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

Book Review Special

I was again given the opportunity to read a preview copy of a book. This one is Lighting Design for Commercial Portrait Photography by Jennifer Emery. This book was very easy to read and I found it quite interesting. She of course covers different lighting set ups but she also talks about the prep work involved in doing a commercial shoot. This involves booking models and makeup artists as well as playing more than just the role of photographer, which is often times the case. This is all important information to know as well. As far as the actual lighting and sample images she does a wonderful job of describing, diagraming and photographing pull backs of the lighting she uses. I love when there are diagrams and pull backs because it makes it far more simple to understand the lighting used. We photographers are visual learners after all. It's clear that her lighting is very effective for whatever is being promoted or sold. Several of her techniques can even be tweaked for the regular portrait photographer too. It's not out in stores quite yet but when it is you can find it here:
Amherst Media
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

A New Day A New Book

Today I am reviewing Alternative Portraiture by Benny Migs. I quite liked this book. The cover image is very eye catching mostly because of the lighting done with a ring light which you can see by telltale circular catchlight in the eyes. I learned later on in the book that the ring light used was not what I expected but a DIY ring light from the hardware store. So in other words I need to hit up the hardware store and work on one for myself. Benny really rocks the environmental portrait as well. I loved the hat maker photo and his photo of the farrier or the guy that puts on the horse shoes for those of us not familiar with equestrian terms. They are both just stellar images. So if you feel like learning how to create portraits that really capture the viewer and how to DIY a ring light get this book. Find it here:
Amherst Media
Amazon
Barnes & Noble