Antlers

I have been working on an art project inspired by a buck skull that I acquired/was left in my care. Here is the latest results of my efforts in time for Easter.You can see the others in my Etsy shop

The Right Book for Natural Light

The book The Right Light by Krista Smith is a very good book for learning about natural lighting techniques. She starts with the very basics of equipment choices and moves through how she works a session as well as some basics for starting a business. She has some excellent advice for the ametuer photographer looking to move on to the professional arena. But seriously the little girl's expression on the back cover alone will make you want a copy of this book.
Find it here:
Amherst Media
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Book Review

Today's book is Power Composition for Photography by Tom Gallovich. Each chapter of this book focuses on one component of composing a stand out image and all of the ways to apply it. He includes a ton of examples for the different compositional element he is talking about. Plus he often includes a copy of the image with arrows, lines, or a particular area highlighted to show the reader exactly what he is talking about. I think it's a great book for those looking to improve their images and give them a bit more impact.
Find it here:
Amherst Media
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

A Unique Wedding Photography Book

One Wedding How to Photograph from Start to Finish by Brett Florens is exactly what it says it is. It is one wedding starting from the engagement session, through the wedding day and continuing with a day after session. He includes his timing for the images which is important and useful to see how long he spent doing particular parts of the day. As he talks about his images he explains how he is visualizing using that image in a book layout. What I liked most of all was he includes these layouts he talks about for the entire engagement storybook and the entire couples wedding album. This is definitely something most books don't include. This also what makes this book unique and truly a start to finish guide.
Find it here:
Amherst Media
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

The Beckstead Wedding

I have to say, this book was just incredible. What he accomplishes is almost beyond words it is THAT good. Nearly all of the photos showcased in this book were done with only ambient lighting or very little additional lighting and minimal to no processing work. There are a few exceptions where an image was more heavily altered however he describes these alterations in detail as well as who did the work if he didn't do it himself. He also only does heavy alterations when it is for the betterment of this piece to make it all that it can be. There are two images that I am in awe of, one is a wedding dress reflected in a mirror and the other is a couple reaching out to each other across a small stream. These are simple images but they are so incredibly eye catching I flip back to look at them again and again. The one with the mirror somehow reminds me of the Narnia book series. As if you're being transported elsewhere, somewhere beyond the room. The couple over the stream has almost a sadness to it but that's ok because it also has a feeling that it's fate and nothing can change it. I really have to say this book is a MUST read for anyone doing wedding photography and looking to step up their game. It will inspire you to push yourself.
Find it here:
Amherst Media
Amazon
Barnes & Noble