“As a photographer I capture light, my subjects reflect light and my audience absorbs light.”
Rolando Gomez
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Westwood Light and Lens Bundle: Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age Reviews
Westwood Light and Lens Bundle: Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age
Light & Lens: Photography in the Digital Age is a groundbreaking introductory book that clearly and concisely provides the instruction and building blocks necessary to create thought-provoking digitally based photographs. It is an adventurous idea bo
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Light, Shadow & Skin Tone: The Complete Guide to Shooting Black & White Glamour Photography Both Digitally and on Film
Light, Shadow & Skin Tone: The Complete Guide to Shooting Black & White Glamour Photography Both Digitally and on Film
In this groundbreaking new book, Bill Lemon explores the art of shooting black and white glamour photography. The book details the similarities and differences between digital photography and traditional film and provides numerous artistic, visual ex
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The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes
- ISBN13: 9780321580146
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When it comes to photography, it’s all about the light.
After spending more than thirty years behind the lens—working for National Geographic, Time, Life, and Sports Illustrated—Joe McNally knows about light. He knows how to talk about
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Captured by the Light: The Essential Guide to Creating Extraordinary Wedding Photography
- ISBN13: 9780321646873
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IMAGINE THE ADVANTAGE YOU’D HAVE IF ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP WEDDING SHOOTERS SHARED HIS SECRETS WITH YOU
World-renowned wedding photographer, and one of the most widely acclaimed instructors in the industry today, David Ziser brings his no
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M. Thompson
Review by M. Thompson for Captured by the Light: The Essential Guide to Creating Extraordinary Wedding Photography
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I’ve scoured Amazon.com for wedding photography books that encompass the perfect blend of inspiration, technique and overall workflow. And finally, this book arrives. The layout is excellent, with logical chapter breaks, informative call-out boxes, and full sections devoted to natural light, on camera ETTL flash, off camera flash, ceremony workflow, reception workflow, and a few more. Also, some books are pretty dated as far as equipment, but the author refreshingly describes using his Canon 5D Mark II AND 7D. That might not seem like a big deal at first, but in many places he talks about leveraging the amazing high-ISO capabilities of cameras like this with your other settings. For example, in the off camera flash sections, he talks about the use of these high ISO settings to cut flash power by half, thus conserving battery life. There’s not a lot in here about pricing/contracts, but that’s not what I was looking for. If you know what you want to charge, but want to take your wedding photography to the next level, this is the book. Buy it. -
MaJPix
Review by MaJPix for Captured by the Light: The Essential Guide to Creating Extraordinary Wedding Photography
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I have been a professional photographer specializing in weddings for over 30 years and have NEVER read any book with such intense information! Check for yourself: search the other “instructional” books listed on Amazon, Borders or any bookstore and you’ll come to the same conclusion as me- there is nothing that even comes close to Mr. Ziser’s “how to” approach. We as photographers, enjoy delving into a beautiful image and explore the impact and composition, but rarely are provided the insight in order to obtain those outstanding results. David’s approach comes across to the reader as if he is in front of the class giving a seminar. The book is written in a very easy to understand and conversational language that any aspiring photographer to the most advanced can comprehend.So often, many books written by photographers illustrate specific points, but rarely do the accompanied images reflect such depth and dimension as Mr. Ziser’s. The quality of the photographs almost “jump off the page” and the cool thing is, he explains the technique to achieve it! There are many “starving” photographers out there, wondering why they can’t make a good living at their craft. By its very nature, once the photography improves, they can raise their prices with confidence. What David teaches in his book will make one’s images stand out! He opens the door to unbelievable lighting techniques that include everything from nature’s light to creativity with a simple “flashlight.”
After just reading a few pages, the reader will start to view wedding photography as truly an art. The information revealed in “Captured By the Light”, along with the beautiful photographs will never be out of date. The lessons in this book are timeless; because the most basic areas of photography that are discussed explore the simple rules of photography as an art. Some of these topics include: exposure, lighting, composition, choice of equipment and camera lens, etc. and they are covered in rich detail. I think this book will soon become the “bible” in photography from the advanced amateur to the seasoned professional photographer. I also would like to commend publishers on the outstanding quality of the book.
This publication is surely: “The essential guide to creating EXTRAORDINARY wedding photography!” The cost of this book is very reasonable, but what one takes from it- education, is priceless!
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Brent A. Thale
Review by Brent A. Thale for Captured by the Light: The Essential Guide to Creating Extraordinary Wedding Photography
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I don’t normally buy wedding photography books, but after flipping through this one I couldn’t resist getting it. The author, a former engineer, gives very specific advice on how to get certain looks, defines his terms, and shows example pictures both using and not using his techniques, very helpful.I liked the simple description of “loop” lighting and why it is desirable for this type of photography. The composition chapters, which very specifically list things to look for to set up a good shot, are also excellent. The author’s advice on how to work with assistants to dynamically position off-camera lights to add depth and separation is also great, although unfortunately this technique requires at least one full-time assistant, so don’t expect to duplicate the author’s work going solo.
Some minor nitpicks: I thought the advice for making a snoot out of a rolled-up magazine was silly, it looks unprofessional and there are many inexpensive, sleek-looking snoots on the market that don’t risk damaging the flash unit or present a fire hazard. Also, the author repeatedly uses the word “perspective” when I believe he means “cropping” or “framing” as on page 25 when he says he stays in one place while zooming to change perspective. Additionally, I thought his equipment recommendations were strange since they involve low-end zooms that change aperture based on zoom settings, I would think this would interfere with the manual flash control the author uses.
The book doesn’t focus on gear but be warned the author uses Canon equipment so don’t expect any Nikon CLS tips or anything but passing references to other brands. Surprisingly the author uses relatively inexpensive gear and recommends even cheaper gear to save money, which is fine I guess but considering that the author routinely shoots all-day events with two assistants, I would think the assistants’ salaries are going to dwarf any equipment expense and this topic is not really touched on.
Curiously missing from this book is any specific information of how the photos are post-processed in programs like Photoshop. Clearly some of the shots are retouched and the author occasionally refers to Photoshop, but there is no chapter on what his post-processing workflow is.
Anyway, this is an excellent book filled with beautiful photos and real-world advice from someone who has done the work. Highly recommended.
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HP
Review by HP for Captured by the Light: The Essential Guide to Creating Extraordinary Wedding Photography
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This book covers systematically all topics in wedding/portrait photography. This book is an inspiration source, a repetition of techniques, or truly an essential guide. You may need to be an intermediate photographer to get the most out of the book – know your gear and lightning/photography theories. However, it isn’t just simple to buy this book and become a wedding photographer. Most off-camera-flash setups in the book are based on an assistant that can move the light source around. Light stand can help, but can not replace the flexibility of a person, especially when time is limited during a wedding. This book constantly remains me about “situation awareness”: looking for backgrounds, compositions, geometry, lens choice, lightning/ambient, planning ahead – do it right first time and save lots of time in post-processing. Overall I am very happy to have this book. Highly recommended. Thank you David Ziser. -
Dennis R. Baker
Review by Dennis R. Baker for Captured by the Light: The Essential Guide to Creating Extraordinary Wedding Photography
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Would you like to learn how to create more beautifull and dramatic photographs of people? “Captured by the Light” will teach you! David Ziser has done a marvelous job of sharing his extensive knowledge and experience. The book is clearly written and logically organized. Photographs clearly illustrate the effect of each technique.This book is not just for wedding photographers; it is for anyone who photographs people. As David explains, the book is about photographing people; his subjects happen to be brides.
As a summary for wedding photographers, David walks you through a typical wedding, explaining how he shoots each segment–from preparations, the ceremony, formal photos, and the reception. You may not have a lighting assistant to help you position your main light, but David’s technique will help you decide how to best light your subject.
If you recently attended one of David Ziser’s “Digital Wakeup Call” seminars, you may assume that the book is simply a review of his on-stage presentation. That would be a mistake. This book is vastly more useful than the seminar presentation.
“Captured By the Light” is sure to help you create more beautifull and dramatic photographs of people.
Dennis Baker
Freelance Photographer
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Syl Arena 7:44 pm on October 16, 2010 Permalink
Review by Syl Arena for The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes
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SPOILER:
‘Hot Shoe Diaries’ is pure McNally and the best book I’ve ever read on flash photography. Two words: “buy it.”
LONG VERSION:
Joe McNally’s photo secrets were kicked out of the closet by the skeletons a long time ago. That’s great news for those of us who have become infatuated (and infuriated) with the use of small flash units. Joe’s latest book ‘The Hot Shoe Diaries’ is an exposé that tells all. There’s never been a book on flash photography that covers the subject so thoroughly, so beautifully and so humorously. I’m certain that ‘HSD’ will reign as the undisputed champion on flash photography for a long time.
The first thing to know about ‘HSD’ is that even Joe has a hard time taking himself seriously. Joe repeatedly demonstrates his understanding of where he stands in the universe by filling ‘HSD’ with memorable photos – such as the self-portrait where he uses a chicken as a lightstand. Joe’s humor is what sets ‘HSD’ apart from other photo books. It is what protects us from mind-numbing concepts, such as the “Inverse Square Law” (when did Congress pass that one anyway?).
Joe starts with the basics: gear, the fundamentals of digital photography and simple flash. He moves on to talk about one light shots. And two light shots. And lots-a-lights shots. He talks about where to put the lights and what to put between the lights and the subject. He shares a lifetime of stories. He inspires and encourages. Like I said, “pure McNally.”
As with his first book, ‘The Moment It Clicks’, Joe fills the covers of ‘HSD’ with amazing and beautiful photos. These are the heart of ‘HSD.’ It’s one thing to talk about flash photography. It’s entirely another to demonstrate it again and again with stunning images. [Thanks also to the book designer who ran a good number of photos as double-trucks, aka: two-page spreads.]
‘HSD’ is for photographers of all levels – novice to expert. If you read ‘Clicks’ and were among the few disappointed because it wasn’t a “how-to” book with lighting diagrams and such, ‘HSD’ is the book you were looking for. Plan on reading it again and again. I guarantee that every time you do, you’ll pick up something new.
SPECIAL NOTE To Non-Nikon Shooters – ‘HSD’ Is Non-Denominational
It’s no secret that Joe is a Nikon guy. Nikon terminology is used throughout the book. If you shoot something other than Nikon, think of it like an American talking to a Brit [if "elevator" = "lift", then "Auto FP" = "High-Speed Sync" and "Rear Curtain" = "2nd Curtain"]. Does this mean that ‘HSD’ is Nikon-specific? Absolutely not. As a lifelong Canon shooter, I’ve no hesitation in recommending this book to shooters of all denominations. The ideas and illustrations are universal.
Mark Gurfinkel 7:49 pm on October 16, 2010 Permalink
Review by Mark Gurfinkel for The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes
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Pros:
1. If you are photography junkie, the book fun to read – feels like you are having a couple of cold ones with a pro, and he is kind enough to tell you about his work.
2. If you already have a solid understanding of flash photography, the book will help you to get to the next level. [...]
3. This book is extra helpful for Nikon shooters.
Cons:
1. If you are a newbie, phrases like “so I just dialed up the shutter speed to kill off the extra ambient light I didn’t want in the shot” may not mean much. (not quoting here, just relaying what is sounds like)
The book does not contain many specific instructions a la Scott Kelby “the shutter speed controls the ambient light, and therefore when you reduce the shutter speed you are letting in additional ambient light which works great in certain applications for dimly lit scenes” right next to picture showing the difference. (Scott Kelby obviously sounds better than this)
Newbies want specific instructions with detailed settings information, and before and after samples! Most likely the book wasn’t written for newbies (like myself) so can’t really complain about it (I guess).
2. I love Nikon products just like any other loyal Nikonian, but sometimes the book sounds a bit like infomercial for Nikon products we may not need to get. For example, yes, SU-800 the wireless off-camera flash commander is great because it makes it very easy to control multiple flashes in multiple groups. Can’t my D90 do the same thing (albeit for fewer groups)? Yes, one can take the SU-800 off-camera and put it in direct line of sight with flashes while I can’t do that with D90 – ok, but then wouldn’t Pocket Wizards / Radio Poppers do a better job anyway? So isn’t the true reason Joe is constantly using the SU-800 is because his D3 can’t control the flashes wirelessly unlike D80, D90, D200, D300, and D700 models? So why don’t we see “if you are using D80, D90 etc. you may not need to drop $250 for SU-800 because of the reasons X,Y, and Z?”
3. I noticed many people left comments that Joe’s type of humor is similar to Scott Kelby’s in a bad way. That’s not true, the difference is huge. Scott Kelby is funny (not rolling on the floor funny, but he makes you smile consistently, and occasionally you can’t help but let out a giggle. Joe, with all due respect to his story telling abilities, is not funny.
Furthermore, Joe often sounds like a drunken sailor who recently went through company-mandated sensitivity training. Tolerable (frequent) uses of curse word replacements like “friggginnnnnnn”, but in my opinion neither cute nor cool.
In summary, if you basically know what you are doing and want to take your flash photography to the next level – get the book, it’s worth every penny. If you are a complete newbie like me – it’s a toss up.
Donald T. Lupo 8:45 pm on October 16, 2010 Permalink
Review by Donald T. Lupo for The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes
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I have been following Joe McNally via the Nikon DVDs featuring him and his incredible work. If you ever wanted to look right into the mind of this photographic genius and see how he thinks in regard to portable flash, this is the book for you.
In 25 years of photography both as a professional freelancer and full-time photographer, I have never learned as much in one sitting as I have from Joe McNally’s new book. He goes in-depth and answers every question you could possibly have and then goes way beyond into exquisite (never boring) detail.
I have been a fan and follower of the Strobist techniques and have longed for a clear, detailed explanation of the concepts in one place. This book does that and then delivers far more.
The cost of this book is worth more than any course you could take: it is a master course with a true master. If you love photography and want to learn how to make portable flash your main light source, buy this book today. I am so happy I did.
F64 8:50 pm on October 16, 2010 Permalink
Review by F64 for The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes
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I have mixed feelings about this book. For anyone who has had some experience with mixed lighting, color management, etc., it is written in a very “easy to understand” sort of style, and contains great food for thought. For a newer shooter, you will drown in this technically.
My three problems with it are that it is completely Nikon centric and he advocates using TTL or some form of it in every situation. That may work for Nikon gear, but I have found Canon’s flash exposures to be all over the place when left in “Auto” mode. You need to be aware that there is little to no guidance or advice other than that in this book. It is all about Nikon electronics and which buttons to push. If you are looking for advice on using speedlight flash manually, it’s not here.
I actually wondered as I was reading it whether Nikon sponsored the book. Way too much emphasis on Nikon gear and specific settings. As a result, it is less about small flash and more about about Nikon small flash and “CLS”. That should have been part of the book’s title I think.
And to be clear, this is not about Nikon vs Canon and who is better. It is irrelevant. I just think that to do a book like this, it should not rely so heavily on one manufacturer’s technical exposure system.
The second thing is that there are not enough scene diagrams. Joe describes the set-ups, but it would have been better to show more sketches as he did in just a few examples. Diagrams help to visualize the distances involved; whether he was working alone using stands for the remote flash, or having assistants moving and holding them, among other issues.
Lastly, he mentions issues repeatedly about remote speedlights not being able to see the signals, and methods he uses to solve it using extension cables on his “control” unit. He is using flashes that cost $400-500 each. What about Pocket Wizards? He hardly mentions them. Yes, they are expensive, but you can buy a set of three for what he spent on one flash and buy several manual flashes to go with them. If this book is supposed to be applicable to all photographers, I think that is an oversight that does not serve those photographers well.
If you have some location experience with mixed lighting, and if you can get past the fact that this is all about Nikon and letting the Nikon system determine your exposures, then by all means get the book.
D. Hobby 9:17 pm on October 16, 2010 Permalink
Review by D. Hobby for The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes
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Any time I see everyone giving something five stars with out a normal distribution of ratings, my internal alarms go off. I mean seriously, c’mon, right?
Wrong. The book is that good. Good enough to where I feel generationally slighted that I did not have a book like this when I was 20 years old and starting out as a photographer.
This is subject-specific, photographer-to-photographer teaching in its purest form. Hooray for Hot Shoe Diaries.