Using flash for modern digital photography has become an art form in and of itself. Because of the high technology of Nikon's modern iTTL flash systems for advanced lighting, even professionals can be left flustered when it comes to learning how to use the full potential of these systems.
Even those who are competent in the art of photography have found it more difficult to learn about using any kind of flash beyond the shoe mount unit attached to their camera. This is where The Nikon Creative Lighting System comes in. Its goal is to start at a basic level and work with you through the more advanced features so you can become more comfortable about using Nikon's iTTL flash system. The book is 250 pages in length and is divided into 16 chapters.
Chapter 1, "CLS Background," begins by explaining what the Creative Lighting System (CLS) is and what iTTL is. You are also shown what some of the limitations of iTTL are, as well as what camera bodies it works with. Chapter 2, "Quick Start Guide," is just that, a set up guide for walking you through different scenarios such as setting it up as a slave or master flash.
Chapter 3, "Flash Theory," is important to your photography even though it can seem tedious and difficult to learn. Here you will see how the flash works, how to control the power, and how to control the light. Chapter 4, "SB-600 Buttons, Modes, Menus, and Operations," will walk you through the operation of your SB-600 flash by explaining the two basic ways it can be used on your Nikon CLS compatible camera.
Chapter 5, "SB-800 Buttons, Modes, Menus, and Operations," shows you the three different ways you can use your SB-800 flash. This was once the flagship flash product for Nikon. Chapter 6, "SB-900 Buttons, Modes, Menus, and Operations" now looks at Nikon's latest flagship flash product, the SB-900. Here you will see how to use it in the three different modes of use - as a flash mount, a commander flash, or a wireless remote flash.
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