On Light, On Books

I am absolutely engrossed in work with some complicated lighting solutions.

I am smirking thinking of the ‘old days’ trying to shoot with a ‘bare minimum’.

Can’t really grasp the “documentary style” which is used as an excuse to produce crappy pictures with available light. Of course, there are lighting situations present themselves when extra light might not be necessary. That is rare.

Joe McNally put it real well about “natural” light:

“Hug all the trees you want. Grow hair everywhere. Eat lots of fiber. Run naked through the forest and howl at the moon. Start primal scream therapy.”

That’s how he starts the very first chapter of his book “The Hot Shoe Diaries”.

I got Joe’s “The moment it clicks” book and literally could not put it down until I devoured it from cover to cover.

Some reviewers of the book complained about lack of “recipes” and about the fact that Joe has stars for models and chopper and all. Well, the chapter on stealing garbage can and driving smelly van afterwards doesn’t sound like a glam kinda shoot. As far as the “recipes” go…. I was able to get an idea about every shot that was described in the book. Do people actually looking for every single bit of data there? I guess they have to buy “Photography for dummy” first.

I run fast and ordered “The Hot Shoe Diaries”. Well, the book has a lot of great information. I am disappointed with Joe’s style of writing for this book. I found crude humor and overly ....hmmm... casual language that is very distractive. I am not judging Joe’s witticism, it’s just plain difficult to read sometimes. Although I must say I enjoyed the humorous part when he relates to his daughters, especially party bus. I guess people and myself included are not accustomed when somebody’s personality shines through “the tutorial” that supposed to be “serious”.

But the thing is – Joe could’ve written that book backwards and I’d still read it. It’s a great book and I guess Joe could afford to allocate a big part of text to crude rants – he has something to say there.

I really recommend both his books. They are very inspirational and will make anybody a better photographer.