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Photographers of all experience levels can now avoid time-consuming postproduction image editing with the multiflash techniques provided in this guide. Packed with information, the manual shows photographers how to select a quality new or used flash and how to mount and use up to five flashes to sculpt and define every aspect of an image. Also included is a discussion on perspective, lens selection, filter use, and white balance selection as well as information on flash-triggering systems and supporting equipment. A wide assortment of images with captions detailing the methods used to create each look completes this clever guide.
I've never been one much for flash photography, but this book actually made me want to start experimenting. For me, there are many more reasons to take pictures without flash, but this showed me quite a few scenarios where flash would enhance my images. Inspirational and yet very simple to follow! It also gives very affordable ways to achieve advanced flash techniques and it allows amateurs to get involved in advanced techniques by revealing ways to use off camera flashes with point and shoot cameras!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ESCism
Posted September 25, 2010
This book provides a means to see what is possible as well as to learn / fine tune your photographic skills in ways that you probably haven't thought of before. That's really the bottom line - throw away your previous conceptions and become absorbed in what this book has to say, the message is very simple... but quite powerful. I guarantee you will want to read their other books to explore Rod and Robin's insights into other areas of photography. This is not your 'usual' photographic book, you will not find the information or the insights presented this way anywhere else.
As I read this book, one of the early sentences caught my attention and stuck "A flash is used to illuminate ideas, not just to eliminate shadows." This one sentence embodies what this book does a masterful job at explaining and illustrating, don't simply take snapshots... you can use your camera and flash(es) to do so much more that will be meaningful and beautiful to you years hence. Do not read this book hoping to have it tell you how to take pictures of the world as you see it with your eyes. It tells you how to take those pictures as you see them with your heart.
What is so pleasurable is that this book is not written to impress with overly technical camera-speak, it's written in down to earth language with just a touch of humor to make it fun. If you're someone like me (who is not an experienced photographer with years behind them), you will get something out of this book and it will change the way you think about flash photography. It is not written as a recipe book, several of which I have owned as they were highly recommended when I looked for resources online. You won't find Rod and Robin saying, in this situation... set your camera and flash settings up thusly. Who wants to try and memorize all that type of detailed information? Not me. That doesn't help me create my images that reflect my personal view. I read those books, put them on my shelf... and more recently when I picked them up and flipped through them, I thought "there is really nothing in here I need any more" and I donated them. It was a very different experience with Rod and Robin's books. Those I pick up and page through to find my inspiration, and "re-sync" myself if you will, fairly regularly. I own the first two and they're already becoming dog eared, the badge of honor for a well loved book.
One of the main things that draws me back to the book is that it is not simply a book on flash photography of people or landscapes or macro or animals... or whatever... the images and the multiple flash techniques described cross all those boundaries. SO, whatever type of photography you love, there is something here for you. There are a lot of 'before' and 'after' shots as well as diagrams in reasonable amounts to show you for the particular situation, how the light was set up, where it was directed and what impact it had on the image. THIS is probably the most profound information, definitely a case of a picture paints a thousand words. Also, this book gives you useful insights into composition... a way of thinking about putting your image together and lighting it that makes it work as a whole. You'll no longer be taking just photographs of a subject. Snapshot? pshaw... not any more. The entire world looks different to me now. It's really weird, just driving down the freeway and everything I notice is different. I am seeing things th
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DREmig
Posted September 14, 2010
Rod and Robin Deutschmann have done it again with their second book, "Multiple Flash Photography: Off-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Photographers." Building on their first book, "Off-Camera Flash: Creative Techniques for Digital Photographers:" the book's specialty is the use of several flashes to improve the look of your photography. When you follow their instruction, you are able to obtain the control of light that you would get in a studio setting, outside in other venues. This book teaches you the basic of lighting technique.
In chapter after chapter, the authors provide cost-effective, inexpensive ways to bring this message to your audience as photographers, through flash photography. By even using different makes and models of speedlights, and even homemade solutions; you can have professional results, without the professional expense. The beautiful pictures inspire and move the reading and learning process along. The technique is explained, and your mind goes to "how do I do that?"
While much of the book concerns flash photography, this book is so much more. It articulates the zen of photography. You are able to think in a different way, beyond a simple snapshot mentality. The difference between documenting your world, to interpreting your world. From the comfort and complacently of automatic settings, to the accountability and freedom of going fully manual.
To Rod and Robin, each picture can be a message. Within the book, Rod and Robin provide a checklist to allow the message to "sing" as the authors tell it. This becomes a simple process of how to feel about a photograph, rather than just how it looks. For me personally, this book really spells out the process.
Another great feature in this book is the yellow post-its of truths and tips located throughout the book. They are from "No Shortcut" to "Optical Slaves Indoors" to "Six Steps to Artistic Freedom." These post-its are easy to remember in the field while shooting.
Being an experienced beginner, I am beginning to see how flash photography could impact my photography. While the fear of "washing" things out by using my "pop-up" flash on my camera, and the learning curve for good flash photography has intimidated me; Rod and Robin's two books have made the process much less frightening for me. I look forward to applying what I have learned through their books.
But the books aren't just for me and my skill level. People from every skill level can apply and adapt the lessons and tips in this book. Even the most experienced can readily the authors' MacGyver like techniques to their shooting.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 13, 2010
Eye-opening book to the importance of adding light. As an amateur, the book encouraged me to do more than just take a picture. It inspired me to create that photograph that would have people do a double take.
This book had amazing photographs that illustrated what multiple flashes can do. It then provided diagrams so that a beginner could understand how light was added to achieve the results. The "picnic in the park" photograph was incredible and the discussion illustrated how important it is to "plan" your shot. The lighting looked so natural.
My flash gear will definitely have a few additions.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 12, 2010
As an amateur photographer, I really got off on this book. Multiple flash photography sounds like it should be complicated, but much of what is shown is easy. And it's actually fun. They take you from some basic techniques and eventually get to some neat and advanced stuff, so there's lots of room to grow with it. This will give me months of exploration and fun. You get to explore doing extreme close-ups of flowers and nature, and get detail I never thought possible with my camera. And they also show how to use multiple flashes to get some awesome effects when shooting live models. The authors clearly emphasize the art of photography over the buying of fancy equipment. In fact, they show how to build some of your own accessories, rather than buying expensive gear.
The layout is good. The easy conversational style allows a non-technical person to understand the new techniques shown. The photo samples let you see what they're talking about. I'd recommend this book to any amateur and even to some more advanced photographers. I see the same authors have other books available on flash techniques, so I'll likely buy those too.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 3, 2010
I just finished reading through this book and I'm feeling invigorated and inspired to dust off the old flash again. I want to go push the limits of my own creativity after discovering the new possibilities that one, two, three, and even five flashes can provide! The book is laid out in five easy to navigate sections highlighted with crucial tips and tricks. The images are down right stunning and one-of-a-kind. Diagrams are laid out in a clear, precise, easy to understand manner. The step-by-step explanations provide you with guidance on how to create your own images. They cover every kind of gear you can think of; from cheap do-it-yourself flash modification tools to the expensive name brand options. It is written in a manner that is understandable and not full of jargon that you have to go research to understand. They fully explain what everything means in a concise manner. There is also a comprehensive list of gear towards the end to help guide you with your purchases. Overall this book provides you with the tools and guidance to go fearlessly explore the world of multiple flash photography. I learned that it's the person behind the camera that creates a story and not the gear. Forget automatic mode! There is no possible way to achieve images similar to those in this book unless you are in full manual mode. The authors are clearly passionate about what they do which is inspirational in itself. Time to go shooting!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 8, 2011
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Overview
Photographers of all experience levels can now avoid time-consuming postproduction image editing with the multiflash techniques provided in this guide. Packed with information, the manual shows photographers how to select a quality new or used flash and how to mount and use up to five flashes to sculpt and define every aspect of an image. Also included is a discussion on perspective, lens selection, filter use, and white balance selection as well as information on flash-triggering systems and supporting ...