Best book for on-camera flash for beginners

bobbyz wrote in post #16504373
Agree. Lot of info on his web site. Don't need a book. My local library had one and it was just same info as on the web site for free.

Sure it's the same info as on the website, but it's structured in an easy to follow manner, in a book that can be read anywhere and referenced anytime. Personally I'd rather have a book where the information was collated into a cohesive narrative that guided me through from beginning to end than have to bounce all over the web for it. Especially if it was a subject I was totally green about. It's one thing if you already know what you're looking for, it's something else entirely if you have no idea.

Scatterbrained wrote in post #16504834
Sure it's the same info as on the website, but it's structured in an easy to follow manner, in a book that can be read anywhere and referenced anytime. Personally I'd rather have a book where the information was collated into a cohesive narrative that guided me through from beginning to end than have to bounce all over the web for it. Especially if it was a subject I was totally green about. It's one thing if you already know what you're looking for, it's something else entirely if you have no idea.

Agree.

Scatterbrained wrote in post #16504834
Sure it's the same info as on the website, but it's structured in an easy to follow manner, in a book that can be read anywhere and referenced anytime. Personally I'd rather have a book where the information was collated into a cohesive narrative that guided me through from beginning to end than have to bounce all over the web for it. Especially if it was a subject I was totally green about. It's one thing if you already know what you're looking for, it's something else entirely if you have no idea.

I also agree.

Scatterbrained wrote in post #16504834
Sure it's the same info as on the website, but it's structured in an easy to follow manner, in a book that can be read anywhere and referenced anytime. Personally I'd rather have a book where the information was collated into a cohesive narrative that guided me through from beginning to end than have to bounce all over the web for it. Especially if it was a subject I was totally green about. It's one thing if you already know what you're looking for, it's something else entirely if you have no idea.

I agree. The books (both Neil's and Syl's) stand on their own for value, but it's also a great way to support those who have made the effort to help others learn.

RTPVid wrote in post #16503488
I am buying a Canon Speedlite 430EX II as a Christmas present for my adult daughter. She has a T2i that we gave her for Christmas a couple of years ago. She is a complete novice in using on-camera flash, and this will be her first actual flash beyond the built-in pop up flash.

What book to you folks recommend for a beginner learning to use on-camera flash?

Remember, this is for a beginner who does want to take better flash photos than the "blast from the front" look. She, though a beginner, mostly shoots in manual mode, never on green box, but mostly gets her results from trial and error rather than any understanding of photo technique. (I'm also getting her Peterson's Understanding Exposure.)

From the on-line reviews, these books are strongly recommended and (what gives me pause) strongly criticized by thoughtful reviewers.

Neil van Niekerk's On-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography

Syl Arena's Speedliter's Handbook: Learning to Craft Light with Canon Speedlites

Bryan Peterson's Understanding Flash Photography: How to Shoot Great Photographs Using Electronic Flash

I'll be getting her the Kindle edition, if that matters.

At this point, I'm leaning toward the "Speedliter's Handbook"

As everyone pointed out these 3 books are good. I have the first two. Neil's site is good as well. Start in the blue columns on the right. Syl covers more in his book but I prefer Neil's stuff as he focuses on direction and quality of light. Both are good.

01 - natural looking flash - under flash photography techniques. Scroll down to find it. Great stuff there and it compliments his book.

http://neilvn.com/tang​ents/

I have both Syl Arena's and Bryan Peterson's books. Prior to my becoming immersed in both of them, I had an actual fear of anything to do with flash photography. After reading them over the course of a few weeks I cannot say enough good things - they are simply superb. Now if presented with a situation requiring flash I have the oppsoite reaction - I'm excited!

Got Neil? He's inspired me as well.

big fan of bryan's. lots of examples and really easy to understand

Thanks, all, for your helpful comments and insights. Now I just have to decide...

Neil or Brian for starters, look at them if you can, decide what you think your daughter might enjoy best. Syl's book is fantastic, but get pretty advanced fast, might be intimidating for a first timer. Personally I'd get Neil's book first, though I have all three of them. Some might have a "look inside" option on Amazon, that might also help.

Just to close the loop, and once again thank everyone for their comments and suggestions, I purchased the Neil van Niekerk book:

Neil van Niekerk's On-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography

Thanks again.

You chose...... Wisely.

Unlike Walter Donovan (Julien Glover) did in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

digital paradise wrote in post #16550994
Unlike Walter Donovan (Julien Glover) did in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

He chose..... Poorly.