Langford's Advanced Photography, Eighth Edition: The guide for Aspiring Photographers (The Langford Series)

497 Pages·2011·46.93 MB·english

by  Efthimia Bilissi

Langford’s
Advanced
Photography
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Langford’s
Advanced
Photography
The guide for aspiring
photographers
Eighth Edition
Michael Langford FBIPP, HonFRPS
Royal College of Art, London
Efthimia Bilissi MSc PhD AIS ARPS
Senior Lecturer 
University of Westminster, London
Contributors
Elizabeth Allen BSc MSc
Course Leader BSc (Hons) Photography and Digital Imaging 
University of Westminster, London

Andy Golding
Head of Department of Photography and Film 
University of Westminster, London
Hani Muammar BSc MSc PhD MIET 
Imaging Scientist 
Consultant
Sophie Triantaphillidou BSc PhD ASIS FRPS 
Leader Imaging Technology Research Group
University of Westminster, London
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First published 1969
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Third edition 1974
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Compilation copyright © 2011 Pamela Langford, Dr. Efthimia Bilissi. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All 
rights reserved.
Contributors: Elizabeth Allen, Andy Golding, Dr. Hani Muammar and Dr. Sophie Triantaphillidou 
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Contents
Picture credits xiii
Introduction xv
1 Colour in photography 1
Light and colour 1
The human visual system 3
Methods of colour reproduction 4
Light sources and their characteristics 5
Colour temperature 6
Classification of colour 14
How we see colour 17
Summary 22
Projects 23
2 Camera equipment 24
The digital revolution 24
Camera design 25
Image format 27
The role of the camera in the imaging process 30
Features of digital cameras 32

Camera types: analogue and digital 37
Which one is best? 47
Specialized accessories 48
Avoiding camera failures 50
Comparing digital and silver halide camera equipment 52
Summary 53
Projects 55
v
CONTENTS
3 Choosing lenses 56
The lens designer’s problems 56
Checking lens image quality 61
Understanding modulation transfer function 63
Buying lenses 70
Special lens types 71
Influences on image sharpness 82
Using lenses created for 35 mm systems on DSLRs 83
Summary 85
Projects 86
4 Lighting control 87
Size of light sources 87
Direction and angle of light 91
Distribution of light 92
Contrast and exposure 93
Colour and colour temperature 97
Practical control of colour 98
Guidelines for lighting 100
Lighting equipment 102
Lighting principles in practice 104

Still-life photography 110
Location Interior lighting 110
Flashguns 111
Summary 114
Projects 115
vi
CONTENTS
5 Tone control 116
Practical influences 116
Tone control theory 119
Precision measurement of exposure 124
High dynamic range imaging 127
The zone system of exposure and development 129
Putting the zone system to work 133
Limitations to the zone system 135
Tone changes after film processing 136
Controls during enlarging 139
Summary 140
Projects 142
6 Image sensors 143
An introduction to image sensors 143
Alternative sensor technologies 155
Image artefacts associated with sensors 160
Summary 167
Projects 169

vii
CONTENTS
7 Digital imaging systems 170
The computer workstation 170
Inputs 173
Types of scanners 174
Scanner characteristics 178
Setting up the scanner 180
Image outputting – Displays 183
Characteristics of display systems 186
Image outputting – Digital printers 189
Printer characteristics 193
Summary 196
Projects 197
8 Digital image management and manipulation 198
The digital image 198
Image workflow 205
General considerations in determining workflow 207
Image capture 213
Image co mpression 217
Choosing file format 221
Properties of common image file formats 223
Digital colour 225
Image processing 233
Image-processing workflow 235
Summary 244
Projects 246
viii
CONTENTS
9 Films – types and technical data 247
Film design 247
Choosing films 249
Understanding technical descriptions 253
Film MTF 257
Characteristic curves 259
Spectral sensitivity 261
Reciprocity failure 263
Product coding 264
Special materials 265
Summary 270
Projects 271
10 Film processing management and colour printing 272
The processes themselves 272
Points to watch 277
Equipment 280
Making a choice 286
Process control 287
Silver recovery 291
Colour printing equipment 291

Print materials 294
Negative/positive colour printing 296
Positive/positive colour printing 297
Shading and printing-in (or dodging and burning-in) 299
Making a ring-around 299
Additional points to watch 301
Colour/exposure analysing aids 302
Other colour lab procedures 304
Summary 307
Projects 308
ix