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Light It, Shoot It, Retouch It: Learn Step by Step How to Go from Empty Studio to Finished Image

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FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, YOU’LL LEARN ALL THREE ASPECTS OF WHAT IT TAKES TO CREATE STUNNING PORTRAITS( IT’S NOT JUST THE LIGHTING) Scott Kelby, the world’s #1 best-selling author of photography books, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Photoshop User magazine, and Publisher of the just-released Light It magazine, has reinvented how lighting books are written by finally revealing the entire process from start to finish. You see everything from the complete lighting setup (and all the gear used), to the shoot (including all the camera settings and a contact sheet of the progression of the shoot), to the all-important part that most books don’t dare include–the post-processing and retouching in Photoshop. This book also breaks new ground in the visual way it teaches you the lighting setup. There aren’t any sketches or 3D models–you see the lighting layout in a full-page photo, taken from above during the live shoot, so you can see exactly where everything’s positioned (the subject, the photographer, the lighting, the background–you name it–you see it all). Plus, you’ll see side, over-the-shoulder, and more behind-the-scenes views, so you can absolutely nail the lighting every time. LEARN THE LIGHTING SETUPS THE PROS USE Each year, Scott trains thousands of professional photographers during his Light It. Shoot It. Retouch It. LIVE! seminar tour and now, for the first time ever, he’s taken that incredibly popular style of learning and put in into book form. Now everyone can have a real-world reference for getting the same looks today’s clients are clamoring for. You’ll The step-by-step layouts for creating the most-requested and sought-after lighting looks How to get more out of one light than you ever thought you could (this is worth it alone!) How to control and shape your light without breaking the bank The camera settings, gear, and power settings for every shot The retouching techniques the pros really use to make their subjects look their very best How to retouch hair, eyes, lips, skin, and lots of other little retouching tricks that make a really big difference How to create high-contrast portrait effects without buying expensive plug-ins A host of insider tricks, invaluable shortcuts, and kick-butt special effects to give you a real advantage over the competition Plus, Scott includes a special bonus chapter that shows how to create these same studio looks using off-camera hot shoe fl ashes and the modifi ers made for them. There’s never been a book like it.

623 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2011

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656 people want to read

About the author

Scott Kelby

491 books284 followers
Scott Kelby is an American author and publisher of periodicals dealing in Macintosh and Personal Computer software, specifically for design professionals, photographers, and artists.

Kelby is editor and publisher of Photoshop User and Layers magazines, president and co-founder of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) and is president of Kelby Media Group, an Oldsmar, Florida-based software training, education, and publishing firm.
Kelby is a photographer, designer, and the award-winning author of more than 40 books.

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5 stars
222 (49%)
4 stars
127 (28%)
3 stars
78 (17%)
2 stars
16 (3%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Reemooh Ram.
32 reviews
May 9, 2018
كتااااااااب بطل تطبيقات ودروس تصوير وورش فوتوشوب
الكتاب ثمييييييييييييييين 👌🏻
18 reviews5 followers
December 29, 2011
I received this book as a prize for winning my local groups World Wide Photo Walk this year. At the time I had no studio lighting equipment and was not sure how much use I would get out of it, but new the writing would be classic Scott Kelby so there had to be something in there for me. Turns out nearly every chapter has something every photographer can use. There are loads of tips in the retouching sections for any type of shooter, and some of the lighting tips help make you more aware of light in general.

If you've gotten any of Scott's previous books, you know the quality will be there, so get off the fence and grab it.
54 reviews
July 18, 2021
If you are a beginner, then this book is probably a 5/5 since it shows you a lot of light setups at once and how to shoot them. If you have more experience, you've probably seen most of these already.

My main issue with the book is that it should not be a book at all, but rather a series of videos. The retouching part would be a lot easier to follow and understand and faster to digest. That being said, there are some good tips and tricks in the book.
8 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2018
Very informative, made me comfortable in understanding and working / controlling light.
Profile Image for Katsu.
116 reviews13 followers
April 14, 2013
This book is not about a studio, not about a light and not about shot. It is ONLY about Retouch.
And it would be OK if title suggests that. But it doesn't. Subtitle suggests that this book will learn you how to make photo starting from empty studio. So unfortunately this is also a lie. Lights configuration is shown and no decision process or any kind of detailed explanation why is no mentioned. Also there are no information why this frame was chosen for further retouch.
I expected also lights and frame explanations so I'm disappointed but retouch also is not interesting...
Yes, there are some tips and tricks but same things are repeated over and over again. And no this important or hard ones but such like instruction of creating new layer or how to open given tool...
This book also maybe considered as an databases of Photoshop shortcuts. And always both versions, Windows + Mac OS. It would be better and simpler if there were some translation at the and and no over and over again the same shortcuts (plural because always Windows and Mac OS). And as I said, easy things are repeated, hard one unfortunately no...
If you are looking for PS tips and tricks for portraits it may be useful but for sure it is not what is in title. I am no ever an inch closer to knowing how to build studio than I was before reading this.
If you are interested in lightening techniques better read for example McNally's books.
It is first book of Kelby I have read. I will consider reading another one, but only because I heard a lot of good about him. But based on this book only I would never read any of his other books. For now he is for me a retoucher not a photographer - he prefers to make average photo and retouch it than make it good at first.
Profile Image for Sarah Whisted.
200 reviews2 followers
February 9, 2013
I think this book will come in more handy for me further down my journey to photographer. Perhaps it's a little beyond my current status. I don't have a lot of the suggested equipment and apparently have a lot more to learn about my camera's functions before I can put them to use properly. I also do not have photoshop as an editing means (I bought a separate book for the program I do have). Still, I think the set-ups will come in handy one day and at least now I know what kind of equipment I should be investing my money into.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
28 reviews20 followers
May 8, 2012
Enjoyed the seminar based on this and the book is a wonderful "how-to" guide. There were this ideas presented here that myself and a friend were surprised and amused to find the teachers in our photography school would never consider... Or would down right say would never be acceptable "in the real world".

Scott Kelby may first and foremost be a marketer, but in the world of photography he has his finger firmly on the pulse of popular techniques and trends.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
61 reviews
March 6, 2013
I found this extremely useful for step-by-step post-processing guidance in Photoshop. The "retouch it" was more helpful to me than the "light it" and "shoot it" aspects, but it will be different for every reader/user. The eBook is fantastically well organised - it's clear a lot of thought went into producing it. It's one I'll refer back to, I'm sure.
Profile Image for Rebecca Bridges.
1 review1 follower
January 3, 2013
Scott Kelby books are always so easy to follow along with and "Light It, Shoot It, Retouch It" is no exception! There are some great techniques laid out "step by step" for even the most amateur photographer.
Profile Image for Reem  Alshaikh.
93 reviews7 followers
January 3, 2015
كتاب ليس للقراءه بقدر مايجب ان يملكه كل مصور محترف
لمعرفه الاضاءاه والتعديل والتصوير
كتاب جدا رائع سيلازمني دائما من حيث التطبيق والتفاصيل
من المواقف الطريفه ان لم اكن املك مبلغ الكتاب ولكن اكتشفت بعد شرائي لعده كتب ان سأحصل على كوبون بسعر الكتاب فكان من نصيبي
وتستعيره صديقاتي المصورات
Profile Image for Dicky stefanus.
5 reviews
March 6, 2014
Really nice. He can combine many gears, and really offer great tips how really to do it (based on the experience). Like the part to get a studio light with wheels. The language is easy to comprehend, and its make the reader wonder where is d next book about.
Profile Image for Dominic Forbes.
74 reviews10 followers
November 3, 2014
Easy to follow. Mainly about Photoshopping after a shoot. The lighting set ups aren't very detailed in a technical sense but good food for thought if you have the equipment. I use PS everyday and learnt several new techniques.
A good introduction and easy to see how to delve further elsewhere.
Profile Image for Michel Guindon.
6 reviews1 follower
December 13, 2015
Fantastic step by step guide

This book is a fantastic step by step guide to get you started. With this as your jumping off point your creativity will be able to expand upon the use of these techniques.
54 reviews
November 29, 2011
Excellent for understanding lighting placement and how to touch up after and it doesn't require a major investment in equipment.
576 reviews
July 5, 2012
Kelby books are always informative. Would recommend to any new or semi experienced DSLR users who want to rev up their ability while processing is an additional bonus.
Profile Image for Ahamd Mesallm.
11 reviews2 followers
January 16, 2014
اذا كنت محب لتصوير الأستديو فهذا الكتاب سيساعدك على فهم توزيع الأضاءة و معالجة صورة البورترية بالفتوشوب
Profile Image for Fatima Al Shabeeb.
173 reviews68 followers
May 11, 2013
أحببت تفاصيل الشرح المرفقة بالصور والمعدات ومراعاة سكولبي للبدائل الغير متوفرة
Profile Image for Jenna.
142 reviews1 follower
August 12, 2016
It was well written and had a lot of useful information. I was hoping for more on how to decide settings and how the camera and light work together.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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