Canon Speedlite System Digital Field Guide [Paperback]

Brian McLernon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2, 2010 | ISBN-10: 0470560657 | ISBN-13: 978-0470560655 | Edition: 2

Detailed coverage of Canon's four speedlite-580EX II, 430 EX II, 220 EX and the new 270 EX-built exclusively for Canon DSLRs

If you use a digital SLR camera, then you understand just how critical it is to have a capable flash. Canon Speedlite shines a whole new light on taking photos with a Canon DSLR. This full-color, in-depth guide takes you beyond the standard manual that accompanies the Speedlite and shows you the types of settings you can use on your camera when working with the Speedlite.

You'll explore the possibilities of wireless lighting with multiple speedlites as well as the creative effects you can achieve. Author and professional photographer Brian McLernon demystifies setting up the speedlite, synchronizing the speedlite equipment, and determining lighting ratios.

• Canon DSLRs are only growing in popularity and the Speedlite system is a must-have accessory for exploring a new world of digital photo possibilities
• Shows you how to create an inexpensive and portable wireless studio lighting system that can go where you go
• Demystifies setting up the speedlite, synchronizing the equipment, and figuring out lighting ratios
• Covers other Canon lighting system components, such as the ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter, Macro Ring Lite, and Macro Twin Lite

Real-world information on using these speedlites illustrated by full-color examples and untangles the complexities of using the Canon Speedlite system.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Shine a new light on your photography

Learning to properly use the revolutionary Canon Speedlite System is only the first step in creating great flash photographs. This colorful, portable guide teaches you not only about Speedlites but also about the subtleties of lighting and light modifiers and when, why, and how to use them. You'll explore light placement and styles of lighting for different and creative effects. This book will take you beyond routine use of flash equipment and start you on the path to creating truly dazzling images.

• Learn the features of each component and how to set up Speedlites

• Understand lighting patterns, bounce flash, color temperature, and white balance

• Discover how you can create a wireless studio that goes where your subjects are

• Explore creative suggestions from a working photographer on shooting sports, landscapes, weddings, products, portraits, and more

About the Author

Brian McLernon is a commercial studio and location photographer and the author of Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Field Guide. His photography involves primarily editorial, commercial, corporate, and lifestyle clients. Brian also conducts workshops in photography and lighting and teaches a digital photography class for the Portland (OR) Community College adult education series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (February 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470560657
• ISBN-13: 978-0470560655
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #455,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book April 11, 2010

By S. Morris

Format:Kindle Edition

I originally borrowed this book from a friend, before purchasing it, and found it incredibly useful in learning about the Canon Speedlite. It's a great read, and a great reference book, going over how to use the flash in real world situations, and the results from using it. It goes over all the Canon Speedlite systems, so you won't be left out. Even if you use one particular flash, you should know your options, this book goes over those options.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful, and not only for Speedlite owners/users April 20, 2010

By Tiberiu Tesileanu

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The book is very well written, and it includes a lot of information that is useful even if you're not using Speedlites. There is a lot of information about lighting in general, including using sunlight for your pictures, or using light modifiers to reflect or change light from any source you might have. There is also some advice about posing for pictures and framing, about the kind of gear you need for various kinds of photography (action, scenery etc.), as well as some info about white balance. The book includes a white balance card and a color-test card. You can obviously use essentially all the suggestions in the book with any comparable quality flashes, not only Canon Speedlites (like Nikons, for example, though of course you get most features only if you use a Canon flash on a Canon camera, and a Nikon one on a Nikon). The main drawback is that you find out how many expensive things you might still want to buy in order to obtain great lighting for your pictures (like a couple more flashes, or flash gels, or remote flash triggers, to name a few).

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Not enough information about the Speedlite System August 14, 2010

By P. Kuo

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I wished the book had been more technical and went through the functions of the Speedlites in depth, but it doesn't do that anymore than the manual does. Instead, the book's content is mostly on general flash photography. I guess it wasn't the content I was expecting, but a lot of it is also really common sense. It also repeats the same content a lot in the beginning of the book. E-TTL must have been explained at least 3 times in the first 10 pages. If I'd bought this book in a store instead of on Amazon, I would most likely return it.