Speedliter's Handbook: Learning to Craft Light with Canon Speedlites Author: Syl Arena | Language: English | ISBN:
032171105X | Format: PDF
Speedliter's Handbook: Learning to Craft Light with Canon Speedlites Description
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.
- Paperback: 432 pages
- Publisher: Peachpit Press; 1 edition (December 29, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 032171105X
- ISBN-13: 978-0321711052
- Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
I've decided to write this review in terms of what I'm getting out of this book. To put it in context, I'm a Canon shooter (just stepped up to a 60D) and have, of course, Canon flashes. I've wanted to do more with flash, but the details (with explanations of why, not just how) of using the 580EXII (for example) are very hard to find. As a result, 90% of my images are landscapes and I've shied away from using flash. No more.
Until now, the only things I could find were a few online tutorials and a very good book by NK Guy. Although that book is excellent, this one is better (buy this one first, but if you can afford it, get both.)
Top Ten benefits (for me) of this book.
1. Great explanations of using light. By that I mean to create shadows and give definition. On the opening pages there's a picture of a white square against a black background. Next to it we can see that the square was simply a sheet of copy paper. We can see that because the author crumpled and then straightened it, giving it texture that the light could use to create those shadows and make it obvious. In two pictures and two paragraphs, the author said more about using light than hundreds of others tried to do elsewhere.
2. Great explanations on how to manipulate the buttons on the Canon flashes to make them do what you want. [Note: some of that is quite tricky, such as the need to hold a button down for 2 seconds in order to get into a specific configuration mode].
3. Great tips, such as telling you that if the flash modifiers are not 100% secured into the flash head, the controls won't work.
4. Excellent step by step instructions through the menus on both the flash units and the camera bodies.
5.
Speedliter's Handbook: Learning to Craft Light with Canon Speedlites Preview
Link
Please Wait...