If you work in lighting — or plan to — this is the book.
Harry C. Box’s Set Lighting Technician’s Handbook isn’t just a guide, it’s the industry bible for Gaffers, Electrics, Grips, and even Cinematographers. You’ll find it on nearly every professional truck, and for good reason: it’s the most comprehensive, practical lighting reference ever written.
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars!
Buy the Set Lighting Technician’s Handbook on Amazon here.
Don’t Believe Me When I Say How Great This Book Is?
Check out some other reviews on Amazon.com – The few negative reviews are due to issues with the layout of the Kindle edition, another reviewer bought it thinking it was something completely different.
Why This Book Matters
I’ve carried this book to about 90% of the film sets I’ve worked on — as a Gaffer, Best Boy, and Electric.
It’s saved my ass more times than I can count.
My copy is beaten up, covered in tape, highlighter marks, and scribbled notes. It lives in my kit because it’s that useful. Whether you’re troubleshooting a power issue, building a lighting package, or explaining color temperature to a DP, this book always has the answer.
Who This Book Is For
Gaffers, Best Boys, and Set Electrics – If you touch a distro box or hang a light, this belongs in your bag.
Grips and Key Grips – You’ll get a stronger understanding of what the lighting side needs and why.
Cinematographers – Knowing the gear and how light behaves is one of the fastest ways to elevate your images.
Students & New Crew – If you’re serious about working in lighting or grip, this is the smartest first investment you can make.
Who It’s Not For
Hobbyists or casual readers – It’s highly technical and assumes you understand set life.
Kindle users – The digital version has layout issues that make it a pain to use.
People who “just want to play with lights.” This isn’t coffee-table fluff — it’s a professional manual.
What’s Inside
The book is massive. It covers every part of the lighting world — from preproduction and gear prep to on-set safety, rigging, electricity, and advanced lighting theory.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the early chapters:
Chapter 1 – Set Basics: Your First Barbecue (Pages 1–12)
Introduces the major crew roles — Gaffer, Best Boy, Rigging Electric, Generator Op, Grips, Camera, Sound, ADs, and Production.
If you’re new to set life, this is a perfect crash course in who does what and how departments interact.
Also covers the essential workflow: Block, Light, Rehearse, Tweak, Shoot — the foundation of every efficient crew day.
Read more: Block, Light, Rehearse: Why It Matters
Chapter 2 – Pre-Production Planning (Pages 15–37)
Breaks down what goes into building a lighting package — from fixtures and distro to expendables and personal tools.
If you’re stepping into a Best Boy role or prepping your first truck, this section is gold.
Related: Essential Tools for Film Technicians
Chapter 3 – The Basic Tungsten Arsenal (Pages 39–67)
A deep dive into the workhorses of traditional lighting — Fresnels, open-faces, soft lights, and practical units.
Even in a digital LED world, understanding tungsten is key to mastering contrast and color balance.
Chapter 4 – The Basic HMI Arsenal (Pages 69–94)
This is where you meet the daylight beasts — 575s, 1200s, 4Ks, 6Ks, 12Ks.
It explains how to use, maintain, and troubleshoot them safely (and why every Gaffer has a love–hate relationship with ballasts).
Chapters 5–14 Cover:
- Fluorescents and LED fixtures
- Stands, rigging, and mounting gear
- Lighting objectives and methods
- Diffusion, shaping, and control tools
- Electricity and set protocol
- Power distribution, dimmers, and generators
- Real-world work habits, safety, and career development
Every page is packed with diagrams, charts, and real-world tips that feel written by someone who’s actually wrapped cable and climbed lifts — because it was.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about working in lighting, this is mandatory reading.
It’s not trendy. It’s not theoretical. It’s field-tested knowledge that’s kept film sets running safely and efficiently for decades.
Whether you’re prepping your first truck or leading a 10-ton package, this book earns its spot in your kit.
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars!
Check out the Set Lighting Technician’s Handbook on Amazon.com.
