Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Location Photography Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been using the minimalist style of lighting, in one form or another, since the late 1980s, and I learned much of what I know through the painful process of trial-and-error. Austin, Texas-based photographer Kirk Tuck has taken all that basic knowledge and wrapped it up into a neat 128-page introductory handbook.
Minimalist Lighting covers both the "why" and "how" of location photographic lighting using small strobes off-camera. The first half of the book takes you through the basic gear choices you'll need to make and the fundamental techniques of off-camera small-strobe lighting. In the second part of the book, Kirk takes apart 14 of his own shoots, showing how he approached lighting them, the decisions he made, and the final results.
If you're already comfortable using small strobes off-camera, the first half of the book will be largely review material, and you'll likely skim over to the case studies, from which I gleaned several techniques I'm already putting to good use. If you're a newcomer to the world of minimalist lighting, you'll probably read the whole thing several times, learning new things on each pass through.
Either way, if you want to learn to light better with less cost, less money and less weight, this book definitely belongs on your bookshelf.

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Packed with incredible images and step-by-step techniques, this book is a must have for commercial, wedding, and portrait photographers working on location who want to maximize their time behind the camera and minimize their time spent hauling cumbersome lighting equipment. The tips show how to select easily portable and versatile equipment for location shoots, cutting down on the packing and porting of expensive equipment. With techniques and information on the latest technology-including battery-powered flashes and accessories-this reference shows photographers how to work with smaller and lighter-weight lighting equipment without sacrificing quality. Whether shooting portraits, landscapes, or interiors, whether indoors or out, photographers will embrace the portable approach offered in this valuable resource.

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Speedlights & Speedlites: Creative Flash Photography at the Speed of Light Review

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(More customer reviews)I read the book twice; gleaning little nuggets here and there.
The book highlights standard lighting techniques (which could be used with any type of artificial lighting)using speedlights. GREAT! What are my problems then, you might be wondering.
One "problem" with the book is that the author,chapter after chapter, continually attempts to "sell" the reader on the idea that using speedlights is a "great way" of shooting with flash. "YA, I KNOW THAT, that's why I bought the book in the first place" is what I was grumbling into the air as I continued read on to the end. His propensity to do this was annoying and left me feeling like I was getting cheated out of more helpful information. I don't need the author to tell me WHY I am using speedlights I want him to tell me HOW.
Another "problem" was that, like the title says (it finally dawned on me...), the book is only about using Nikon and Canon ETL speedlight/speedlite flashes. I was hoping that this was going to be a tome about off-camera flash using flashes in manual and setting up with shots using wireless triggers and etc. Maybe there would be some exposure tricks and tips that help the photographer get around using a light meter. I was hoping for, well, meat and potatoes..."strobist" stuff I guess. Maybe like how to train my eye and to be able to see the forest for the trees and vice versa when it comes to lighting. Oh well.
Don't get me wrong, I learned some stuff but...

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Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm an advanced hobbyist photographer. I have Canon bodies and flashes. I've found lots of general flash resources that have all been somewhat helpful. However, the missing link is a book dedicated to Canon flash devices.
The author does an excellent job of examining the Canon system and of explaining the features of the flashes.
That said, this isn't a replacement for the manual; it doesn't go over every button press and configuration option. Instead, there are a lot of examples showing how to use the flash and its features to get better pictures. There's lots of before and after photos to show how a feature changes the resulting image.
If you've just bought your first Canon flash, you might feel that this book assumes you have too much knowledge that you don't already have. However, if you've already learned the basics, this book will teach you some techniques that you won't easily find elsewhere, and as it does it will also show you how to set up your flash (and sometimes, Canon camera) to enable them.
I've uploaded a picture to this page that was taken using a technique learned via this book. The link is near the picture of the cover of the book at the top of the page.

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The Nikon Creative Lighting System: Using the SB-600, SB-800, SB-900, and R1C1 Flashes Review

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(More customer reviews)Amidst all the hype about megapixels and flicker, a new technology seemed to slip in under the radar. The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) arrived and gave users of the brand an unprecedented way to control large numbers of lights with an ease that would help to make better images (whatever better means). Lots of Nikon flash guns, or speedlights as they are now called, could be spread around a subject and fired again and again, while the photographer looked at resulting images on the camera monitor and adjusted the speedlights without ever leaving the shooting place until the photograper got just the lighting desired. Unfortunately, with this increase in versatility came an increase in complexity. It's this complexity that Mike Hagen is attempting to deal with.
The book includes chapters on the CLS system and flash theory in general; the buttons, modes and operations of each of the speedlights in the system, including the SB600, SB800, SB900, the SU800, the SB200, and the R1C1; the capabilities of the Nikon cameras that are integrated into the CLS system; batteries; and technique, including some examples of the use of the system.
The author aims primarily at the functions of the equipment rather than applications about which there is little discussion. For example, multiple flashes are quite useful in lighting interiors but there is no mention of this in the book. Nikon actually provides a pamphlet with their speedlights that does a better job of showing applications.
Unfortunately, the author often shows a lack of precision in discussing topics. For example, he indicates that the flash will tell you that it was not powerful enough to illuminate a scene by placing a minus sign in the upper right hand corner of the speedlight screen when a scene is underexposed. One might assume that this is some form of pre-metering but actually one must first take a picture, using the flash, to get this indicator. He also doesn't mention that the flash indicator on the flash will blink and that on some Nikon cameras, an indicator will blink in the viewfinder. For another example, Hagen tells you that you can press the zoom button to change the dispersion pattern of the SB800, but doesn't show you an image of the zoom button. That's because there is no separate button for zoom on the SB800; you have to use the multifunction dial for this purpose.
Some important subjects are omitted completely, like the integration of the speedlight with the camera. For example, there is no mention of the difference in shooting in aperture mode, shutter mode or manual mode. Similarly Hagen fails to provide important information that would allow one to figure out how to handle unique situations, like the fact that the flash tube only lights with one brightness and that it varies its illumination effects by the length of time it is on, or that in high speed mode the flash fires more than once, meaning that it will put out less illumination for each burst.
Users are hungry for information about the CLS system, and this book is the best available on CLS. Let's hope a better one comes along.


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Speedliter's Handbook: Learning to Craft Light with Canon Speedlites Review

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(More customer reviews)I was fortunate to participate in a 2 day workshop with Syl in the lead up to this book, and now I have the book in my grubby little hands, I can heartily recommend it for anyone who is trying to get something more from their speedlites than Canon seems to think they are capable of.
If you've just bought your first speedlite, then this book will walk you through everything you need to know to get it off the camera *and* keep the wonderful ETTL functionality that so many people misunderstand or seem to dismiss as gimmicky.
If, like me, you've got a couple of speedlites and had already got them off the camera, then there is *still* material in here that will help you up your game and expand what you are able to make these wonderful little lighting gadgets do. My biggest revelation in off camera ETTL speedliting? Buy a long ETTL cable :) Syl turned me onto what can be achieved if I get my master speedlite off the camera, on a cable so I can trigger my slave anywhere, including behind my model. So simple, yet I never thought of it.
There are tons of full color photos in the book that cover every topic covered in writing, making it perfect for us visual learners.
Did I mention, it's Canon specific? So little has been written for us ... all those "brand independent" books I've read and purchased in the past still assume only Nikon is able to handle off camera flash work, never really giving Canon their due. Finally, something I can simply follow along with the buttons on my own system and understand the same terminology.
Simply - *the* book to buy if you want to get better at what we do in the Canon world.

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Getting your Canon Speedlite to produce the light you need can be a real challenge. For those new to flash photography—or for anyone who has previously given up out of frustration—Speedliter's Handbook is a revelation. Photographer Syl Arena takes you on a journey that begins with an exploration of light and color, moves through a comprehensive discussion of the Canon Speedlite family and all of the accessories and equipment available to the Speedliter, then settles down to crafting great light in one photo shoot after another. Whether you want to create a classical portrait, shoot an event, or simply add a little fill light to a product shot, Speedliter's Handbook shows you how.A fantastic in-depth resource illustrated with over 500 images, Speedliter's Handbook covers:
how to see the various characteristics and properties of light itself, as well as the differences between how your camera sees versus how you see
all the buttons and dials of the entire Canon Speedlite family
the basics of on-camera flash…and the necessity of getting your flash off the camera
how to beautifully balance flash with the existing ambient light
all the equipment necessary for great Speedlite shots
how to get amazing shots with just one Speedlite
how and when to use E-TTL versus manual flash
the use of color gels to balance color, as well as create dramatic effects
how to tame the sun—or any really bright light—with hi-speed sync
and much, much more
Whether you're shooting portraits, events, or sports, Speedliter's Handbook is an essential resource that teaches you how to craft the light you need for any type of shot you want.

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