Table Of ContentPICTURE PERFECT LIGHTING
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 ellixier’s 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.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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 can’t 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
camera’s 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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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.
Roberto serves as a chair and judge for some of the largest photographic
print competitions in Europe, Mexico, South America, and the most
celebrated international photography competitions held in the United
States through Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI)
in Las Vegas, NV.
Roberto teaches private workshops, seminars, and platform classes for
the largest photography conventions in the world. He has been an
international first-place winner three times and has been nominated by
his peers as one of the ten most influential photographers and educators
in the world. His first book, Picture Perfect Practice, quickly became the
#1 bestseller in the wedding photography book category. His second
book, Picture Perfect Posing, has also joined the ranks of its predecessor
as an international bestseller. Roberto’s books have been translated into
Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Indonesian, and German, to name just a
few, and they are sold in bookstores worldwide.
Aside from the world of photography, Roberto enjoys piloting high-
performance remote-control helicopters. He is a (not so good anymore)
classical guitarist and a table tennis fanatic, always on the lookout for a
good challenge.
CONTENTS
Foreword
Introduction
Picture Perfect Lighting Reference Charts
PART ONE
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIGHT
CHAPTER 1
PRIORITIZE A LIGHTING VISION OVER A LIGHTING STYLE
Lighting Vision
Lighting Style
The Potential That Light Has on a Photograph
CHAPTER 2
HOW LIGHT WORKS
How the Eye Sees Color
All Light Behaves the Same Way
CHAPTER 3
THE FIVE KEY BEHAVIORS OF LIGHT
Angle Behavior
