Review: Good information for beginners
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 2, 2013
Much of this book has to do with lighting which is actually a bigger deal than most think.  I have photographed kids and adults alike as well as flora and fauna.  The light sets the mood, brings attention or takes it away.  Lighting is one of the most common factors that can make or break your image.  The temperature of the light (ever wonder why some shots come out blue or yellow tinged?), the position of the light, all of what is in this book is there for a reason.  When I started out, I also complained about how instructors would ramble about lighting, but then I experimented all because I liked how a professional image looked and I wanted to see if I could duplicate it.  That's when I realized the instructors weren't just babbling.  There are a lot of people out there that face their kids or clients into the sun or they use the flash on auto and call it good.  Experiment, pay attention to what is written in the book.  Get down to the kids level, show them in their element without them saying "Cheese" as the author pointed out.  Anything from Christmas lights, candle light, the warmth from sunset, even a sparkler can make a difference.  You want the images to capture their personality, not just a cheesed up grin as they stare blankly at the camera.  Change it up too, use their hands as a focal point when they play.  Also make sure your young clients are comfortable around you and your camera.