John Gerlach's Guide to Outdoor Flash Photography

Sean C. Markus: I purchased this book to improve my flash game in landscape photography. I ended up learning so much more about other areas of general photography, and some tips on how to ensure my pics pop. I enjoyed this book so much, that I've purchased other books written by John Gerlach. It might be one of my favorite photography authors...

United States on Nov 05, 2020

Amazon Customer: This book started me on exploring flash photography for nature & wildlife - butterflies, flowers, hummingbirds, birds, and mammals. I am happy with the results I am getting after exploring the concepts in the book. However, once I started experimenting more, I realized that there are practical aspects where the author could have gone deeper. For example - the chapter on hummingbird photography is a great starting point, but once you start experimenting, you realize that this book can't be used as a reference book to go deeper on hummingbird flash photography. You end up reading additional material to get a hand of things. But it's a great book for beginners, and I am fortunate to have discovered this book & started my journey with flash.

United States on Oct 02, 2020

Andy: I have noted in other reviews, that I am not a fan of the "star" system for rating/review. In the end, the real question for a reader is should they buy this book and is it worth the value. I think it is. Having said that, most of my review will be "critical" (not necessarily in the negative sense, but in the sense of how this could be an outstanding book with a little editing).

I grew up in Michigan, and have spent a fair amount of time photographing there, especially in the Upper Peninsula, where the author once lived. I have heard of his legendary workshops, and even ran into one of them a few years back and had a brief chance to introduce myself to John and speak to him. My takeaway was what I expected from having several of his books in my library - a very nice man.

But about the book. I want to note that any book review of this nature is going to be subjective. We all learn and perceive differently. What doesn't work for me my be perfect for you.

There is a LOT of good information here! But you really have to WORK for it. I do not mean in an intellectual sense. Rather, the style and presentation of the book makes it hard work to get to the meat of the...

United States on Jul 01, 2018

bajadreamer: Terrific book that explained very clearly a number of concepts and situations with flash. Best book on outdoor flash I have seen and the only reason I did not give it 5 stars is that, in my opinion, it did not devote enough time to my passion-bird photography. I realize that the chapters on fill flash and balanced flash are applicable, but because I shot birds that are often constantly moving I need to have a better knowledge of not only ETTL flash but other camera settings that will be changed automatically as I need them. I do not have the time to take test shots, and measure distances.

United States on Sep 28, 2017

J.S: I loved all of Gerlach’s previous books, so I was eager to read the Outdoor Flash Photography book. And I know John from having attended his hummingbird multiple flash photography workshop in British Columbia. I photograph everything, but my primary interest is landscape photography. I just got my book and jumped right to chapter 10 – Flash in the Landscape. Often, I have trouble getting my flash to add enough light to portions of my landscape images. Chapter 10 is a gold mine of new information for me. I knew to increase the ISO, open the aperture, move the flash closer to the subject, and zoom the flash head to concentrate the light emitted by the flash, but John covers twenty ways to help the flash light large objects, multiple objects, or objects quite a distance away – even more than 100 yards at night! It has completely changed how I think about using flash, and will pay enormous dividends in my landscape shooting. This book is amazing in both content and instructional images. I also enjoy close-up photography and I love how he teaches how to determine what you want the ambient light to do first, and then make the flash do its work. The technique of using flash as the...

United States on Aug 06, 2017