"With dedicated sections covering equipment, indoor and outdoor lighting, post production, case studies, and genres such as wedding, fashion, lifestyle, and boudoir, One light flash aims to show you how the first flash you buy may be the last you ever need."--Publisher's description.

Amazing images are possible with just one flash! Today's speedlights may be small but they are mighty...that is, if you know how to use them. In this book, flash photography pro Tilo Gockel teaches the secrets to capturing beautifully lit images using just one flash! The first section of the book provides a crash course in flash photography covering lighting techniques, equipment, and understanding the nuances of flash lighting. Then, through a series of 26 workshops covering everything from people to objects to food to special techniques, Tilo demonstrates how it's done. Included are example images, lighting diagrams, setup instructions, and even post-processing tips. You'll learn how a single flash can not only illuminate, but also add color and project patterns on a scene, and how easy it is to turn a single flash into multiple light sources using reflectors and mirrors to multiply and redirect the flash. You will also learn how to use the flash detached from the camera's hot shoe and how to repeatedly fire the flash for special effects. Tilo's practical style and simple explanations of technology will enable you to get started quickly with flash photography and to achieve fantastic results. Topics include: Combining flash with ambient light Using shades, reflectors, and mirrors Flash composite techniques Light painting with Xenon flash devices Simulating continuous light with stroboscopic flash and modeling flash Use of low-cost non-TTL flashes as well as TTL flashes Battery-powered DIY bare-bulb flash

* The complete guide to mastering the technical challenges of lighting and flash * Explores locations, subjects and styles, and all the technical skills, tools and tips needed to master them * Written by multi award-winning photographer Richard Bradbury Aimed at the serious amateur, this is a practical guide to achieving professional results in digital photography. Light is at the very heart of photography and plays a fundamental role in creating successful images. Not only does light affect brightness, it also determines tone, mood, atmosphere, texture, colour and luminosity. Mastering Lighting & Flash Photography contains everything you need to know about controlling and manipulating light to capture the beauty of the world around you in your own signature style. Written and photographed by a multi award-winning photographer, the book describes and demonstrates all the key topics: from understanding light and how to use it; through choosing the best kit and mastering the essential techniques; to different forms of flash photography and studio lighting, tips from leading professionals, and elevating your prints in post-production. .

Learn to use a one-light approach for recreating the look of beautiful, natural window light for portraiture!

At its best, natural light is magical for portraiture. The quality of natural light streaming through a window can be extraordinary—gorgeous, wrapping light that flatters your subject and can be used to create multiple looks. For years, photographer Sandra Coan exclusively used natural light in her portraiture work. And while the results could be magnificent, she also learned that she could not rely on it to build a business and create consistently great photographs. That’s because natural light is frustratingly unpredictable: sometimes it rains, sometimes the light is too harsh when your clients are available, and sometimes—depending on the time of year—it’s just too dark.

In order to grow her business with dependably great results and a high level of professionalism, Sandra finally decided to tackle artificial light. She spent years honing her ability to use artificial light to recreate the look of beautiful, natural light. And now, with a simple one-light approach, she produces “natural” light whenever and wherever she likes, creating great portraits in any situation, at any time of day or night. It’s an approach that has led to a successful career spanning two decades and a signature look to her work. Here, in Crafting the Natural Light Look, Sandra shares her knowledge and techniques so that you, too, can learn to quickly and dependably create the look of natural light in your own portraiture. Unlike other books that address artificial light, Sandra’s tone is conversational and easygoing, and she does not cover everything there is to know about artificial light. In fact, there are no two- or three-light setups here. Instead, Sandra’s method is straightforward and easily actionable. She covers:

• The key characteristics of light (intensity, distance, direction)

• Equipment: strobes, flashes, light meters, triggers, receivers, modifiers, reflectors, and light stands—including what she uses, and what she recommends if starting out on a budget

• Shutter speed and its relationship with artificial light

• Where to position the light and the subject for consistent, flattering results

• Creating four lighting patterns and looks with one setup—flat light, loop light, side light, and backlight

• Using a light meter to determine the perfect flash power (whether you shoot film or digital)

• Working with individuals, families, and groups

• The role of shadows in its contribution to the drama and mood of a portrait

• Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• What she does in post-production (very little!)

Finally, in a series of case studies, she brings it all together and shares her thought process as she works through a number of real-world portrait shoots from start to finish. If you’re a “natural light photographer” who’s been either struggling with flash or reluctant to learn it at all, Crafting the Natural Light Look is exactly the book you need to improve the quality and consistency of your portraiture.

From gear to editing, composition, lighting, settings, techniques and more, real estate photographer Nathan Cool provides a comprehensive guide for shooting high-quality interior real estate photography from start to finish. Learn how to not just take, but also "make" great real estate interior photos with an efficient workflow and cost-effective tools to speed up your shooting and editing processes. With over 70 color images showing real-world examples, screen shots and diagrams, you'll learn the principles that Nathan Cool and many other professional real estate photographers apply to their work. Far from being a dry academic tome, this book shows practical techniques that prove profitable for a real estate photography business. See how you can stand out from today's crowd of camera clickers and show clients you charge like a pro because you shoot like one.

Electronic flash not only brings light to a photograph, it can be an important artistic tool--if you’ve acquired the knowledge to use it creatively. To master those skills, digital photographers need only turn to this complete reference. Packed with inspirational photos, it takes the mystery out of flash, covering every type of equipment and explaining such essentials as guide numbers, sync speeds, white balance, and more. Photographers will see how fill flash can decrease contrast and shadows in outdoor portrait photography, understand how to control the light using bounce and multiple flash techniques, and expertly employ high-speed and rear curtain synchronization to create impressive motion-blur images. Everything you need to know is here--including a section on studio flash and computer processing.