Laurel Housden Photography Blog

(I can’t put this book down!)

I have been eagerly waiting for the delivery of Scott Kelby’s newest book entitled The Digital Photography Book, Vol. 2. Of course I knew it would be great - but it BLEW me away. I am just so charged now after reading it. One of my resolutions this year is learning more about off camera flash and studio lights. He addresses all of this and more.  Scott has even included links in his book to several online tutorials that he as created especially the readers of this book.  They include how to set up your off camera flash for both Nikon and Canon (that alone is worth the cost of the book - I paid NAPP Member price of only $14.99). There is even more video tips that are referenced in the book - but you gotta get the book to see that!  Just  a quick note about flash - Anne Cahill of Nikon did an outstanding tutorial on setting up your SB-800 to use remotely on Photoshop User TV episode #71 - recorded March 5th, 2007. I believe you have to be a NAPP Member to access the back episodes of Photoshop User TV.

I have been reading so many technical books and I am just so overwelemed. I mean..people talk about using a L Bracket or a Tripod Head for professional results - but I’ve never actually SEEN one until seeing the actual picture of them in Scott’s book. Now it makes sense! I’m a very visual person and learn more from seeing rather than reading. I also like how the book shows examples of the equipment in it’s proper setting. Like where to actually position the soft boxes, how to hold a reflector. I’d much rather just see it than read a paragraph desribing where to put it!

Here is a list of the Chapters of the book:

1. Using Flash like a pro
2. Building a studio from scratch (I especially love this one)
3. Shooting portraits like a pro
4. Shooting landscapes like a pro
5. Shooting weddings like a pro
6. Shooting travel like a pro
7. Shooting macro like a pro
8. Pro tips for getting better photos
9. More photo recipes to help you get “the shot”

The Digital Photography Book Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 are both must haves in your library. They  will even fit in your camera bag for quick reference. You know, I’d pay triple the amount of just one of these books.  I’ve spent way more than that on computer and photography books that don’t even  give me half as much info as these little gems!

O.k…once you get the book - check out page 216. It is a picture Scott took while at DLWS Cape Cod this past October. I was right along with him when he took his shoot. Here is my version of Coastguard Beach. Yup…the main ingredient to getting the colors in the sky on this picture was  getting up at up at 0 dark thirty! I used my Sigma 10-20mm to capture this at f/8.

I love the tips that Scott gives on portrait poses and getting great catch light in your subject’s eyes using your bounce card on your flash.  Again..seeing is believing. Here is a picture I took of my son Aidan (yes I know, he’s wearing a pink hat and holding a pink bear - what can I say, I’m a big fan of color!) I also used Scott’s tip on cutting off part of the head…wait that sounds bad…but you’ll SEE what I mean with the example below of Aidan:

(Aidan: Nikon D70s shot at 60mm with a 28-300mm lens, Aperture Priority f/6.3, 1/30th, ISO 320, using SB-800 with bounce card at +1/3 ev)

What can I say - get the book - it’s worth it!

Also, check out this week’s episode of The Digital Photography Show. Scott interviews Portrait and Candid photographer, Erin Manning. It is a very insightful interview if you are at all interested in learning  more about  this type of photography.