PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Recently I saw a post here, or on another forum, about a program to teach photographic lighting. The cost was nominal and a guide was available for download in PDF for review. I thought I had downloaded t to review but now I cannot find that download. Neither can I recall the name of the program/app. Anyone maybe know the app to which I refer? If so, please let me know as I would like to research it a bit more. TIA for any help anyone can provide.

To admin, if this is the wrong section, please move to the appropriate section. Thank you.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Is this it? set.a.light 3D V2.5 - The Revolutionary Lighting Simulation for Photographers and Filmmakers...

Some more options: Google Search Results

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Yes, that is it. Thank you so very much for the information. This thread may now be closed to further posts and/or discussion.

Hip Coyote

Before it is closed, can anyone say if this program is useful to those who have used it?

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

It'll be interesting to see how many spring for the $154 price tag who complain that the Adobe subscription is too pricey for them.

IMHO no computer program is going to replace the "experience of doing".

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Problem is, many of these tutorials and online sites put emphasis on equipment choices and the post-processing effect. Very few, if any I have seen later get into the basic foundational theory of lighting aesthetics, dynamics, and specific essential elements such as angle of incidence, the inverse square law, and vital techniques such as feathering, ratio determination and much more. When these essentials are mastered, one can use just about any light source at the disposal or set up a simple or elaborate studio-like scenario, or be able to use natural or window light effectively.

All the razzle-dazzle, coloured gels and post-processing enhancements come later.

The only self-education programme I know of that really drills down in the basics and simplifies them is called "The Dynamics of Light" by Peter Nicastro. It's old and may be available through the P.P.of. A. educational system.

You can't REALLY learn light for diagrams- they are just basic starting points. You need to work with actual subjects as you study various methods.

Vector

I've not used it, but many on this site recommend "the strobist" website.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

As the OP, I appreciate the opinions, comments and advice herein expressed. Since I posted the question, I have looked at the website and found there are two versions of the app, basic and studio. While reviewing the site, several examples and explanations are available which indicate it uses animation of models in varied color backgrounds, lighting arrangements and angles from different heights and positions. It also allows for single or multiple lights and different types of lights. It also shows a wide variety of light types and reflectors and light boxes. The models, camera, and lights can be moved about to an extremely varied setup.

The basic version is currently on sale for about $80 USD. I have not pulled the trigger on it but am looking into it further. My suggestion is to at least look into the site and then make an informed decision. I'll try to provide an update as I learn more. "If" I get it, I'll try provide feedback as I learn.

Again, thank you all for your comments, advice and suggestions.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Thank you for your omment. I have seen and visited "The Strobist" site and do not see any of the animation and ability to move lights, camera and model that the set.a.light3D app seems to offer. I have read a couple of the "lessons" and agree they explain light quite well, but I learn a little better from visual examples and animated (moving) examples are even better.

I do not mean to belittle The Strobist, just for me I think the set.a.light3D program will be good for me, even with a payment for it.

Just my $0.02 of opinion.

User ID

It’s OK to pay for it.

Hogsters always seem to frown on paying for anything except a PS subscription. I think they feel disrespected that a fellow Hogster would actually choose to pay an anonymous stranger rather than learn everything by the “wisdom” of the UHH herd mind collective.

Vector

No harm no foul. Just providing a data point you may (or may not) find useful. Best of luck to you in your "photographic journey".