Speedliter's Handbook

Speedliter's Handbook: Learning to Craft Light with Canon Speedlites By Syl Arena
This is a real 21st century photo technique book. I just got the book and have been thumbing through it. It goes over everything you could think about. It is so well illustrated, better than almost any other book I have seen lately in this area and I look at tons of photo books. This is such a different type of book than the many digital guides out there. Takes the Joe McNally Hot Shoe Diaries to another level (and Canon).
I have no affiliation, I just got the book today and think it's amazing.

I ordered my copy last March through Amazon. It shipped, but is not going to get here until Monday 1/3

Thats funny, I ordered mine on Tuesday, got it Thursday this week - it was released Tue / Wed

Awesome book. Covers lots of the topics we covered in his 2 day workshop, extremely well illustrated, and of course - Canon specific!

http://www.amazon.com …oks&qid=1293756​495&sr=8-1

Question for those that have seen the book. McNally's book deals pretty much exclusively with using Nikon's equivalent of Canon's ETTL. Does this book deal pretty much exclusively with ETTL or does it discuss manual flash control much too?

Anyone know how it compares to "Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography"?

this just needs to be available for the iPad...

spkerer wrote in post #11546530
Question for those that have seen the book. McNally's book deals pretty much exclusively with using Nikon's equivalent of Canon's ETTL. Does this book deal pretty much exclusively with ETTL or does it discuss manual flash control much too?

ETTL and Manual - Syl gives them both equal praise and criticism!

pcj wrote in post #11548607
ETTL and Manual - Syl gives them both equal praise and criticism!

I may have to add this to my wish list. Thanks for the info.

how is it? the problem i have with books about photography, and lighting, and general how to, is it is available in the masses, for free, on blogs and forums just like POTN.
and it not that hard to learn, i mean i dont produce the greatest images, but i just started playing with ocf not to long ago... and already learning alot quickly.
but if this is really that good, i might have to give it a read

bedojo wrote in post #11550158
how is it? the problem i have with books about photography, and lighting, and general how to, is it is available in the masses, for free, on blogs and forums just like POTN.
and it not that hard to learn, i mean i dont produce the greatest images, but i just started playing with ocf not to long ago... and already learning alot quickly.
but if this is really that good, i might have to give it a read

It's a tool - if you're getting everything you desire from forums, then don't bother. If you're eager to learn other ideas and have a reference in paper, buy the book.

Personally, I've learned a ton of stuff I didn't happen to read on a forum or blog - after all, you don't know what you don't know...

bedojo wrote in post #11550158
how is it? the problem i have with books about photography, and lighting, and general how to, is it is available in the masses, for free, on blogs and forums just like POTN.
and it not that hard to learn, i mean i dont produce the greatest images, but i just started playing with ocf not to long ago... and already learning alot quickly.
but if this is really that good, i might have to give it a read

I agree with the idea that most (perhaps almost all?) of the information in the book is available on blogs, forums, etc. One huge advantage books still have is that the information in the books is distilled and provided in a coherent manner. On blogs and forums you often have to read through so much irrelevant information (noise) to pick out the nuggets of good info (signal).

So in geekier terms, the signal to noise ratio can be frustratingly low when trying to learn from internet blogs, forums, etc.

For me personally, I find books on a given subject a better place to start. Sifting through the info on blogs and forums and such works better for me after reading a book on the matter.

spkerer wrote in post #11551834
I agree with the idea that most (perhaps almost all?) of the information in the book is available on blogs, forums, etc. One huge advantage books still have is that the information in the books is distilled and provided in a coherent manner. On blogs and forums you often have to read through so much irrelevant information (noise) to pick out the nuggets of good info (signal).

So in geekier terms, the signal to noise ratio can be frustratingly low when trying to learn from internet blogs, forums, etc.

For me personally, I find books on a given subject a better place to start. Sifting through the info on blogs and forums and such works better for me after reading a book on the matter.

+1, i totally agree

Just bought it for 29.99, great deal. I've heard a ton of sites saying this is gonna be a must own. 80 lighting diagrams are gonna be nice. Never can have enough knowledge.

Young_Werther wrote in post #11551883
Just bought it for 29.99, great deal. I've heard a ton of sites saying this is gonna be a must own. 80 lighting diagrams are gonna be nice. Never can have enough knowledge.

same here. I get this guys e-mails everytime he updates. He is excellent and im glad the book is available. Its ment to be read through. figure out some new stuff and keep it in your bag. You cant remember everything and it will come in handy in the field or as you run across things. keep it by your toilet for about 2-3 months until you know it well:p.

I'm reading this book right now, and this guy is a great teacher. I highly recommend this book, and most of us would learn something by reading it. I, for one, have already learned a few things I did not know, and I am not half way through the book yet.