lntroduction to the first edition

This book is aimed at you if you wish to learn about lighting a video production. We have assumed that you have no knowledge or, at best a little knowledge. We start at the beginning with the make up of the lighting team and who does what, continue through a little simple electricity that you must know to understand the relationship between the camera and the lights and then move on to basic lighting in the studio and on location.

We end up with some practical examples to help you light the most common productions. They are not the whole answer, but will provide you with a viewable starting point!

It is equipment non-specific, merely dealing with the principles and processes involved in obtaining professional results in educational and training environments. You will not be a 'lighting expert', but if you are a student who wishes to learn about all aspects of lighting a video production, read on.

Much of what you read will be directly transferable to film courses as the basics and principles remain the same.

There are brief, but comprehensive, details of the types of equipment you will encounter. There are hints and tips to help you choose equipment to fulfil a particular need.

You will learn enough about the planning, selecting and positioning of lights to make your own productions look very professional.

Our aim is to give you a rapid understanding of what is actually a complex process, without getting too bogged down in technical terms. Only where it is necessary to understanding is there any reference to technical matters.