profoto and Creative Light product lines.

Tim’s writings on photography and art have been published internationally and his book, The Portrait - Understanding Portrait Photography, co-written with Glenn Rand and published by Rocky Nook, Inc., is available worldwide.

Tim's Credentials

? Master of Fine Arts, Fine Art Photography, Brooks Institute
? Master of Arts, Creative Photography, California State University, Fullerton
? Bachelor of Arts, Communication, California State University, Fullerton
? Master of Photography, Professional Photographers of America
? Craftsman Degree, Professional Photographers of America
? Certified Professional Photographer, Professional Photographers of America