Off camera flash book

i got speedliter handbook its spot on

I had a look at all the books mentioned before and realized they all focus on portrait photography exclusively. None discuss shooting nature or objects. A bit disappointing.

I borrowed a copy of Syl Arena's book. It's packed with info but it's not a book I would call "inspirational". I don't feel like going out and try what I learnt. I can relate Shane's feeling: a good chunk of the book is dedicated to shooting with a boatload of speedlites. Not really a common setup...

I'm thinking of getting Bryan Peterson's book on flash photography, since I like the way he writes. In his videos for Adorama TV, he's got some cool tips of how to use a flash off camera to bring drama to simple objects, and how to bring out the texture of a tree leave by back lighting it. Anyone read that book before? Is it as good as his "understanding exposure" ?

If you want to focus on getting optimal results with a minimalist setup - the aforementioned Zach Arias "One Light DVD" is perfect! I think he has some of the same info as tutorials on his blog

gratchie wrote in post #15328064
Syl arena's speedliter handbook

http://www.amazon.com/​gp/aw/d/032171105X

Absolutely the Syl Arena Speeliters Handbook. Easy read with great visual examples and diagrams of light set ups. Highly recommend.

I'm going to revive this thread if that's okay with everyone...
I'm looking for a book on this topic. I thought I would order the Syl Arena book until I read a couple of comments in this thread about using a boatload of flashes...this turned me off because I only have 2 flashes. I found another book on Amazon called One-Light-Flash-Professional-Quality-Photography by John Denton and Adam Duckworth that looks appealing to me. Has anyone read this book or else can anyone recommend a book that would be more applicable to my limitation of 1-2 flashes?

jdpence wrote in post #15657858
I'm going to revive this thread if that's okay with everyone...
I'm looking for a book on this topic. I thought I would order the Syl Arena book until I read a couple of comments in this thread about using a boatload of flashes...this turned me off because I only have 2 flashes. I found another book on Amazon called One-Light-Flash-Professional-Quality-Photography by John Denton and Adam Duckworth that looks appealing to me. Has anyone read this book or else can anyone recommend a book that would be more applicable to my limitation of 1-2 flashes?

I dont think that Syl's occasional use of a gang of lights for special projects negates the good information in his book. He does do some stuff that does require a ton of lights, but only as a demonstration of the extremes that can be achieved with speedlites. I havent read the one light flash book so I cant make a recommendation there.

+1 on the Hotshoe Diaries by Joe McNally. I have had it for years, but I stil go back to it for some inspiration/informatio​n.

http://www.amazon.com …ght-Flashes/dp/0321580141

Decided to give the Speedliter's Handbook a try. Gotta love Amazon...ordered today at lunch and it will be delivered tomorrow.

gratchie wrote in post #15328064
Syl arena's speedliter handbook

http://www.amazon.com/​gp/aw/d/032171105X

I have this book and read it on the subway going to and from work. It is the bible of Canon speedlites but could also apply to other flashes as well.

I'm reading Syl's new book here:

http://www.amazon.com …0321832752/ref=​pd_sim_b_2

I'd get his Speedliter book, but it's a bit out of date, being published in 2010. I'd prefer a resource that included the new Canon 600EX-RT.