ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Allison started her photography career over twenty-six years ago. Working as a photographer for NASA, she documented space shuttle landings and experimental aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base in California. She also worked as a medical/advertising photographer at Centinela Hospital, the hospital of the Lakers, Kings, and Dodgers.

Many of Allison’s photographs have appeared in magazines and journals. Two of her fashion/people images were nominated, two years in a row, at the Black & White Spider awards. Currently, she is a Pro Contributor for Lexar Media.

Allison holds a BS in Business Management from the University of Maryland. She is essentially a self-taught photographer and credits her success to countless mentors who have, throughout the years, graciously shared their knowledge and talent. She believes in continuing education and is currently teaching photography, lighting, and postproduction workflow classes to aspiring photographers.

In the last four years, Allison has written numerous educational articles for Studio Photography magazine. One such article, “Sculpting People with Light,” was particularly well received; based on it, Amherst Media asked her to write her first book, Sculpting with Light®: Techniques for Portrait Photographers.

To learn more about Allison, visit www.allisonearnestphotography.com.

.PHOTOGRAPHY JONES DON BY PHOTO

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 7

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

So many people come into and go out of our lives for many different reasons. Dan and Dianne Hagmaier are two such people who came into my life a couple years ago—at just the right time! Had it not been for their unconditional encouragement, countless hours of help, and generous support, this book would not have been a reality. My heart-filled thanks to both of you. Thank you, Dan, for the graphics on the set scenes and the set-scene photos of Shirley.

There are so many wonderful friends in my life that have always been there through the good and bad. For their inspiration, support, and encouragement, thanks go out to: my family, Connie and Carl Nink, Eileen and Mark Detka, Clay Earnest, Marion Crocker, Nick and Patty Vedros, Alice Miller, Heather ter Steege, Jeanne Brei, Jerry Ward, David Mecey, Jeff Johnson, Kevin and Clare Kubota, Peter Geller of Sunbounce, Marc and Sharon Gottula, Aléna Watters, Irena Murphy, Michelle Lopez, Leslie Abeyta, Gabe G, Michael Johnson, Eric Seymour, Esben, Carl Snider, Erik Beard and Mark Kemper, The Portrait Lab, Hensel Germany, Phil Bradon, Joe Adams, Chris and Brian Caplan, Doug and Kathy Kopacz, Yvonne Becker-Merkle, Paul Perigrime, Ila Reinstein, Brad Walters, Shaun Nink, and Carmen Fiumedreddo. To Ken Cook and Tony Corbell, thank you for your inspiring videos. A special thanks to my models and clients, who graciously allowed me to create photographs as illustrations for this book.

Thank you to Bob Ray, Jeff Cable, Dave Black, Lynn Boutte, Tammy Awtry, and Don Jones for contributing amazing photographs. Your generosity and giving nature in the name of educating photographers is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all the manufacturers and distributors who graciously contributed their amazing products for use throughout the book.

A special thanks to Don Jones for creating an amazing author portrait. Don, you inspire me to challenge myself photographically on a daily basis. (You are amazing!)

Lastly, thanks to Amherst Media for believing in me enough to offer me continued opportunities to help inspire others and for their dedication to educating present and future photographers everywhere.

If I’ve neglected to thank you personally, know that you are in my heart.

8 THE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER’S GUIDE TO LIGHT MODIFIERS