The Speedlight Studio Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle version is available to download in english. Read online anytime anywhere directly from your device. Click on the download button below to get a free pdf file of The Speedlight Studio book. This book definitely worth reading, it is an incredibly well-written.
In this book, Michael Mowbray shows readers how to set up a completely speedlight-based portrait photography studio. He goes in depth regarding gear and techniques, providing photographers with scores of example portraits and lighting diagrams to make it easy to follow along and replicate the portrait lighting effects that he shows. Readers will learn about selecting speedlights (Mowbray covers Canon, Nikon, and third-party units), learning standard operations, and working with the units on the camera’s hot shoe (a connectivity device on top of the camera) or in the periphery for more flexible, controllable results. Readers will learn why modifying the light from speedlights will produce a lot more bang for their buck and will also discover a host of tools—commercial and DIY—that can be used to change the direction, color, and quality of light for the ultimate artistic control.
On-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography by Neil Van Niekerk Pdf
If they aren't carrying much equipment and the natural lighting turns, photographers tend to reach for the on-camera flash button. These intense light sources can prove invaluable, but only if you know how to use them effectively. In the hands of an inexperienced photographer, on-camera flash will produce images with harsh shadows, washed out skin tones, cavernous black backgrounds and other unappealing visual characteristics. In On-Camera Flash the pitfalls photographers new to speedlights often encounter are outlined, ensuring readers can avoid them.
For decades, professional photographers have been using large, expensive studio lighting setups for their shoots. While powerful and effective, they have certain limitations. A new generation of photographers has embraced speedlights, battery powered flashes that can mount on your camera or be triggered remotely. After years of using studio lights, Michael Mowbray switched over to speedlights. He started gradually but soon realized he could shoot nearly everything with speedlights. Specializing in wedding and senior portraits, Mowbray found freedom and renewed creativity with these lights. As he states in the introduction, he no longer chases light, he creates it. The book begins by outlining the core concepts for using speedlights as a primary light source. Knowing how light works allows you to control it. The same goes for your camera. Understanding how the flash and the camera interact using the camera’s metering system is the center of Mowray’s speedlight technique. It’s also important to understand how your camera and flashes communicate while they aren’t attached to one another. The ability to have remote flashes tucked into unique places for a shoot opens up the lighting options available to you. In addition to wedding and senior portrait photography, Mowbray works in fashion, commercial and family photography. The versatility of speedlights allows a professional photographer to work in many genres. After covering the core concepts, the book presents 60 of Mowbray’s world class images. Each photo is accompanied by a list of the equipment used for capturing the shot, alternate related images and a lighting diagram. One of the major advantages of a speedlight portrait system is that it allows you create the light you want virtually anywhere. Interesting unlit nooks magically become great photo settings. A common theme across much of Mowbray’s location work is using speedlights to create light and contrast where none currently exist. A shoot may require that you work at less than ideal times of the day. It is possible create your own sunrise, shoot at night when there is little natural light, or make the daytime look like night. This flexibility opens up the number and type of clients your business can handle. Attention to detail with the placement of lights can be the difference between a run-of-the-mill portrait and a striking, award winning image. Mowbray provides great detail on what went into making each of his photographs. Don’t get stuck in a rut using the same modifiers and the same lighting over and over again. It may work fine but it will ultimately limit you. Clients like choices, especially when they are investing a lot of money. Choices can often lead to bigger sales as clients feel the need to order more of the varied looks and styles. Working in edgier lighting styles and clothing combinations, unique backgrounds or locations can expand the variety of shots you get from a session. Whether going for that classic studio look or crafting something very dramatic and modern, speedlights give you the ability to improvise and expand your techniques. While Mowbray’s main focus is the power and flexibility of speedlights, he also provides great tips for composition and location scouting. Also necessary is the ability to improvise on the spot if your planned location doesn’t work out, like his rained out plans for an outdoor bridal shoot. While creative use of speedlights gives a lot of control over the image created, there are some instances where digital postproduction adds something extra that really makes the photo pop. Mowbray gives a number of examples where editing helped make the final image exactly what he and the client were looking for. Containing lots of images, diagrams, and detailed text, this book provides readers with a thorough understanding of the benefits of shooting with speedlights.
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, YOU’LL LEARN ALL THREE ASPECTS OF WHAT IT TAKES TO CREATE STUNNING PORTRAITS (HINT: IT’S NOT JUST THE LIGHTING) Scott Kelby, the world’s #1 best-selling author of photography books, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Photoshop User magazine, and Publisher of the just-released Light It magazine, has reinvented how lighting books are written by finally revealing the entire process from start to finish. You see everything from the complete lighting setup (and all the gear used), to the shoot (including all the camera settings and a contact sheet of the progression of the shoot), to the all-important part that most books don’t dare include–the post-processing and retouching in Photoshop. This book also breaks new ground in the visual way it teaches you the lighting setup. There aren’t any sketches or 3D models–you see the lighting layout in a full-page photo, taken from above during the live shoot, so you can see exactly where everything’s positioned (the subject, the photographer, the lighting, the background–you name it–you see it all). Plus, you’ll see side, over-the-shoulder, and more behind-the-scenes views, so you can absolutely nail the lighting every time. LEARN THE LIGHTING SETUPS THE PROS USE Each year, Scott trains thousands of professional photographers during his Light It. Shoot It. Retouch It. LIVE! seminar tour and now, for the first time ever, he’s taken that incredibly popular style of learning and put in into book form. Now everyone can have a real-world reference for getting the same looks today’s clients are clamoring for. You’ll learn: The step-by-step layouts for creating the most-requested and sought-after lighting looks How to get more out of one light than you ever thought you could (this is worth it alone!) How to control and shape your light without breaking the bank The camera settings, gear, and power settings for every shot The retouching techniques the pros really use to make their subjects look their very best How to retouch hair, eyes, lips, skin, and lots of other little retouching tricks that make a really big difference How to create high-contrast portrait effects without buying expensive plug-ins A host of insider tricks, invaluable shortcuts, and kick-butt special effects to give you a real advantage over the competition Plus, Scott includes a special bonus chapter that shows how to create these same studio looks using off-camera hot shoe fl ashes and the modifi ers made for them. There’s never been a book like it.
What’s your definition of a photo studio? Is it a room with a white seamless backdrop or a cyc wall? Maybe it’s simply anywhere you’re in control of the lighting. In a perfect world, where every day is a breezy 72 degrees with partial cloud coverage, we would all have a 5,000-square-foot studio–and the entire catalog of B&H™ in our equipment lockups. But the reality is that you may have an outdated DSLR with two decent lenses (which took you several years to save up for), and all you have at your disposal is an unfinished basement, your garage, or the empty conference room at your office. That’s where Studio Anywhere comes in. With photographer Nick Fancher as your guide, you’ll learn how to get portfolio-ready photos while working in some of the most problematic scenarios imaginable. Whether shooting a corporate portrait, a test shoot with a model, or a promo shoot with a band, you’ll discover that most of the time, there’s no need for an expensive studio–you just have to get creative. Studio Anywhere is a resource for photographers to learn through behind-the-scenes photos and lighting diagrams from a range of photo shoots–but it doesn’t stop there. Because directing a photo shoot involves more than simply knowing how to wield a camera or process a raw file, Nick also lets you in on the aesthetic decisions he makes in his signature photos, inspiring you to develop your own vision. And, finally, he describes his Lightroom and Photoshop workflow so you can learn how to deftly navigate post-processing. Shows how to create images with minimal equipment that is within reach of anyone’s budget Takes you through the entire shoot, from concept to lighting to exposure to post-processing in Lightroom and Photoshop Teaches how to build a portfolio without a dedicated studio space
Mastering Digital Flash Photography by Chris George Pdf
The ability of the digital camera to produce pictures under almost any lighting conditions has not led to the demise of the flashgun. A flash is still found built into every camera you can buy, and there is a healthy market in ever-more sophisticated accessory strobes. But the role of the flash has changed significantly in the digital era, and to achieve the best results, photographers need to re-learn when, and when not, to use this integral tool. Just as importantly, digital technology gives photographers the ability to review recorded pictures instantly, so advanced flash techniques that were once beyond the scope of all but the most dedicated professional can now be achieved with ease by anyone. Once you know what is possible, it is simply a matter of continuing to shoot, adjusting the settings until the desired effect is achieved. Mastering Digital Flash Photography explores these new possibilities in detail, and is the first book to explain how flash can be fully utilized by modern photographers of all skill levels.
Lighting & Design for Portrait Photography by Anonim Pdf
Some photographers make portraits that we can’t take our eyes off of. These images create mood, evoke emotion, and pique our curiosity. They have that certain something that other portraits seem to lack. These rare images are memorable—the kind of shots that clients want and photographers strive to emulate. These portraits are technically precise and have style. Neil van Niekerk is a big name in the portrait and wedding photography industry. His masterful photographs get a reaction, and he’s devoted to helping others create compelling portraits for their clients. In this book, van Niekerk shows readers strategies for creating a wide range of portrait looks (romantic, fun, sweet, dramatic, glamorous, or moody) in lackluster, middle-of-nowhere locales, small home studios, big expanses, and even on rooftops. Starting with traditional lighting and posing strategies and moving through “spicier” varieties, he shows readers how integrating specialized lighting (rim lighting, backlighting, flare, and low-key lighting—using natural light and artificial sources) and compositional approaches (shallow depth of field, lens compression, and unorthodox perspectives) into their creative approach can allow them to take full creative control over their portrait-taking process so that they’re able to deliver incredible shots of their clients in any photographic conditions.
Crafting the Natural Light Look by Sandra Coan Pdf
Learn to use a one-light approach for recreating the look of beautiful, natural window light for portraiture!
At its best, natural light is magical for portraiture. The quality of natural light streaming through a window can be extraordinary—gorgeous, wrapping light that flatters your subject and can be used to create multiple looks. For years, photographer Sandra Coan exclusively used natural light in her portraiture work. And while the results could be magnificent, she also learned that she could not rely on it to build a business and create consistently great photographs. That’s because natural light is frustratingly unpredictable: sometimes it rains, sometimes the light is too harsh when your clients are available, and sometimes—depending on the time of year—it’s just too dark.
In order to grow her business with dependably great results and a high level of professionalism, Sandra finally decided to tackle artificial light. She spent years honing her ability to use artificial light to recreate the look of beautiful, natural light. And now, with a simple one-light approach, she produces “natural” light whenever and wherever she likes, creating great portraits in any situation, at any time of day or night. It’s an approach that has led to a successful career spanning two decades and a signature look to her work. Here, in Crafting the Natural Light Look, Sandra shares her knowledge and techniques so that you, too, can learn to quickly and dependably create the look of natural light in your own portraiture. Unlike other books that address artificial light, Sandra’s tone is conversational and easygoing, and she does not cover everything there is to know about artificial light. In fact, there are no two- or three-light setups here. Instead, Sandra’s method is straightforward and easily actionable. She covers:
• The key characteristics of light (intensity, distance, direction)
• Equipment: strobes, flashes, light meters, triggers, receivers, modifiers, reflectors, and light stands—including what she uses, and what she recommends if starting out on a budget
• Shutter speed and its relationship with artificial light
• Where to position the light and the subject for consistent, flattering results
• Creating four lighting patterns and looks with one setup—flat light, loop light, side light, and backlight
• Using a light meter to determine the perfect flash power (whether you shoot film or digital)
• Working with individuals, families, and groups
• The role of shadows in its contribution to the drama and mood of a portrait
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• What she does in post-production (very little!)
Finally, in a series of case studies, she brings it all together and shares her thought process as she works through a number of real-world portrait shoots from start to finish. If you’re a “natural light photographer” who’s been either struggling with flash or reluctant to learn it at all, Crafting the Natural Light Look is exactly the book you need to improve the quality and consistency of your portraiture.
Direction & Quality of Light by Neil van Niekerk Pdf
Providing readers with a study of learning how to turn poorly lit images into finely crafted, masterfully lit photographs, this guidebook instills photographers with the self-confidence to think on their feet and photograph any portrait subject anywhere. Acclaimed photographer Neil van Niekirk presents seven distinctly different lighting scenarios—available light, exposure metering, a touch of flash, bounced on-camera flash, off-camera flash, video light, and hard sunlight—to show readers how to manipulate the direction and quality of light, the subject’s and photographer’s position, and numerous other variables so as to turn a bad image into a stunning, professional-level portrait. Packed with dozens of instructional, full-color photos, this work also features 10 sample photo sessions, allowing readers the opportunity to see the seven lighting scenarios put to practice.
Now that you’ve had your DSLR for a while, are you ready to take a much closer look at what creating a great image is all about? It’s all about light! The ability to see, influence, modify, control, and create light will take your images from snapshots to great shots! In Lighting for Digital Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots, photographer and bestselling author Syl Arena begins with a primer on light itself—how to see its direction, intensity, color, contrast, and hardness—and quickly moves on to discussions of shooting both indoors and outdoors in the many different conditions of natural or man-made light. Then the book digs in to begin creating light with photographic lights, whether that’s small flash or big strobe, the pop-up flash on your DSLR or continuous lights. Follow along with Syl and you will: Learn the basics (and beyond) of light modifiers that make light bigger and softer, such as umbrellas, softboxes, beauty dishes, and diffusion panels Understand how to control and shape the light itself with flags, grids, snoots, and the zoom function on your flash Appreciate the color temperature of light (whether that’s the sun, a light bulb, or a flash), and how to influence it with white balance settings on your camera and colored gels on your flash Learn how to take great pictures across many different genres, from product and still life images, to simple (and not so simple) portraits and group shots With Lighting for Digital Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots, you’ll learn not only how light behaves—you’ll learn all you need to know to get started on the journey of creating and controlling light in order to make great shots. And once you’ve got the shot, show it off! Join the book’s Flickr group, share your photos, and discuss how you get great shots at flickr.com/groups/lightingfromsnapshotstogreatshots.
Mastering Nikon Speedlights is the most comprehensive guide available for anyone using or wanting to learn more about the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS). Starting with an exploration of how to work with light, the book teaches you everything you need to know about understanding the direction and intensity of light, using light meters and metering modes, controlling exposure, and much more. You’ll learn the specifics of how to use the full range of Nikon Speedlights and accessories, including past and current models of cameras and CLS compatible flashes—and in the process you’ll find out how to get the best shots with your gear, whether you have a whole box of equipment or just the basics. The book includes practical, real-world photo shoots—portraits, action shots, and product photography—starting with one light and gradually working up to multiple lights so you can observe the progression of the light from one flash to many. No matter what your subject or shooting scenario, Mastering Nikon Speedlights is an essential resource that teaches you how to produce the light you need to achieve great results. Offers a thorough discussion of the qualities of light, how the camera measures light, and the settings needed to record an image with proper exposure Provides a complete overview of all the components that make up the Nikon Creative Lighting System, outlining how to use the different Speedlights and accessories to correspond with each camera’s unique capabilities Covers how to use the Nikon Speedlights off the camera using the Advanced Wireless Lighting (AWL) features built into the Creative Lighting System Features several examples of real photo shoots, showing you how to take great photos in a variety of situations, building from one flash up to multiple flashes
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.
Flash! presents a fascinating cultural history of flash photography, from its mid-nineteenth century beginnings to the present day. All photography requires light, but the light of flash photography is quite distinctive: artificial, sudden, shocking, intrusive, and extraordinarily bright. Associated with revelation and wonder, it has been linked to the sublimity of lightning. Yet it has also been reviled: it's inseparable from anxieties about intrusion and violence, it creates a visual disturbance, and its effects are often harsh and create exaggerated contrasts. Flash! explores flash's power to reveal shocking social conditions, its impact on the representation of race, its illumination of what would otherwise remain hidden in darkness, and its capacity to put on display the most mundane corners of everyday life. It looks at flash's distinct aesthetics, examines how paparazzi chase celebrities, how flash is intimately linked to crime, how flash has been used to light up - and interrupt - countless family gatherings, how flash can 'stop time' allowing one to photograph rapidly moving objects or freeze in a strobe, and it considers the biggest flash of all, the atomic bomb. Examining the work of professionals and amateurs, news hounds and art photographers, photographers of crime and of wildlife, the volume builds a picture of flash's place in popular culture, and its role in literature and film. Generously illustrated throughout, Flash! brings out the central role of this medium to the history of photography and challenges some commonly held ideas about the nature of photography itself.
Following up on the great success of The Moment It Clicks and The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes, legendary magazine photographer Joe McNally takes us on another memorable ride with Sketching Light, another trip into the land of light--but this time running the gamut from small flash to big flash, and everywhere in between. Of course, Joe includes coverage of Nikon Speedlights, but he also covers big flash, as well as "in-between" lights as the Elinchrom Quadra. The exploration of new technology, as well as the explanation of older technology. No matter what equipment Joe uses and discusses, the most important element of Joe's instruction is that it is straightforward, complete, and honest. No secrets are held back, and the principles he talks about apply generally to the shaping and quality of light, not just to an individual model or brand of flash. He tells readers what works and what doesn't via his let's-see-what-happens approach, he shows how he sets up his shots with plentiful sketches and behind-the-scenes production shots, and he does it all with the intelligence, clarity, and wisdom that can only come from shooting in the field for 30 years for the likes of National Geographic, Time, Life, and Sports Illustrated--not to mention the wit and humor of a clearly warped (if gifted) mind.