Understanding Flash Photography: How to Shoot Great Photographs Using Electronic Flash
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At a glance
- Condition
- New
- Dimensions
- 8.54 x 0.43 x 10.98 in
- Weight
- 1.46 lb
- Publisher
- Amphoto Books
- Publication date
- August 30, 2011
- Edition
- Original
- Language
- English
Description
From a master of professional photography, a book that explores the exciting possibilities of artificial light. This guide to on- and off-camera flash picks up where Peterson's previous title, Understanding Exposure, left off-- helping free photographers from the limitations of auto to get the images they want when natural light isn't enough. For the many amateur photographers afraid to venture past natural lighting, here is the book that will finally help them master artificial light. In his trademark easy-to-understand style, Bryan Peterson explains not only how flash works, but how to go beyond TTL automatic flash exposure to master manual flash, allowing readers to control the quality, shape and direction of light for a perfect exposure, every time. Read more
Specs 9
| Publisher | Amphoto Books |
|---|---|
| Publication date | August 30, 2011 |
| Edition | Original |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 160 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0817439560 |
| ISBN-13 | 69 |
| Item Weight | 1.46 pounds |
| Dimensions | 8.54 x 0.43 x 10.98 inches |
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Top Amazon Reviews
Finally, I understand how flash works!
Format: Paperback
I have read many of Bryan Peterson's books, mostly because I like his style. Of course, they are all helpful as well, with Understanding Exposure probably being his best book. Well, this book is right up there in terms of helpfulness! I'm an amateur photographer: I really love photography; but I have a day job, so photography is only a hobby. I've read dozens of books, and I like to think I understand quite a bit about photography. But somehow, flash was always a bit mystifying. I understood some of the basics: flash is basically instantaneous, so flash exposure is entirely controlled by aperture and not shutter speed; however, beyond a certain speed, the sensor is never fully exposed, so you need a special mode (High-Speed Sync) to be able to use flash. But I never really understood what was going on with my flash: it gives me distances, and zooms, and power levels ... how was I supposed to use that information? Sure, I could use the automatic TTL mode and not worry about it. But if you're a true amateur, you want to know whats going on in order to experiment creatively. And I never quite got it. This book explains it well and painlessly! In fact, it's so easy, I'm amazed none of the other books I've read have explained it. After explaining the basics, he goes on to explore some advanced topics. Not as many as some might like, and probably not in enough detail to make you an expert. But I don't care, and you shouldn't either. This is a book about UNDERSTANDING flash photography, not about mastering techniques. I went in confused and I came out feeling that I now understand flash. I can now read more advanced books, or just experiment and learn through experience. Either way, I'm much better off than I was before. And all thanks to Peterson. I highly recommend this book!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2011 by Julian Velasco
Great book - with the customary Peterson clarity
Format: Paperback
I read the latest Bryan Peterson book from cover to cover within moments of its arrival at my mailbox. I have now also read the reviews and I agree wholeheartedly with the favorable ones and must respectfully disagree with the negative reviews. First, Bryan Peterson is the most understandable, approachable photography author in circulation today. His new book on flash is no different - completely understandable, completely approachable for novice and enthusiast alike. I am a Nikon shooter; if you own a Nikon SB900, the book is a masterpiece. If you don't however, I disagree with the critics who suggest that the book has no application. The thesis of the book is straightforward: compose the shot in full manual mode in your camera, and add light back manually (not in TTL mode) to light the subject. How much light, Bryan suggests, is based on the distance of your flash to your subject. In an SB900, once you determine the distance (you can eyeball it most of the time), the SB900 allows you to input that distance (as well as your ISO and f-stop based on your creative juices when you composed the shot) and as a result, the SB900 will then adjust the flash output for you. The SB800 will also do so for you, as well will newer manual flashes such as the Lumopro. I assume the various Canon speed lite flashes will also do so. If so, great. If not, then the thesis of the book is simply to use full manual mode, and by playing around a bit, the Canon user can determine what level of power matches the distance and subject. I do not read the book as limited to SB900's anymore than I read Syl Arena's book as only for Canon users. I recommend this book as the latest in the string of Peterson books for the everyman photographer.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2011 by M. Shaiken
Great Intro on Flash, But...
Format: Paperback
While apparently geared towards digital technology, it really feels like a book about film photography with digital as an afterthought. Fortunately, that is a small flaw in an otherwise educating book on flash. First, the concepts here don't pertain a whole lot to the camera anyway and the concepts of exposure and flash settings are the same no matter what camera you use. The bigger problem comes with regard to manual flash and the behaviors observed on today's cameras. Today's flashes don't necessarily have all the manual behaviors this book talks about. In today's automated world, the manual modes on a flash still assume the user is dumb and don't give you nearly the flexibility that the author assumes you'll have here. This really isn't a flaw with the book as it is a flaw with the companies building our flashes and cameras. Unfortunately, I feel that the author should account for that to some extent. I do love that the book at least goes over the concepts very clearly. The focus is on using your flash in manual mode, and that is useful even if it is difficult to implement with your own flash. It took me three days of reading my flash's manual and internet forums to get to a point where I could make the book work for me (again a flaw of my flash and its manual). Once I got to that point, I find that everything in this book is spot on. The concepts are useful. I especially like the discussion on essentially removing the ambient light from your photos. I do question a little bit of the books organization. The discussion on power and guide numbers would have simplified the challenges I faced at the beginning if they would have been placed at the beginning of the book. The author calls the concepts advanced, but I think that Guide Numbers are essential to understand flash from the start. Last, going back to digital vs. film. In the limited discussion on automatic flash settings, the author discusses TTL, which really doesn't exist anymore as the author describes. I don't think it is a big deal as the current iteration on TTL tends to work well enough as described in digital, but it does have its limits. The author does acknowledge that todays dSLRs have better capability in low light and gives examples of when flash shouldn't be used. As a user who tended to be scared of flash, I was aware of these abilities, but it can be just as easy for many users to use a flash for everything. I can't believe how often I see flashes at baseball games. The author does a good job of also showing how a flash can be used in situations where it may not be technically necessary but can hugely improve a photo. The other item I question is the emphasis on items such as gels to color flash. My intuition is that there is value in the discussions, but the use isn't as necessary as it was during the film era. For one, digital editing allows us to shift the color of our images. Unchanged flash in combination with photo editing seems like it offers the most flexibility. Ultimately, I give this book 4 stars because it feels like it could use just a bit more updating for its time (a book in 2011 needs a bit more digital emphasis). Never-the-less as a reference on Flash photography, it is a great starting point. As in any book on photography and in any learning of techniques, I suggest supplementing it with internet forums, blogs, etc. I also suggest reading up on your own camera's flash as well as possible. Last, I wouldn't hesitate in buying an old flash (with care to ensure compatibility with your camera and its electric circuits). I picked up an old Pentax flash for my Pentax camera and found the concepts and use a lot easier to follow. It doesn't have to be the most powerful flash, but it will help to understand the concepts so that the use of your primary flash is much easier. Have fun... This book has made flash photography a joy for me. Before I always felt it was a chore. That is worth the price alone.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2012 by Erik J. Malvick
Must Have for Any Photographer
Format: Kindle
I have read at least 10 different photography books, watched hours of Youtube videos, read articles, blogs, etc. and nothing was as helpful as Bryan Peterson's books. His Understanding Exposure is very well written and after reading it I understood exactly how to use manual mode and make great photographs. This book is just as good as the other and after only a chapter I already had a much better understand of flash. His writing style is easy to understand and he reinforces key concepts in such a way that you cannot help but learn them. I highly recommend any new photographer read both of these books before wasting time or money on anything else.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2017 by Photoculturist
Great book for when you just don't get it--now you will!
Format: Kindle
I seem to be able to handle my Nikon D800 in manual mode just fine, but when it came to the Speedlight SB-910, I just had some kind of mental block. It seem that every time I tried to read a book about flash, or the product manual, or comments online, I would just get more confused. It only took a couple of hours of reading this book for me to "get it". Soon after I was shooting with my camera AND the flash in manual mode. It was easy the way he explained it. Those people who have criticized the book for not having enough depth or not covering certain subjects, need to realize that sometimes you need a book that makes the subject simpler, instead of more complicated. I can read one of those other books now and understand it. Thanks to the author for realizing that this approach was just what we needed.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2013 by Deanna Zeck
The Basics with Illustrated Examples
Format: Kindle
I bought all the recommended classics -- Neil van Niekirk's books, Light Science and Magic. They quickly got beyond my beginner skill level. Peterson's book, however, was just the ticket and is the one I keep coming back to. He starts from square one and breaks down the fundamentals to show how they work. He gives lots of examples of where to use flash, too, to supplement natural light, or to add a little sparkle, or to create a shadow. This book sticks to one beginner's task: how to use an external flash well. That's enough to master without having to go into gels, reflectors, light modifying gadgets, stand lights, positioning, and all the various permutations of multiple wireless flashes and associated devices. I think Peterson is right, too, about not always depending on automatic flash settings. It's good to know some work arounds for when your camera & flash system don't give you the result you're looking for.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2013 by Stepper
Husband's scribe
Format: Paperback
Ordered this for my photographer-husband who had recently attended a seminar in which Bryan Peterson was a presenter on the subject of understanding and using your flash. He anticipated the book would cover much more than just the presentations at the seminar. Though my beloved appreciated Peterson at the seminar, he loves the book, telling me that Peterson says some of the same things (expected) but "in a different way and from a different perspective" than he did in the seminar. Reading the book he has learned some things he did not know, come to understand some things he has not pursued with his flash, and has not felt like the seminar was just a replay of the book's contents. He is really enjoying, being challenged by the content, learning as he reads and making additional application. He has commented that Peterson is a good writer. Though this may come off to some readers as a review of the seminar vs the book, it is not. The comparison actually reveals that Bryan Peterson is skilled in his subject and a very good teacher. When one is able to communicate a concept using different examples and from different perspectives, he broadens the follower's comprehension of a subject. Peterson speaks effectively to those at differing skill levels. I know he rates the book and author as 5 stars.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2013 by sue
Great intro to flash photography
Format: Kindle
Mr. Peterson has self-admittedly become a convert to the use of flash lighting (which is really just another form of 'available lighting') instead of an 'available lighting' purist. He explains the use of flash lighting with somewhat far-fetched and comical analogies that are nevertheless memorable and accurate. It fills the bill as far as a teaching book is concerned. My only quibble is that he almost exclusively an adherent of using the flash in manual mode, which is a good way to use flash, but which shortchanges the ease of use of automatic flash modes for many operators. This is especially the case for when the flash is used in bounce mode, with modifiers, with gels, etc. A photographer with Mr. Peterson's experience and daily camera work can use a manual flash setting as second nature, but I think he would be doing students a favor by giving more examples of using auto-mode flash. All that being said, if you want a clear explanation of the mechanics of flash photography, then Mr. Peterson is an excellent teacher!
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Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2013 by Amazon Customer