Earnest Allison. - Lighting for Product Photography: The Digital Photographers Step-By-Step Guide to Sculpting with Light

This book is dedicated to all the photographers who take time to learn lighting through reading or attending workshops that empower them to create photographs of high quality. And to my children, Stephanie and Tyler, who have given so much love, patience, and support throughout my photographic journeys. A special tribute to my long-time friend Lynn Russell, who was instrumental in the start of this book. I wish you could have seen the fruits of our labor, my dear friend. Rest in peace.

Copyright 2013 by Allison Earnest.

All rights reserved.

All photographs by the author unless otherwise noted.

Sculpting with Light is a registered trademark of Allison Earnest.

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: Sally Jarzab, John S. Loder, Carey A. Miller

Business Manager: Adam Richards

Marketing, Sales, and Promotion Manager: Kate Neaverth

Warehouse and Fulfillment Manager: Roger Singo

ISBN-13: 978-1-60895-544-2

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012936516

Printed in The United States of America.

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without prior written consent from the publisher.

Notice of Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is based on the authors experience and opinions. The author and publisher will not be held liable for the use or misuse of the information in this book.

I t is Thanksgiving Day, and I am feeling grateful for all the opportunities that have been possible throughout my photographic career. I am thankful for my children, my family, and my friends; without their unconditional and gracious support, this book would not have been possible. There are many people to thank; if I forget to mention you personally, know that you are in my heart.

Id like to thank my mentors, Don Jones and Scott R. Stevens. Without your countless hours of advice, laughter, and encouragement, aspiring photographers would not be reading this book.

Thanks to my dad, who taught me to maintain a strong character and follow through, and to my mom, who taught me to follow my dreams.

Special thanks to my long-time friends who appear below in no particular order of importance. All of you are equally important in my life, and I thank you for your friendship, love, and support: Connie and Carl Nink; Clay Earnest; Eileen and Mark Detka; Dan and Diane Hagmaier (for the beautiful graphics on all the set scenes); Dave Black; Lynn Russell; Joe Adams; Ty Nav; Jolene Davis; Mary Abeita; Leslie Abeyta; Doug, Kathy and Zach Kopacz; Michael Johnson; Steve Schwen; Alena Watters; Heather Cooksie; Dave Howard; Jim Stabler; Craig and Anna Hunt, Jeff Cable; Bob Ray; Ila Reinstein; Steve Hixon; Beverly Stutz; Will Jones; Jerry Ward; Mark Kemper; Elzabeth Mitkish (EAM Creative, Inc); Matt at Vodka 14; Hitomi and Sandy from Dita; Gabriel Grier; Alice Miller; David Mecey; Mike Corrado; Yvonne Merkle; Jim VanNamee; Marion Crocker; John Weidler and Emma (The Portrait Lab); Peter Geller and Uli (Sunbounce); Mark Mather, Larry Carney, and Christian Lutz (Hensel Germany and USA), whose generosity, kindness, and support is unsurpassed.

Thank you to all the companies who graciously supported me throughout the book: Backdrop Outlet, Westcott, Manfrotto, MAC Group, Advantage Gripware, Chimera, Phase One, Sekonic, LumiQuest, ExpoImaging, and Lexar.

A special group of people deserve recognition. Thank you to the photography department and art directors from Current, Lillian Vernon, and Paper Direct, who taught me so much about lighting products, art direction, and styling products. Your generosity and giving nature is why this book is on the shelves. Big thanks to Reg, Krissy, Johnny, Marsha, James, Sue, Alicia, and Casey Chinn for welcoming me into your family and teaching me the wonderful world of catalog photography. The time I spent at Current, Inc. was an invaluable educationfun, challenging, and wonderful!

I would also like to thank my two models who appear in the book: Amanda Enloe and Jeremy R. Vasquez. Thank you for your patience and willingness to work around my crazy schedule and shoot at a moments notice. Thank you for your friendship and kindness.

A special thanks to Thom Harrop, with whom I worked many years ago at NASA. Thank you for accepting the job of editor and technical editor of this book. Your input, expert advice, support, and friendship have been invaluable.

Last but not least, thank you to Amherst Media for giving me great opportunities to help educate aspiring photographers.

Allison started her career twenty-six years ago working as a photographer for NASA, where she documented space shuttle landings and experimental aircraft for NASA/Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California. She also worked as a medical/advertising photographer at Centinela Hospital, the former hospital of the Lakers, Kings, and Dodgers.

Photograph by Bob Ray.

Many of Allisons photographs have appeared in magazines and journals. Two of her fashion/people images were nominated, two years in a row, at the Black & White Spider awards. Currently, she is a Pro Contributor for Lexar Media and writes articles for PPA Magazine.

Allison holds a BS in Business Management from the University of Maryland. She is essentially a self-taught photographer and credits her success to countless mentors who have, throughout the years, graciously shared their knowledge and talent. Ms. Earnest believes in continuing education and is currently teaching her Sculpting with Light lighting techniques at art schools, universities, and lighting workshops to aspiring photographers throughout the United States.