I have many books published by Amherst Media, and I do not usually write reviews for the books I purchase (in case you decide to examine my "other" reviews). "Off-camera Flash" is a BIG disappointment, and I have requested a refund from Amazon. I am SHOCKED at the number of 5-star reviews for this book, and can only conclude that they are from friends/past students of the author(s) or complete amateurs to flash photography.
For starters, the majority of photos are all VERY DARK, and in my opinion, underexposed. As is typical when shooting outdoors with speedlites (off-camera portable flashes), photos are key-shifted with a darker background. However, in this execution, *both* the backgrounds and the subjects (models) are dark and underexposed. This is not "attractive" flash photography. The photos appear dark and lifeless.
A background should only be key-shifted down about 1/2 to 1 stop from the ambient light. The examples provided appear to be at least 2 stops under, and what's worse, the model/subject is also at least 1/2 to 2/3 stops underexposed in most cases.
There are images in this book where the photographer has walked into the ocean in 4-feet of water to capture an image (fully dressed), and even then the model is underexposed! There is a section on macro photography in the book and these photos are excellent, however.
This book provides some basic advice/suggestions on triggering equipment (cheap radio triggers), and a handful of different light modifiers that can be used. Other than that, you will be left to go out and experiment completely on your own. In my opinion, a much better choice would be "Minimalist Lighting" by Kirk Tuck (also published by Amherst Media), or if you want to be REALLY wowed, do a Google search for "David Hobby" and purchase his "Strobist Lighting Seminar" DVD series. It's expensive, but worth every penny.
Get more detail about Off-Camera Flash: Creative Techniques for Digital Photographers.
No comments:
Post a Comment