Conclusion

Though this book is arguably one of the most comprehensive books published to date on the subject of flash photography, even at more than 400 pages, it barely scratches the surface. Lighting with flash offers tremendous creative and practical solutions, from the affordability and flexibility of off-camera hotshoe flash to the dizzying choices and budget-straining options of professional studio gear. And the fundamental principles of flash technique can be applied across all forms of short-duration photographic lighting: an expensive studio box really isn’t that much harder to use than a small Speedlite.

The book is frozen in time to when it was written, but who knows what technological innovations the future will bring? Since the last edition in 2010, we’ve already seen Canon introduce flash units with integrated radio controllers that provide full metering support. Maybe one day we’ll see infinitely variable on-demand color filters using transparent LCDs, tighter preflash timing to reduce blinking eyes, flash output zone control using a touch-screen interface on the camera LCD, and true continuous modeling lights employing high intensity white LEDs. Perhaps someday high efficiency LEDs will supplant xenon tubes altogether.

Whatever technical advances may come, the basic principles of using bright flashes of light to capture still photos will doubtless continue. And hopefully, this book has set some useful starting points for exploring creative lighting solutions. Have fun!

NK Guy
London, England
February 2016