Stephanie Zettl - Nikon Speedlight Handbook

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to Peter Zettl, my husband, best friend, and business partner. We really do have the greatest adventures. I love you. And to David A. Williamsknowing you has not only made me a better photographer, it has made me a better person.

Copyright 2012 by Stephanie Zettl.

All rights reserved.

All photographs by the author unless otherwise noted.

Published by:

Amherst Media, Inc.

P.O. Box 586

Buffalo, N.Y. 14226

Fax: 716-874-4508

www.AmherstMedia.com

Publisher: Craig Alesse

Senior Editor/Production Manager: Michelle Perkins

Assistant Editor: Barbara A. Lynch-Johnt

Editorial Assistance from: Carey A. Miller, Sally Jarzab, John S. Loder

Business Manager: Adam Richards

Marketing, Sales, and Promotion Manager: Kate Neaverth

Warehouse and Fulfillment Manager: Roger Singo

ISBN-13: 978-1-60895-451-3

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011942802

Printed in The United States of America.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without prior written consent from the publisher.

Notice of Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is based on the authors experience and opinions. The author and publisher will not be held liable for the use or misuse of the information in this book.

Check out Amherst Medias blogs at: http://portrait-photographer.blogspot.com/

http://weddingphotographer-amherstmedia.blogspot.com/

PHOTO BY JOHN FEDELE.

S tephanie Zettl is a photographer from St. Louis, Missouri who specializes in photographing people. She got her start as a freelance newspaper photographer. She enjoys photographing people and their relationship to the world. In 2003 she started her own business specializing in documentary-style wedding and portrait photography. Her husband, Peter, later joined her in the business as a photographer and business partner. Together they have developed it into one of the top wedding studios in St. Louis, winning many awards both locally and internationally.

Stephanie is a respected lecturer and mentor who enjoys watching new photographers improve their skills. Education is important to Stephanie and she believes that photographers should invest in themselves by studying both the technical and creative sides of photography.

My passion lies not in the act of pressing a shutter button, but in telling the story of the person in front of my lens, she says. Knowing my technical skills so that they become second nature to me allows me to better connect with my subjects and share their stories with much more clarity and strength.

More of Stephanies work can be found on her website at www.zettlphoto.com.

T here are a lot of people I need to thank for the success I have achieved in my life. I would have never been able to accomplish so much without the love, support, and help of my family, friends, and mentors. My sincerest thanks for all you have done.

There are a few people who have helped me with my adventures as a photographer and in the writing of my first book. I would like to specifically thank them here.

To Neil van NiekerkYour friendship, help, support, and sometimes less-than-gentle nudges to keep focused on writing the book have been very much appreciated. Thank you!

To Ray KerstingYou will always be lovingly known as the little pebble that started the avalanche of good things.

To Alecia Hoyt and Jeannie WorleyFor the reminder to dream big, because dreams do come true.

To Phil Braden, Lindsay Silverman, and Matt KachevasFor taking the time and energy to explain in detail some very fascinating technical information.

To those who have helped me see the light, shape the light, and create the light: Chuck Arlund, Greg Gibson, Cliff Mautner, Jerry Ghionis, and John Michael Cooper.

To Storey WilkinsOur conversations about life and art have greatly influenced my work.

To all my wonderful clients who invited me into their lives to document it.

To my fabulous models who patiently sat for photos in this book: Briley Jones; Feleg Abraha; Mallory Brown; Millissa Rodgers; Ray Prevost; Hadassa and Brian Brooks; Lindsay Crawford; Keith and Alison Lee; Tammy Howell; Diana Pitts; Meredith and Brandon Thiergart; Madeleine Hepperman; Danielle Ronco; Jody Wynen; and Jenny Battenberg.

To Chrissy Stojan, DShannon Llewellyn, Holly Speakes, and Cindy McCalla for all your help on hair and makeup for my models.

To those who assisted on photo shoots for the book: Jen Norris, Pam Bredenkamp, and Benjamin Trevor Bremmeier.

And finally to Bruce Schneider, who took a chance on me in my senior year of high school and let me be a student newspaper photographer when I didnt even know what an f-stop was. His kindness and belief in me started me on a journey that has taken me to places I could have never imaged. I wish he were alive so that I could share this with him.

BY N EIL VAN N IEKERK
WWW.NEILVN.COM/TANGENTS

O h, youre so technical in your photography is a comment that just rankles me. As if it isnt possible to know what youre doing and be creative. As if knowledge negates inspiration.

Amidst all the either/or discussions (whether it is better to have technical command of a subject or better to be a creative person) is a simple truth: we need both. The best photographers, by far and large, have a clear grasp of the technical aspects of photography as well as a creative energy for what they do. These two things are not mutually exclusive.

With a solid understanding of how our equipment works, and of the fundamentals of light and lighting, we will be much better equipped to deal with challenging situations. We can also more readily respond to a subject on an intuitive level because we dont have to get stuck on settings and dials.

Photographers need a near-instinctive understanding of the essentials. We need to know how to handle our camerasand how the choices we make about shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and focal length each affect our final images. We need to just know these things on a level where we can access it without thought. Only when we understand how everything interrelates, only when our camera controls and settings intuitively fall under our fingers, are we able to respond instinctively and capture those moments effortlessly and with success.

Of all these things we need to understand, the use of flash is often most mystifying to the new photographer. There is no escaping the fact that insight into how our flashguns workwhat they are capable of and how best to apply flash photography techniqueswill impact our photography if we have it all down pat. We need to know these things.

In your hands you hold a book written by a photographer who is accomplished, skilled, and creative. Stephanie knows her stuff! In this book, she brings together the technical aspects of Speedlights and the related gear, instructions on how to shoot with the equipment, and techniques for achieving great images. These are the things we need to know. Enjoyand make it your own!