Product Description

Using small, computerised, battery-powered flash units and lightweight accessories, Tuck shows photographers how to get top quality results - and arrive on location with more energy and a better ability to focus on creative problem-solving. Packed with incredible images and step-by-step techniques, this is a must for commercial, wedding and portrait photographers who want to maximise their time behind the camera and minimise their time spent lugging heavy lighting equipment.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61051 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Customer Reviews

Does exactly what it says on the tin...
In common with the previous reviewer I purchased this book after it featured on David Hobby's excellent Strobist blog (www.strobist.blogspot.com)and had been eagerly awaiting it's arrival. On the way back from picking it up at the post office I had a quick flick through it and, to be honest, my first impressions mirrored those of Mr Olympus "OM2n".

However,once I had returned home and had a chance to have a closer look my opinions changed. Yes, there is a large section devoted to gear, but then that's as it should be. No, there aren't any of the fancy "jumping in the air" or "skateboarding" type of strobist images, but then why should there be? Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Location Photography sets out to be an introduction to "professional" (read commercial)on-location portrait photography using speedlights and the example images that Kirk Tuck provides, complete with (well crafted)descriptions and lighting diagrams fulfill the remit perfectly.

If you are looking for tips on how to create the aforementioned jumping-in-the-air pics then this isn't the book for you, if however, you are looking for an insight into how a pro employs strobist techniques to produce high-quality commercial portraits then it is well worth the money

It'll never take it Captain!
OK so a nonsense title and a poor reference to Scotty from Star Trek, given that the authors' name is Kirk - yeah sorry!

Anyway, I'm a reader that likes fact rather than fiction; detail rather than overviews therefore I like this book immensely. Yes there's much written about equipment, how to shape light, how to use light, how to change light but this is what we do. Photographers need to maximise light to make beautiful images and Kirk describes what he needs and how he uses small flash guns, strobes in the US, to achieve the images he's visualised.

No matter whether you're up to your eyes in studio flashes or small flash guns, you'll learn much from this book evn if it's to only get out there and play.

"Does what it says on the tin!"
I bought this without really knowing what to expect but it was perfect for me, trying to start out on strobist photography. It explains all the kit you need and where to get it, compares different flash guns and how to balance them with different gels.

Most importantly for me is being able to see behind the image and answering 'how did they set up for that?' Each photo has an illustration next to it explaining where the flashes were, what power settings, whether they were diffused or not... you get the picture, I love it!

All the shots in here are for commercial portraits but that suits me fine and was what I wanted. If you are looking for more artistic shots then this is not going to help you.

This is the best book I have bought so far on photographic techniques, hope I can find more this good!

Ady Salisbury