So far, I’ve been pleased. It’s well written and full of good information and example photos, but this is not a beginner’s book. You’ll get lost in the jargon if you don’t already understand lighting terminology like “gobo” and statements like “set the hair light 2/3 stop higher than the key light.”
One of the techniques he explains is using a strobe right behind the model’s head to push light through the hair and make it glow. This is seriously cool effect, and something I’ve only done accidentally with sunlight, not intentionally in the studio. After reading the section on backlighting, and checking out his beautiful sample images, I just had to give it a try. Continue reading
” by Dan Ariely and then we’ll talk.
which is wonderful for turning mundane scenes into beautiful photographic backgrounds.
Hurter recommends talking to the flourist, the caterer, DJ, etc before the event. He also suggests studying the wedding gown from a fashion and design perspective to achieve an awareness of what details to shoot. And perhaps most importantly, visit the location prior to the ceremony at around the same time of day to get a feel for the lighting. This is serious stuff!
It’s more of a tips and trick book than a detailed how-to, and there are a lot of little gems in there. On of the first things I noted in this book was the importance of shooting with two bodies at any event that has lots of action happening in various locations. You put a wide angle on one body and a telephoto on the other and you’re all set to catch the whole scene, and grab candids of people in the kind of natural happy moments that happen at weddings, sports events, etc.