The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes by Joe McNally Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes
Book Review: Excellent book.... but mainly for Nikon users
Summary: 5 Stars
I really found this to be an excellent book. It challenged me to get my flash off my camera and start taking pictures. What higher recommendation can I give it?
You should be aware, however, that Joe is very much a Nikon user and there is a lot of information about products and settings that may not always translate for other brands. Since I have a similar camera and flash to the ones he uses, this was not an issue (in fact a huge advantage) for me.
What I really liked is the way he shows a spectacular picture, then breaks it down to show not only how he lit it, but also why he made many of the decisions and what settings he used.
I also enjoyed many of his anecdotes - I learned a lot about the fun (and not so fun) life of a professional photographer.
Beware though - it can be an expensive book! Since reading it I discovered all sorts of new toys that I just HAVE to have, like light stands, umbrellas, softboxes, extra flash units, grips, clamps, extension cables and and and....
Book Review: Great for Nikon users... as a Canon user... not much use.
Summary: 3 Stars
I can't deny the guy is talented and knows his stuff.
However the book is really specific and narrow in its scope, and reads almost like a Nikon advertisement. It covers Nikon CLS (Creative Lighting System) flash photography. As a strobist enthusiast, I was hoping for a better insight than this book gave me.
There are a few gems in the text, but as a Canon user who uses manual flash, there is not enough to warrant me buying it really, and the stuff that was useful was hidden away in Nikon talk. Boy does he talk, lots and lots of waffle. It's does read like someone talking to their mate in the pub in places. ;)
If I am honest I tried to re-sell it within a week of purchase, but oddly all my friends were trying to sell their copies too.
If you arent a Nikon user, don't buy this, if you are, you will probably find it a superb reference.
Book Review: Infantile - avoid
Summary: 2 Stars
Joe McNally should stick to taking photographs and employ the services of a ghost writer when it comes to publishing books. While there is some good information buried in the text it is obscured behind a barrier of appalling teenage like prose that includes pseudo swear words and slang: "whenever you set off a flash, light goes frikkin' everywhere" ; "Took off Mr. Dome Diffuser and...". When Mr. MaNally's vocabulary fails him he just invents a new word that sounds hip : "Lessee", "whaddya", "bango".
There is some good information in this book but it is just to wearing to fight past the appalling prose - well written, it is not.
Book Review: Good...but not brilliant
Summary: 3 Stars
On reading the reviews before me, I decided to go ahead and buy this book, and upon initially receiving it and flicking through it, I was quite impressed. However, on closer inspection, I was left a little disappointed. The book concentrates solely on off-camera flash using TTL only. It never goes near the idea of using manual flash (as I have to do when using my pocket wizards) and that is really what I wanted to learn more about.
If you have never used off camera flash before then it is a great book to start from. But, if like me, you want to progress beyond TTL mode, then skip this title. Lots of pretty pictures and humour (a little excessive on the humour for me personally but others may find it helps getting through the book!).
Overall, a good title for total beginners to off camera flash. Well laid out and presented, but not really suitable for those looking to use off camera flash in anything other than TTL mode.
Book Review: Big advice from someone who knows: Flash - illuminated!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I find this one of the best "how to" photography books I have come across. Years of experience in the field, helps Joe McNally put across very basic core facts about lighting in a useful way, then presents an amazing range of tricky situations which test them to the extreme and gives really practical and usable advice that helps you light in creative and dramatic ways. Based largely on Nikon SB900, 800, 600 Nikon SB-600 Speedlight flash units, and with useful tips on a wide range of lighting accessories this book should prove an essential part of any photographers kit.