Book recommendations

[coolie21]

Hi

I got The Hotshoe Diaries (http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Shoe-Diaries-Light-Flashes/dp/0321580141) by Joe McNally as part of my Christmas present. Looks like an excellent guide to flash

It would be even better if you were a Nikon shooter, as all his examples are Nikon, but the principles are cross platform.

If anyone can recommend other books please post here. If there is a book recommendation section on the forum I must have missed it

[bigdazzler]

I just got a copy of this as well, havent had the time to read it though yet. On the to do list ;)

As for other books, I recommend;

*Understanding Exposure - Bryan Peterson
*Understanding Shutter Speed - Bryan Peterson
*Lightroom2 For Digital Photographers - Scott Kelby
*PS CS4 For Digital Photographers - Scott Kelby.

Theyre not all flash books, but all great resources nonetheless.

[ausguitarman]

Thanks guys.

I've got a couple of those but just ordered Lightroom and Hot Shoe.

[Jcas]

I wasn't keen on Hot Shoe Diaries, too Nikon specific, i sold my copy and have this (http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Arts_Photography/Photography/Techniques/Darkroom/9781933952444/) on order, it won't be released until end of Jan though.

Also i am really enjoying a book called On Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography by Neil Van Nierkerk.

Even though the title says wedding photography it is not focussed on that, its just that its the line of work the author is in and thats why he uses some wedding shots for examples.

For me just trying to familiarise myself with flash technique i find it very understandable and informative.

[clm738]

Hi Julie, I wasn't keen on Hot shoe Diaries either. Thanks for the heads up on the Canon book. Will get it ASAP.

[coolie21]

Fair enough re the Nikon bias, but there is still a lot to learn in the book and I love his writing style. Will also check out the canon book, but save yourself some $$ and get it here (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9781933952444/Mastering-Canon-EOS-Flash-Photography)

[Jcas]

Fair enough re the Nikon bias, but there is still a lot to learn in the book and I love his writing style. Will also check out the canon book, but save yourself some $$ and get it here (http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9781933952444/Mastering-Canon-EOS-Flash-Photography)

When i ordered mine at Fishpond as a pre order it was 45.96 so that's all i have been charged for it, however Fishpond will price match.

[coolie21]

When i ordered mine at Fishpond as a pre order it was 45.96 so that's all i have been charged for it, however Fishpond will price match.

Fishpond link showing 79.95 now...

[Jcas]

Yes i noticed that price, glad mine was a pre order.

I know that if you find it cheaper elsewhere and send fishpond the link along with their link on the same book that they will price cut.

Here (http://www.fishpond.com.au/helpdesk.php?question_id=215) is where they mention it on their site.

[kaiser]

Also i am really enjoying a book called On Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography by Neil Van Nierkerk.

Even though the title says wedding photography it is not focussed on that, its just that its the line of work the author is in and thats why he uses some wedding shots for examples.

For me just trying to familiarise myself with flash technique i find it very understandable and informative.

Another vote for this book. It is very well written, easy to understand and has a lot of examples photos with all the setting provided and a run down on how the shot was achieved. Even though it is primarily dealing with on camera lighting techniques, this guy will teach you everything you'd want to know about bouncing TTL flash. I think I've got more out of this book than i did Joe McNally's Hot Shoe Diaries.

For anyone looking for alternative books on CS4- I just purchased:

Adobe Photoshop CS4 for Photographers by Martin Evening.

It goes into a lot more detail than the Kelby book and comes with a DVD with many handy reference guides and video tutorials.

Also, being a Photoshop noob, I found this book helpful also:

The Adobe Photoshop CS4 Layers Book by David Lynch.

It focuses on layers,masks and selections if you're like me and not used to doing those sort of things.

[DAdeGroot]

Light, Science and Magic (3rd Ed). Hunter, Biver & Fuqua.

It's *the* lighting theory textbook.

[maccaroneski]

Does it read "dry" like a textbook though Dave? I've been thinking about picking this one up.

[DAdeGroot]

Does it read "dry" like a textbook though Dave? I've been thinking about picking this one up.

Not particularly. Ok, it's no Joe McNally production (I really liked "The Moment it Clicks"), but it's fairly easy going and covers lighting all manner of objects (not just people). Master this stuff and you're set.

Check it out on Google Books (http://books.google.com/books?id=QzLuYhpQmocC&printsec=frontcover&dq=light,+science+and+magic&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false).

[maccaroneski]

So I decided to take the recommendation and pick up a copy of Light, Science & Magic, and am browsing over at Seekboks (using the site link of course) so I thought I'd click on the "photography" category to see if tehre was anything else on offer.

Got some interesting results, to say the least:

http://www.seekbooks.com.au/popcat.asp?storeurl=seekau&PageNo=1&catmain=PHO000000&catsub=&catminor=&catmode=1&a=a

[MrJorge]

Interesting to hear that about Hotshoe Diaries (Nikon focus). I wasn't aware of that and was thinking of it for one of my next book purchases.

Surely it can't be only suitable for Nikon shooters? I've heard only good things about that book...

[coolie21]

Got some interesting results, to say the least:

http://www.seekbooks.com.au/popcat.asp?storeurl=seekau&PageNo=1&catmain=PHO000000&catsub=&catminor=&catmode=1&a=a

" With a mass of professional photographs that pull no punches and specially commission ...."

So you ordered? :D:D:D

[maccaroneski]

This conversation is a slippery slope... although there's probably a chapter in the book which suggests that it should be... :)

[abitfishy]

" With a mass of professional photographs that pull no punches and specially commission ...."

So you ordered? :D:D:D

It's out of stock, bummer. No pun intended. :th3:

[happy snap]

Hey guys,

i read the following book and thought that it was incredible.....

would definitely recommend it......

On Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography

Think that most people on the forum that read it thought same.....:)

[DesmondD]

Hotshoe diaries is a good read - but it does have a few mistakes that I've listed here (http://desmond-downs.blogspot.com/2010/02/professionals-make-mistakes-too.html)

[ehor]

I know it's not a book but it is for free. Check out some of Frank's videos on YouTube :)
http://www.youtube.com/user/FrankDoorhof