Product Description

A full–color, go–anywhere guide to Nikon′s entire array of creative lighting possibilities

Nikon′s Creative Lighting System is like having a low–cost, wireless, studio lighting system that′s portable enough to fit into a camera bag. Although the possibilities are endless and exciting, setting up, synchronizing the equipment, and determining lighting ratios can be a bit overwhelming. Luckily, this Digital Field Guide has been completely updated to shed some light on the situation!

Beginning with the basic functions of the Nikon SB–900, the SB–800, and the SB–600, the author then goes on to demystify the complexities of using multiple speedlights, adjusting flash outputs, and setting up a wireless studio.

• Clearly explains how to get the best results when using multiple speedlights
• Includes examples and unique advice on how to light specific subjects, such as weddings, wildlife, portraits, product shots, and corporate locations
• Covers other Creative Lighting System components, such as Nikon′s wireless commander and macro speedlights

With this handy, on–the–go guide, you′ll no longer be in the dark on Nikon′s Creative Lighting System.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42401 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

From the Back Cover

Nikon® Creative Lighting System

Digital Field Guide

Second Edition

J. Dennis Thomas

Discover all you can achieve with standalone flashes

The Nikon Creative Lighting System is like a low–cost, wireless studio lighting system that fits in your camera bag. This portable, full–color guide, updated for the newest Nikon Speedlights, teaches you all about using Speedlights effectively. It′s full of advice on flash photography, creative lighting techniques, and specific guidance on lighting specialized situations: sports and action, architectural or product shots, portraits, night and special effects photography, weddings, concerts, and more.

• Get acquainted with the SB–900, SB–800 and SB–600 Speedlights and their accessories

• Explore flash photography basics, including exposure compensation, directional lighting, and flash sync modes

• See how to set up a wireless portable studio

• Discover ways to get great portraits (indoors or out), macro shots, still lifes, and event photos

• Learn to use one or multiple Speedlights for various effects

Inside – your free gray and color checker card to help you achieve accurate white balance and color

Visit our Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks

About the Author

J. Dennis Thomas is a professional photographer and author based in Austin, TX. He owns Dead Sailor Productions, a photography and graphic design business, and has worked with many notable clients. He has authored eight previous Digital Field Guides and has published articles in national photography magazines.

Customer Reviews

Not very useful
If you can handle the small text and monochrome of the Nikon manuals (pages 71 - 106 for the SB800), and you have time to surf the forums at photo.net, or nikonians.org, you'll learn more than you can from this book. Much of it is dedicated to photography generals not specific to the Nikon Creative Lighting System (e.g. posing techniques, using flash outdoors, etc.) and for these things there are other books that are much better (e.g. Steve Bavister's 'Lighting for Portrait Photography').

Straightforward and instructional.
As part of my own personal conversion from film to digital photography, I recently purchased almost every book and tutorial DVD relevant to my new cameras (Nikon D300) and overall situation. I am a self-taught photographer whose work has been widely published for over 30 years including by National Geographic. Having learned little or nothing from any of the DVDs (very disappointing!), I have found books to be the best for overall value.

With so much to learn - some of which is quite daunting, we students of photography require books that are well laid out and allow the reader to build on subjects covered so far. This is such a book. Published by a company whose products include some of those generally excellent photography titles "For Dummies," they really do appear to know the subject.

What I really like is the very beginning of this work. This is called a "Quick Tour" and is designed to get you up and running with your flash unit. Fantastic, after just two pages, we are taking photos with a Nikon Speedlight. And it's a positive learning trail all the way from here as the author covers the widest possible spectrum of flash photography.

Part I includes a complete exposé of the Creative Lighting System (CLS) and setting up the Nikon SB-600 and SB-800 units. Part II allows the photographer to create great photos with full details of; Flash photography basics, wireless flash photography, wireless studio, real-world applications and portraiture. With examples which include anything from portraits, a Hornet and even the head of a small screw, this book gets down to basics and is unlikely to disappoint those who are eager to learn.

NM

Neither One Thing Nor Another
I was looking for something that expanded upon, and made more easily comrehensible,the instruction manuals that came with my SB-800 and macro flash systems. What I wasn't after was an idiot's guide to using flash. Unfortunately, the latter is what I got.
The book would be excellent for someone starting out to use a flash system for the very first time, needing advice and guidance on bounce flash, guide numbers, posing, ideas for subjects etc. I seriously doubt that there are too many people with an SB-600/800 who have those needs.
The book dwells at tedious length on composition and subject ideas. It does give technical detail about using the system, but it is both irritatingly moronic in its assumptions about the reader and lacking in adequate technical detail to do much to expand on the instruction manual.
The book deals, it says, with the Creative Lighting System. In fact, beyond a cursory mention a couple of times, it does not deal with the innovative macro-flash system at all. Users of D70/80/200 cameras with built in Speedlights fare a little better, but the emphasis is definitely on the SB-600/800 guns.
I'd recommend using the money you don't spend on this book on a few sets of batteries. Get used to the instruction manual and go out and experiment. The book is a waste of money for the majority of its supposed target readership.