| Nikon Creative Lighting System Digital Field Guide |  | Author: J. Dennis Thomas
Publisher: Wiley
Category: Book
List Price: $19.99
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Rating:  34 reviews
Sales Rank: 78,783
Media: Paperback
Edition: 2
Pages: 256
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.6
ISBN: 0470454059
Dewey Decimal Number: 771
EAN: 9780470454053
ASIN: 0470454059
Publication Date: October 26, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com Review
Nikon Creative Lighting System Photography Techniques
Amazon-exclusive content from author J. Dennis Thomas One-Speedlight Portraits
One of the things I like the best of the Nikon CLS is how fast and easy it is to get great portraits with just one Speedlight. For this portrait of Kristin I used an SB-900 off camera and triggered it with an SU-800. I used a shoot-through umbrella for diffusion and the light was placed at a 45º angle to the model. The stand was fully extended and the light was angled down for a Paramount or Loop lighting pattern. Setting up the CLS was simple. I switch the SB-900 to Remote mode and set it for Group A, the SU-800 was set to TTL. After a few test shots I decided to dial down the FEC to –1 EV. The image was shot with a D700 and a 50mm f/1.4G. I chose Manual exposure 1/60 at f/4 ISO 400. 
(Click on image to enlarge)
| Soft-Light Close-Ups
This is another example of a very simple yet effective lighting technique. For small things such as these raspberries using an overhead light that is very close up give you a nice soft light (the larger the light source in relation to the subject the softer the light is). Setting the light off to the side a bit helps to bring up the contrast which gives a more detailed three-dimensional look. Tis was done with one SB-800 and a shoot-through umbrella placed about 12 inches from the subject. For this shot I used the built-in flash of a D300s to trigger the off-camera SB-800. I set the SB-800 to Group A and the ¬¬¬¬mode to TTL. When shooting with a white background the metering system usually tries to underexpose the image (meters generally try for 18% grey). After a couple of test shots I ended up with a FEC of +2 EV. The image was shot with a D300s and a 105mm f/2.8G VR. Manual exposure 1/60 at f/8 ISO 200. 
(Click on image to enlarge)
| Top 5 Accessories for the Nikon Creative Lighting System 1. Photoflex LiteDome XS Softbox Kit for Shoe Mount Flashes - 12x16x9" – This small and portable softbox kit is a great accessory for shooting portraits, headshots and small products. It comes with a speedring and the hardware that allows you to connect it to your SB-600, SB-800 or SB-900. 2. Photoflex 30” White Satin Umbrella – If you’re on a budget this inexpensive umbrella can do the trick for portraits and small products. The translucent reflective material allows you to shoot through the umbrella like a softbox or you can bounce from it for a softer indirect light. 3. Manfrotto 1051BAC Aluminum Mini Air Cushioned Compact Stand 6.75' – This is a heavy-duty light stand for holding your Speedlight and lighting modifiers. The air cushion saves your equipment from crashing down if you forget to fully tighten the extension sections. 4. Impact Light Stand 6' – This is a lightweight stand that is inexpensive and perfect for use with one Speedlight and an umbrella. They are compact and great for traveling. 5. Photoflex Shoe Mount Multi-Clamp – This is a necessity if you want to attach your umbrella or softbox to a light stand. It has a clamp to hold the umbrella and it also allows you to tilt your Speedlight for precise control of the light.
Product Description
A full-color, go-anywhere guide to Nikon's entire array of creative lighting possibilities Nikon's Creative Lighting System is like having a low-cost, wireless, studio lighting system that's portable enough to fit into a camera bag. Although the possibilities are endless and exciting, setting up, synchronizing the equipment, and determining lighting ratios can be a bit overwhelming. Luckily, this Digital Field Guide has been completely updated to shed some light on the situation! Beginning with the basic functions of the Nikon SB-900, the SB-800, and the SB-600, the author then goes on to demystify the complexities of using multiple speedlights, adjusting flash outputs, and setting up a wireless studio. - Clearly explains how to get the best results when using multiple speedlights
- Includes examples and unique advice on how to light specific subjects, such as weddings, wildlife, portraits, product shots, and corporate locations
- Covers other Creative Lighting System components, such as Nikon's wireless commander and macro speedlights
With this handy, on-the-go guide, you'll no longer be in the dark on Nikon's Creative Lighting System.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 34
 Identical "free" information can be found elsewhere July 2, 2010
Chad Parent
I am an amateur photographer with a reasonable amount of experience, and purchased this book to learn basic lighting techniques with Nikon speedlights. After reading this book, my understanding of lighting with Nikon speedlights has not improved. That said, it is important to note that I'd also read a myriad of sources from photography forums to professionals' blogs. My point being, there is ample "free" information on this subject via the internet, and presumably, there are other, better books.
I rate this book 2 out of 5 using the following scale: 1) Horrible, 2) Below average, 3) Average, 4) Above average, 5) Excellent. This is relative to other books and literature available on the internet.
My major complaints with this book were the following:
1) As I mentioned above, there are other sources for the same information covered in this book: first and foremost, the user manual that accompanies your speedlight. Essentially, this book was a synthesis of the manual, but even more watered down (that is, the manual was more informative). After reading the book, it is clear that the book is geared toward beginners. The problem is, lighting and beginners are mutually exclusive: that is, to learn how to light well, you need an understanding of advanced techniques. The author does a disservice by watering down advanced content, and an even greater disservice by watering down basic content. The purported topics covered in this book are somewhat misleading. The basics are covered well, but at times too elementary. Some advanced topics are covered, but essential and requisite content is left out, or no instructions on how to execute the technique are given. Additionally, I expected there to be more content dedicated to lighting techniques.
2) There seemed to be no logical progression of ideas. Material discussed in later chapters was redundant with much material covered in earlier chapters.
3) Although subjective and 100% my opinion, I would think that if an author is going to publish a book on lighting they would use more stunning images. While many of the images demonstrate the point the author is trying to make (i.e., lit well, hence exposed properly), they are often boring and really not very good. From a self-titled "professional" photographer, the images were very ordinary.
 All in one place June 30, 2010
A RICHARD
This is my second purchase of a field guide book. The first was for the Nikon D60 and now this one - Nikon creative lighting systems. I would not have purchased a second field guide book if I had not found the first one a good addition to my growing pile of references. The (CLS) flash management system can become very very expensive and a bit confusing as to what you really need and the best use of your hobby budget. The field guides are well put together, all information in-one-place, easy to understand books that helped me make my choices. I was interested in using minimal flash set-up's for home-photography portraits and macro images. The book covered everything and more than I needed to know about Nikon flashes, applications, set-up, backgrounds, equipment and flash lighting in general. There is no one perfect photography book and I would not claim this book attempts to cover every detail concerning the use of flash lighting. But, the field guides are easy to read, and often the first that I pick up when I need a quick refresh or reference. I would certainly recommend them to a friend.
 Solid info on flash functions, applications a yawn April 17, 2010
Aaron J. Oster (Philadelphia, PA USA)
If you're looking for a book that will explain the functionality of Nikons CLS & AWL systems, this fits the bill. If the menu on your SB-800 or SB-900 confuses you, you will find step by step instructions to do the things you need to in this book. At its best, this book is a good instruction manual for CLS flashes and the CLS functions of the Nikon bodies that can fire them remotely. Also, if you're totally new to strobist-style photography, the rather basic and uninspired section about flash applications could be a sort of primer for you about how portable, multiple-flash systems work. Unfortunately, Thomas isn't much of a writer. His style is best suited to lists of instructions. If you have some experience with flash photography, or have read any of the much better books about flash (or spent some time with [...]), you'll find the applications section of this book rudimentary and annoyingly vague. To sum up: this book provides an excellent functional description of the Nikon CLS system. Go elsewhere to learn the nuances that will make your use of the Nikon flash system truly creative.
In Depth Guide - Nikon Lighting April 17, 2010
G. Mencotti (USA)
Another essential book in the valuable Digital Field Guide series. As an enthusiast with a D90 / SB-600, I need in depth guidance on issues such as assembling a multi-lighting system, the capabilities of the SB-600 and intermediate level techniques. This book suits my needs very well!
Mr. Thomas knows his stuff, and I suspect this book would be worth the money for those just breaking into Nikon flash territory, the semi-pro, and everyone in between.
My only caveat is that you really need to skim this book all the way through before attempting to apply individual techniques and applications. Mr. Thomas built the book that way; present the concept basically, then the advanced stuff later on.
Highly recommend this book!
Short of expectations April 5, 2010
Jesse Crenshaw (Laveen, AZ)
Item is just a piece of plastic without instructions. Way less tan I expected. On a positive note, delivery was fast.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 34
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