Captured by the Light 1st (first) edition Text Only

by David Ziser

This book is not about how to start or run a wedding photography business; it's about how to take the best wedding photographs possible for clients. In this book, David Ziser will outline chapter-by-chapter and step-by-step exactly how to get great photographs. He covers lighting and posing, on-camera flash (and how to make it dance), using natural light, determining the best exposure, gear, the magic bullets in Photoshop and Lightoom, and more. He tells readers where to place the bride and groom, how to light them, where to place the light, what lens to use, and what f-stop, shutter speed, and ISO to use. It doesn't get any easier than this!David Ziser has shared his knowledge with tens of thousands of photographers in five languages, and in 14 countries worldwide. Studio Photography magazine says, "Award-winning photographer, David Ziser, is showing the world how to take wedding pictures."

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published September 21, 2009

Reviews

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a TON of great information and tips, but it's definitely targeted at a certain type of wedding photographer: one who's established enough to be able to have one, if not two, assistants. Ziser's shooting method--around which all his tips and techniques in the book are based--includes having an assistant always holding the reflector or the studio strobe/speedlight on a light stand and always being where the photographer needs him/her. For someone just starting at wedding photography or who doesn't/can't have an assistant shadowing and anticipating the photographer's every move, the information in the book is less useful. It would be great if Ziser also gave tips on what to do if you're the sole shooter and/or don't have an assistant, but that type of information is mostly lacking.

One great chapter in the book is about Ziser's choices of lenses and when he uses them during the wedding events, which was very useful. The chapters on composition are also excellent.

All in all, it had a lot of good, useful information. Some of it wasn't useable advice for me simply because I don't have the resources that Ziser or other established, busy wedding photographers do. But as someone who was needing a crash-course book on what to do for the first wedding I ever photographed (for a friend, not a client), it was useful...and better, I imagine, than many other wedding photography books out there. Between Ziser's book and Scott Kelby's The Digital Photography Book, volumes 1 and 2, I got a good enough technical background and tips to feel comfortable with shooting my friends' wedding.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually remember reading this in a bookstore a year and a half ago, and getting overwhelmed by all the lighting talk, but coming back to it now that I have a lot more experience under my belt, I have to say, I didn't find this book incredibly useful. For a book published in the 2010, the style of photography is somewhat outdated and while I agree that portraiture is important and needs to continue to find a place in wedding photography, no matter how photojournalistic the trends move toward, the images he chooses to share seem.... more often than not, strangely unflattering.

This isn't to say the information he gives isn't right, and that, particularly, his information on creating good light isn't spot on, but he essentially has published a book that speaks to an audience that died out 10 years ago. Time to move forward, guys.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more for beginners and has a ton of information in it. I love David Ziser and his works but much of this book is outdated and demonstrates techniques used in the 80's and 90's. However, the lighting diagrams and set-ups he uses are still useful for today's photography. He also gives some pretty good advice about wedding day timing, group posing, perspective, lens compression, lens selection etc...

Not a bad read either.

[JM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of examples on how to master studio-style wedding photography. Many useful tips and procedures to follow when working as a wedding photographer.

As other users have mentioned, book techniques imply at least one assistant and is focused on formal wedding photography. Bearing that in mind is an outstanding way to know the innards of that business.

[Idesign Studios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently reading and will always use as a reference. Stunning book, very detailed with what lighting to use and when.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best photography tutorial books I've ever read. Great for portraiture suggestions, not just wedding photography.

[Alexander Midence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must for any wedding photographer. It's basically a wedding photographers bible

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's taken me well over a year to finish this book but there is a ton of great ingformatin included. I learned a lot abut how to use my camera and flash to make even better portraits.