For me, photography is about light. Without it, it is kind of hard to make a photograph. With the large number of people getting into the paid photography arena without formal training in the craft of lighting and photography, I always find it good to be able to share great insight into photographic techniques. A new book out by Neil van Neikerk does just that. In his book On-Camera Flash: Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography, Neikerk discusses how to better use what is the only light source many new photographers have available to them.
The following review was posted on DWF and I think sums up the important information reviewed in his book.
“The techniques he shares in this book and on his blog are not earth shattering for anyone who uses on-camera flash regularly and creatively, but are a well thought out, systematic approach to lighting using one of the most basic, portable, and easy to use lighting systems available to professional photographers.
The book is dividing into three parts. The first covers some basic concepts about lighting and equipment. The second covers the technical stuff: Exposure metering, flash modes, sync speeds, etc. The third part is the heart of the book, outlining techniques: bouncing flash, balancing color temperatures, and using flash in broad daylight.
The knowledge contained in this book is important, but it is not as important as actually practicing the techniques Neil talks about, and finding what actually works for you. Neil spends a number of pages early on describing the difference between how his (then) current Canon and Nikon camera systems differ. This is not, in my reading, an absolute “if you are shooting Nikon, then here’s what to look for”, as his observations on how the cameras’ histograms display information may change with the next generation. Instead, these are observations that Neil has made by becoming intimately aware of his camera, his flash, and how the two interact. It’s up to you to learn how your gear works, using what Neil writes here as a starting point and as a baseline.
Now the $34.95 question: is this book worth picking up? If you do not have an intimate knowledge of your flash, how it behaves in different lighting situations, how to dial in exposure compensation, and how to use everything at your disposal as a light source, then absolutely. Owning this book will give you a college-level course worth of instruction on the hows, whys and wherefores of on-camera flash.
Even if you (think) you have a complete understanding of your flash and how to use it, this book can be a good read. As we use our gear, we start to develop ruts: ways of using things that become habit over time. This is not a bad thing, but sometimes we need to be reminded of some of the other ways of using gear, or other techniques, or just to see how other people are dealing with the same issues we are.”
To learn more about this book and the many other books Amherst Media offers check out their web site.
