Shoot The Centerfold Individual Digital Lighting Books
Some of the most best kept secrets known to fashion and Playboy photographers are now available to you in a digital format. Learn how to create amazing shots using the very same lighting techniques as the centerfold masters. Now you can purchase individual lighting scenarios from Shoot The Centerfold’s series of Lighting Diagram Books. STC has made obtaining your lighting diagrams as easy and wallet-friendly as possible. Let’s say you like a specific scene, but don’t want to purchase the entire book. Select a scenario of your choice based on your educational needs, requirements or interests.
NOTE: THESE BOOKS ARE SINGLE SCENE BOOKS ONLY. ONE LIGHTING SCENARIO PER BOOK. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE THE ENTIRE DIGITAL BOOK WITH MULTIPLE SCENE/SCENARIOS, PLEASE SCROLL ALL THE DOWN TO THE END OF THIS PAGE.
Some lighting scenarios are more complex than others – choose wisely based on what you see, your level of proficiency, and the projects you feel will advance your photography accordingly. Lighting scenarios vary from natural light shooting techniques, one-light set-ups and advanced multi-lighting studio situations.
Single-lighting scene book includes:
- 1 lighting scenario in glamour, fashion, boudoir, beauty or fine art.
- Understanding exposure, color temperature & depth of field.
- An interview with Playboy’s longtime Director of Photography Gary Cole. (Jarmo’s books).
- Free model release for your usage.
- Test you photo knowledge: “40 Q&A”.
- How to use CTO and ND gels with image galley demonstration.
3 Proficiency Levels
Learn basic, intermediate, and advanced set lighting. Start with basic or intermediate level and test yourself with advanced lighting set-ups.
Take your photography to the next level
Create basic one-light setup or advanced lighting situations for a master photoset. Most important, learn how to balance daylight or strobes. See detailed descriptions of each setting, focal length, color temperature, gels, distance and lens used to create breathtaking images.
Lighting Ralitsa Ivanova – Glamour
The cat is out of the bag!! Our striking and popular STC seminar model Ralitsa Ivanova made quite an everlasting impression amongst our attendees and instructors. We have received your requests about the photo techniques used in the photo-set during her seminar appearance. So by popular demand, we have compiled a book about the lighting technique just for you and those who were not able to join us for the higher lighting seminar experience.
This specific lighting is known as one of Jarmo Pohjaniemi’s most popular lighting techniques as seen in Playboy magazine.
By: Jarmo Pohjaniemi | Difficulty Level – INTERMEDIATE | $34.99 | Buy This Book
Fashion is My Passion – Fashion
We’re always thinking about how we will raise the bar and how we will redefine the way the photographers can discover the next step in their photography career. The Fashion is My Passion lighting book will show you how to make beautiful modern fashion shots by using only two lights. This lighting and shooting style is often imitated yet rarely achieved can be seen in magazines like Vogue, Bazaar, and other top publications. If you are looking to learn a “less is more” (2 Light Magic) shooting style, then this tutorial will show you exactly how masters in fashion are getting the cutting edge editorial look that editors cannot ignore. Not only will you learn fashion lighting but also philosophy behind fashion makeup, posing, and how to select the right elements that make your shots ready for the publishing industry. Leave nothing to chance and learn the detailed production path that editors really want.
By: Jarmo Pohjaniemi | Difficulty Level – INTERMEDIATE | $34.99 | Buy This Book
Fetish Dream – Glamour
Photography is ambiguous. It can mean everything or it can mean nothing; and most of the time anything goes. The key difference in any of these aspects is the composition of your images’ main elements. Hair, make-up, wardrobe, and styling are the components of a successful photograph (assuming that you are photographing models). Even when photographing nudes, the actual styling can be created by increasing or decreasing light to add contour and shadowing. I hope that this new single scene book will shed some light to your already existing knowledge base.
By: Jarmo Pohjaniemi | Difficulty Level – INTERMEDIATE | $29.99 | Buy This Book
Hipster – Glamour
The term “Hipster” refers to a postmodern subculture of young, urban middle-class young adults and older teenagers that first appeared in the 1990s and became particularly prominent in the 2010s. The subculture is associated with indie and alternative music, and a anti-mainstream fashion sensibility. The style has spilled over to photography and is now widely popular in today’s publishing industry. Ales Bravnicar, the “master of light and shadow” expresses his version of “Hipster look” seen in Playboy and many other publications throughout top European markets. Never leave style uncovered. Keep up with the trends and elevate your photography with the latest and the best from Ales Bravnicar.
By: Ales Bravnicar| Difficulty Level – INTERMEDIATE | $29.99 | Buy This Book
The Golden Hour – Sunset
Sunsets are always fascinating and each one astounds you as if it were the first time seeing one. Just as we like to dress them up with a beautiful model, we often overlook the importance of the attributes and characteristics of light at sunset as it diminishes in strength and tone. In this tutorial, you will learn how to control color temperature, color separation and how to produce breathtaking sunset images.
The “Golden Hour” is one of the most desired photographic subjects for many, and most of us shoot with the sunlight using it as a sole light source. This tutorial book will instruct you on how to light and photograph emotively stupendous sunset images while shooting a model.
By: Jarmo Pohjaniemi | Difficulty Level – INTERMEDIATE | $29.99 | Buy This Book
Flying Hair – Modern Portrait
Learn how to photograph a modern portrait with smashing style and a fashionable touch. Portrait photography and headshots should follow today’s trends and style. Surprise your clients with a fresh look. Choose a new style that fits your project accordingly. Knowing photography and offering something original and exclusive is what brings your photography to a completely new level.
By: Jarmo Pohjaniemi | Difficulty Level – INTERMEDIATE | $29.95 | Buy This Book
Flat Surface – Swimsuit
Swimsuit photography is one of the most popular photographic styles in the world and usually produced on location, but can also be shot in the studio. Vivid, colorful, crisp and sensual images are what clients want for their new swimsuit lines and you don’t want to fall short in any expectations as you meet the demand that top industry editors and art directors want for their advertising and catalog clients. Learn to choose the right lens when photographing in small spaces.
Fashion Shot
Fashion can often be very challenging for many of us. Learn the difference between fashion and glamour using steps the masters use to create their fashion photography as seen in top publications. Take that first step and dive in to explore what it really takes to become a fashion photographer. See a behind-the-scenes image gallery and video that will motivate you into becoming the type of photographer you never thought possible.
Summer Set
A Centerfold shot is often imitated but never quite achieved… until now. See what it takes to create a classic Centerfold image as seen in the pages of Playboy for the past three decades. There is nothing quite like an iconic photographic style that only a select group of photographers had the chance to create and enjoy. As they say, learn from the best that created the look and feel seen by millions.
Bubble Set – Shaped Lighting
Learn to shape and balance lighting in three separate elements of depth of field. Create stunning lighting effects by using rim lighting and special elements to make your images more interesting. This technique was used in Jarmo Pohjaniemi’s famous “bubble” images that he photographed exclusively for Leica. See behind-the-scenes images and video on how the pictorial was accomplished.
Red Couch – Artistic
Create an artistic masterpiece with simplicity and well-calculated lighting angles. This is a perfect example of fine art meets glamour that has launched this picture from the studio to fine-art galleries worldwide. Learn the “less is more” philosophy, as well as how to balance shadow and midrange tonalities without excessive separation from the color spectrum to create unique images.
Fashion Headshot – Portrait
Playboy’s Miss March 2010 Playmate Kara Milan’s new look as a fashion model sparked top modeling agency Elite to sign her up after seeing her style transformation from glamour to fashion. Learn how to create piercing lighting techniques seen in fashion magazines and cosmetic advertisements.
Dark Skies – Fashion / Catalog
One of the most lucrative forms of photography is catalog work. This particular image style and lighting can be seen in world’s top catalogs and editorial pictorials. Learn how to balance daylight, strobe lighting and let the clothing and styling add to your final image. Just as an art director sets the direction of the photoshoot, it’s up to you to step up to the plate and deliver the lighting that accurately describes and promotes the product as well as makes the client happy.
Daylight Mixed With Strobelight
Most photographers shoot with natural light and that’s just fine because available lighting is one of the most beautiful lighting forms available, plus it doesn’t cost anything at all. However, you must become proficient in your lighting skills in order to elevate them to the next level. If you want to learn how to balance natural lighting with strobes by eliminating unwanted shadows and dead skintones, then this is an excellent tutorial for you for photographing in white, outdoor, high-key conditions and achieving a perfect light balance.
Wine Cellar – Fine-Art / Glamour
Understanding lighting that compliments and matches your subject as well as the surrounding location is often overlooked. This specific scene is a perfect example of how to combine one element with another (depth of field element) where a European celebrity was photographed in an old wine cellar. Location can become a very import and supportive part of your photo session.
Natural Light & Muted reflections
Subtracting light from one area and simultaneously adding to another area is a highly popular technique that can create stunning results. This lighting technique can be used during natural or strobe lighting sessions. Based on the skintones of your model and the background, this technique is a skill that working photographer cannot ignore.
Dining Room
Seductive, moody lighting is one of the most popular lighting styles among glamour photography as well as in fashion. However, results are often somewhat different from what was originally planned. Take control of the light and become a master of seductive, moody lighting. Many photographers have created careers based on this specific lighting style.
High-Key Set
A light-skinned model against light-colored elements can be a challenging task even for an experienced photographer. Learn how to control high-key lighting situations in surrounding light colored elements. It’s not the amount of the light as much as it is the quality of light used.
Classic Set – Glamour
Classic glamour lighting has existed since the early days of photography and will remain as one of the favorite styles of lighting of all times. Add rimlights, facelights and element lights to dress up your set and you are ready to take on any client in most challenging lighting situations.
Doorway Set – Centerfold Lighting
Centerfold lighting is one of the most admired lighting techniques ever by photographers. The very same master photographers here at Shoot The Centerfold have mastered this technique. Learn and take advantage of this very same and magical lighting technique seen in the pages of Playboy. Easy step-by-step explanations and image sequences are used to demonstrate an image’s lighting effect from the time the shutter clicks until the final composition is complete.
Bear Hug
Shooting in confined spaces can represent a true photographic challenge. Learn and understand the balance of natural light in an intimate setting with some useful tips on making a small space look bigger. Avoid unpleasant colorcasts from walls, know how to “wrap” the light around your subject and achieve a perfect set layout by repositioning the elements in the room to suit your composition.
Soft Couch
One of the key trademark looks of world-class glamour photographers has always been their lighting. Unsurpassed in its ability to retouch any face when used correctly, the zoom spot is a secret weapon of many a master photographers and they were being completely silent about it – until now! Read the descriptions and learn the ropes of using a zoom spot the way the masters do.
David and Goliath
Learn to become proficient in your lighting skills in order to elevate them to the next level. If you want to learn how to balance natural light and use good composition this is the tutorial for you. Learn the caveats of location work and the best methods to pack your gear for any photographic trip, be it on the other side of the globe or in your backyard.
Sunglasses
This is a typical editorial photo set-up, made for a client who makes sunglasses. An essential beauty shot with a twist, it boosts mood and intimacy. Learn how to master the legendary gridspots Playboy photographers use over and over again on a face, avoiding reflections in the glasses and positioning the scrims in the right place. Never have unsharp photos of beauty close-ups by following the tips on the right choice of lenses and grip support.
Classic Car Shot
This is a typical editorial photo set-up, made for a client who makes glasses. An essential beauty car shot with a twist, it boosts mood and intimacy. Learn how to master the legendary gridspots Playboy photographers use over and over again on a face, avoiding reflections in the glasses and positioning the strobes in the right place. Never have unsharp photos of beauty close-ups by following the tips on the right choice of lenses and grip support.
Champagne
Learn how to use a sole light source and how make it interesting! Emulating the Broadway musical spotlight in a controlled studio setting brings out the intense feeling of “happening,” carefully intertwined with the stage “glam” look and elegance that make the subject pop. Tame the spot light source and make it a secret weapon to impress your clients.
Fashion
Producing vivid, sensual and strong images are all the rage with clients selling clothes, shoes, handbags or Smartphones. Do not fall short in their expectations with this high-key setup that floods the model with the light, but does it carefully and with a sophisticated amount of precision. This is the look the art directors want for their multi-million dollar campaigns (and they do NOT like to be let down).
Figure
Learn and take advantage of this magical “wrap-around” lighting technique straight from the actual pages of Playboy! This large light source technique is used by the masters in most of the world’s top catalogues and fashion magazines. Easy step-by-step explanations are used to demonstrate an image’s lighting effect from the time the background is rolled out to the time the shutter clicks.
Intimate
Photographers have exploited window light and natural light to illuminate their subject ever since photography was invented. Learn how to balance your ambient light correctly by using industry standard neon lights and bring the room to a perfect intimate mood with your technique. Find out how to control the light spill and what aperture to use for that velvety, smooth rendering of your model’s skin.
Girls
A high-key concept was used to produce this sensual photo of two models on a couch. This technique is frequently used in Playboy magazine and incorporates the use of a ringflash, a beloved companion of many a professional glamour photographer and a staple in fashion photography. Learn to master it and leave nothing to chance – the ringflash signature look is not the easiest to achieve! This set will show you how to do it right.
Queen
Producing vivid, sensual and strong images are all the rage with clients selling clothes, shoes, handbags or Smartphones. Do not fall short in their expectations with this high-key setup that floods the model with the light, but does it carefully and with a sophisticated amount of precision. This is the look the art directors want for their multi-million dollar campaigns (and they do NOT like to be let down).
Splash – Green Screen
Learn the Hollywood technique of Chromakey-ing! The industry standard green screen normally used in the movies (and with an establishing position in photography as well) was used for the background that needed replacement in the post-production phase. Master the water freezing technique and equipment needed for it. Included is a step-by-step tutorial on the process of removing the green color and replacing it with any background of your choice!
Studio
Showing the corners of the strobes in your pictures has always been a taboo in the studio. Learn how to use studio props to your advantage by incorporating them into the composition and your set. Make sure to properly adjust your backlight, as this is going to be your only light source! Setting up such a scene is an enormous challenge – see what it takes to master it by reflecting the strong backlight back onto your subject!
Beauty
Here you can see what it takes to produce a multi-lighting beauty headshot you see in all the cosmetics ads and fashion magazines. The set covers the use of a beauty dish and striplights to establish a correct ratio of light hitting the subject’s face, hair and body. See how different light modifiers complement each other and how to determine their ratio for stunning looks.
Full book versions also available with multiple lighting scenarios
Digital lighting book contains 15 different lighting situations from each master. Each scenario includes camera settings (f/stop, ISO, shutter speed, etc.), equipment and lighting used, set-up descriptions, and full-page diagrams depicting light placement, distances and setting values. Explore the techniques and lighting and become a master by learning from the very best.
Jarmo Pohjaniemi’s Lighting Book – Full Version
Some of the most best kept secrets known to fashion and Playboy photographers are now available to you in a digital format. This book holds over two decades of study and careful refinement. Learn how to create amazing shots using the very same lighting techniques as the centerfold masters. Learn from multiple interactive sets with full equipment and lighting details as well as extra behind-the-scenes galleries, videos and much more.
Ales Bravnicar’s Lighting Book – Full Version
Ales Bravnicar’s Lighting Guide is a mix of edgy fashion photography and traditional glamour photography. The most traveled of the STC master photographers, Bravnicar covers a wide range of lighting situations from basic location shooting to complex multi-light studio set-ups. The book’s lighting diagrams carefully explain his methods and deft use of light and shadow. Time and time again, Bravnicar has displayed the immaculate ability to master any lighting scenario and create masterpieces out of what may seem to be impossible situations to the untrained eye.
