Photographic Lighting

I have finally decided that I should get better return on my rather substantial investment in the Nikon SB-800 speedlight.  The approach I’m taking is twofold.

First, I have been reading Light: Science and Magic by Fil Hunter, Steven Biver, and Paul Fuqua.  In my opinion, this is the definitive text on using light in photography.  It explains the properties of light and how to use it to photograph anything well.

Second, I have been spending an inordinate amount of time over at Strobist going over Lighting 101.  Strobist is a truly outstanding teacher who has been out in the real world actually doing the stuff he talks about.

Anyway, I am studying this stuff and have begun to experiment with some of the ideas.  I made my first images with the flash in Manual today!  One important thing I’ve begun to do is take notice of the lighting conditions around me and think about how to balance ambient and flash for creative and interesting results.  I want to take photos like the amazing stuff I see all over the Web.  If they can do it, I should be able to do it.

Hopefully this will take me to a new level and I can tell you what I am learning as I go.