Lighting: A Design Source Book

Rating:
Summary: I sent this book back
Review: First book I ever returned to Amazon because it was of unacceptable quality. The book should be titled "Pictures of pretty lighting fixtures" as the photographs are quite well done, but I found no useful information on the design of lighting. There is nothing on the subject of how to illuminate a room. Indeed you will see some examples of incredibly underlit rooms. They look good in the pictures because the photographer, Ray Main, has added what looks like a couple of thousand watts of bounce flash. You will see some kitchens where the people will need flashlights to cook their food. I did not see any room that looked adequately lit by the actual fixtures.

The discussion of fluorsecent lights is very disappointing. In the age of energy conservations the fact that fluorescent lights emit about 5 times more lumens per watt than incandescent lights makes them definitely worth considering. I had hoped to see some artistic ideas for using these interesting but awkward light sources, but there was very little and what there was was disappointing.

Kudos to Ray Main for beautiful photographs. Look somewhere else if you want "A Design Source Book".

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction to lighting
Review: I went to a bookstore and spent four hours reading through six different books on lighting design for the home. This is the best book by far, very informative text along with numerous photographs.

Rating:
Summary: Needs Work
Review: This book lightly touches on all aspects of lighting, some more heavily than other. But it definitely needs work in some sections. Also there is no mention of LCD, Natural Gas or Pipe Lighting, which should be addressed in any newer versions. The web links should also be checked and updated accordingly. Borrow it from the library first before you decide to buy it.

Rating:
Summary: What else can I say
Review: What they said! This book is very,very,good. Not only do you get excellent information on lighting, but wonderful ideas on contempory decorating. Two for the price of one, it doesn't get any better than that.