Canon Speedlite System Digital Field Guide

by J. Dennis Thomas

Book Overview

Photography is all about light. Canon Speedlites give you the next best thing to cumbersome studio lighting - wireless flash units that you can actually pack in your camera bag and take along. Tuck this full-color book in there, too. It will help you maximize the effectiveness of your Speedlites and help you create professional lighting effects in more than a dozen unique settings. With this Digital Field Guide you'll: Learn all your Speedlite's settings...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0470045280
• ISBN13: 9780470045282
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 215 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great book

I am just a photography student and knew nothing about flashes when I got this book - which is why I bought the book. This book has been a lifesaver for me. Every time I have a question about how my flash works or how to get it to do something, I turn to my little book and there is the answer. Prior to reading this book I was always afraid to turn my flash off of manual. It was safer to let the camera make the choices and then try to fix the problems in Photoshop. I carry this book in my camera bag so I can always the answers at my fingertips if needed. (I am still a student!)

Canon Speedlight System Fieldguide Comments

I was surprised when I started reading this book. It is packed with good info for the amateur photographer. Not only is how to set up a speed light system there, but how to place lights, reflectors and pose subjects. The inner workings of the speed light itself are completely uncovered. Nice value. dalemackeown@bellsouth.net

Doug's Review

The Canon Speedlite system field guide is a very informative. It is precise and to the point. It is easy to read and understand. The illustrations are well presented and because of the layout of this particular book in question, I have a much better understanding of my flash unit. It far outseeds the manual that comes with the unit. I highly recomend this book. A+ A+ A+ A+ Thanks.

Excellent presentation

This book is for anyone interested in learning to use Canon's external flash units, either camera mounted or remote. No point is left untouched and one can learn good technique towards achieving great pictures both indoors and outdoors. I learned a great deal about using a flash for ourdoor photography. I would highly recommend this to anyone.

Must have for serious photographers

I was put off by the other reviewers, after reading the book I am going to have to disagree with them 100%. The author first makes sure you understand the Speedlite product and goes over what each switch, dial and attachment does. This is done for both the 580 and 430 ex. Once you have an understanding of how it all works you quickly move into actually taking some photos (imagine that). This section gives all sorts of tips, tricks and scenarios for using your new Flash, but also walks you through the technical side of it. I was particularly impressed with a photo being provided for each lighting style, that really shows how much effort the author put into this book. One part that stuck out for me was the method of showing a picture, explaining how it was achieved and then giving you some tips to experiment from.. this had me breaking out my own 30D with the 580 Speedlite. The book ends the numbered chapters with Simple Posing, a guide to setting up the best portrait shots. Very informative as it stepped past the camera and explains how to set up your shot. A "rules of composition" section is where the book ends and I don't think a better section could have been chosen. After reading the book you get many tips, tricks and concepts but the composition section brings it all together and really leaves you wanting to shoot..shoot..shoot! Overall I found this book to be very informative and highly recommend it for amateur photographers or professionals looking to extend their skillset.