Roberto Valenzuela - Picture Perfect Lighting: An Innovative Lighting System for Photographing People

An Innovative Lighting System for Photographing People

ROBERTO VALENZUELA

PICTURE PERFECT LIGHTING

An Innovative Lighting System for Photographing People

Roberto Valenzuela

www.robertovalenzuela.com

Editors: Christina Borchers Leung and Ted Waitt

Project manager: Lisa Brazieal

Marketing: Jessica Tiernan

Interior design and layout: WolfsonDesign

Cover design: Rebecca Cowlin

Cover photograph: Roberto Valenzuela

Indexer: James Minkin

ISBN: 978-1-937538-75-0

1st Edition (1st printing, March 2016)

2016 Roberto Valenzuela

All images Roberto Valenzuela unless otherwise noted

Diagrams and studio renderings were created with ellixiers set.a.light 3D software

Rocky Nook Inc.

802 E. Cota Street, 3rd Floor

Santa Barbara, CA 93103

USA

www.rockynook.com

Distributed in the U.S. by Ingram Publisher Services

Distributed in the UK and Europe by Publishers Group UK

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015958927

All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or utilized in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the publisher.

Many of the designations in this book used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks of their respective companies. Where those designations appear in this book, and Rocky Nook was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in caps or initial caps. All product names and services identified throughout this book are used in editorial fashion only and for the benefit of such companies with no intention of infringement of the trademark. They are not intended to convey endorsement or other affiliation with this book.

While reasonable care has been exercised in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein or from the use of the discs or programs that may accompany it.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Printed in Canada

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to my beautiful, intelligent wife and best friend, Kim. You discussed every chapter with me and provided valuable input during the two years it took to write this book. You also prepared power foods and healthy shakes to keep my brain alert and innovative. Kim, your love and support throughout our marriage are a blessing. They are the fuel that keeps me going. I thank God for bringing us together.

To my amazing mom. You have endured many hardships and, against all odds, you raised four children successfully in a foreign country without speaking the language. Your efforts, work ethic, and love for your children motivate me every day. I love you, mom!

In Memoriam

In memory of our beloved family dog, Chochos. She passed away during the writing of this book. She was a loving companion and brought joy to our family for 14 years. We will miss her deeply.

I would like to begin the acknowledgments by thanking the many people who made this book happen. Thank you to Scott Cowlin and Ted Waitt for inviting me to write this book for Rocky Nook and for the trips from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles to seal the deal. I honestly feel honored to work with the best photography book publishing team in the world. I consider you great friends.

A heartfelt thank you to my family for their love and support. My mom, my big brother Antonio, my sister Blanca, and my little sister Susana, recently married to my new brother-in-law Daniel Yu. I would also like to thank my brother-in-law Kent (Pastor of The Bridge Church in the Phoenix area) for always being a great listener and advisor in personal and business matters, and for being the best pastor anywhere! I thank my awesome nephew Ethan who also loves photography, my cute little nephew Caleb, and my lovely and elegant ballerina niece Ellie. We had such a fun photo shoot, and I will always treasure that wonderful memory.

To my mother-in-law Christina: I cant thank you enough for spending countless hours meticulously editing every chapter of this book. I love how this book project is as important to you as it is to me. Readers around the world will enjoy a book that is well structured and enjoyable to read, all thanks to you. I also want to thank my father-in-law Peter for always being there for me. Peter actually provided me with my very first copy of Photoshop, and it ignited my passion for photography. I am lucky to have you as my in-laws! Also, big thanks to my sisters-in-law for supporting me throughout my learning process. Amy, Sarah, and her husband Neal were among the very first subjects I photographed. They patiently allowed me to do many practice photo shoots with them to help me improve my skills as a new photographer. Thanks to my cute little niece Alexandra, since she is my subject of choice to test how fast a new cameras focus tracking system can keep up with a speedy four-year-old. To Wendy Wong, for always being so supportive of my career and all my endeavors.

I would also like to thank the great people at ellixier, who allowed me to use their set.a.light 3D software for many diagrams and studio renderings in this book.

I want to mention a very special man who recently lost his battle to cancer. Bill Hurter believed in me from the very beginning. He was a force in the photography industry and educated many photographers around the world with his wonderful books. I am honored to have met him, and I will always be grateful for what he did for me.

To Arlene Evans: Arlene, just like Bill Hurter you believed in my career and in me. Thank you for being my Jewish mother! I am grateful to you every time I stand in front of a podium to teach a class anywhere in the world.

To Dan Willens: Thank you for all the support and encouragement you have shown me over the last four years.

To all my wonderful friends in the photography industry around the world. You keep me motivated and encouraged every year. I would like to especially thank the following people, listed in alphabetical order: Rocco Ancora, Roy Aschen, Ado Bader, Jared Bauman, Michele Celentano, Joe Cogliandro, Skip Cohen, Blair DeLaubenfels, Dina Douglas, Marian Duven, David Edmonson, Luke Edmonson, Dave Gallegher, Jerry Ghionis, Melissa Ghionis, Rob Greer, Jason Groupp, Scott Kelby, Colin King, Gary Kordan, Paul Neal, Maureen Neises, Collin Pierson, Ryan Schembri, Sara Todd, Justine Ungaro, Christy Webber, Lauren Wendle, Tanya Wilson.

To my good friends at Canon USA: Dan Neri, Len Musmeci, and Mike Larson. I am honored that you admitted me into the elite Canon Explorers of Light program. This is a dream come true.

Roberto Valenzuela is a photographer based in Beverly Hills, CA. He has been honored by Canon USA as one of the few chosen photographers to be part of their prestigious Canon Explorers of Light program.

Roberto developed his unique teaching style by following the same practice regimen he developed as a professional concert classical guitarist and educator before becoming a photographer. Roberto believes that it is not talent but deliberate practice that is at the core of skill and achievement. He has traveled to every corner of the world motivating photographers to practice and break down the various elements of photography in order to master them through goal-setting, self-training, and constant dedication.