Between workshops, assignments and speaking engagements, I’ve been busy working on ebooks the last year. And I’m happy to announce they are here! My first two ebooks are on topics I teach regularly on workshops, composition and lighting. These books are PDF format with terrific layout thanks to my friend Amber Jai Nowell.
As anyone knows who has gone on one of my workshops, my composition class has evolved based on feedback from my students. I’ve learned through the years what helps photographers spark their creativity, and what exercises and techniques can elevate creativity to a new level. I wrote this book as a reflection of the hundreds of students I have had the chance to be with in the field, and what has worked with improving their composition. As photographers know, creativity is never really mastered, we only find ways to further explore our own vision of the world, and try to interpret what we see. 30 Lessons in Composition examines 30 images I culled from 300,000 images shot over a 30 year period. I discuss my creative process in each image, what worked, and what might have been done better. I also lay out loads of camera technique to create the images; often creative vision can only be realized by mastering technique. You can purchase the book here.
Lighting has been a cornerstone of my career, and I am continually amazed at the transformational qualities of light. The Practical Lighting Handbook is aimed at beginning and intermediate photographers who want to learn lighting. The title sums up this book; I don’t go into mindless equations and specs on every lighting system on the market. Instead, I talk about how to create great travel portraits using one speedlight. Or how about creating ‘sunlight’ in a landscape image. Interested in macro flash, this book has it covered. I also look at multiple light portrait setups and high speed flash. This book will teach you how light a subject, not just illuminate it. Get this book here.
I will have my ebooks (for sale) listed on my workshop page shortly, but for now use the links above. More titles are on the way this year, stay tuned. I hope you enjoy the ebooks, and learn some new technique and creative approaches while reading them!