Thorsten Overgaard's ebook. Any opinions?

[Redseele]

Hi all!

I am a fan of Thorsten Overgaard's work with his Leica. Not really his composition (which I think is not that interesting, particularly when compared to, say, the Magnum masters whose books I love to study) but I think his approach to using light to express something through photography is outstanding. I know that he has a lot of detractors and critics (some with whom I agree), but in general I really like his writings.

I was considering buying his ebook "Finding the Magic of Light", but before I do I was wondering if anyone has read it. If so, what are your opinions on it? Was it worth it?

I don't know if this is the correct place to post this so please feel free to move it if it isn't. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Jack Sparrow]

None that can be shared publicly. 😉

 

[willie_901]

I would offer my opinion but all I can do is invoke my 5th amendment rights.

 

[kbg32]

You might like this - http://vimeo.com/106179010

The film is nicely done, but it does not show any of his work.

 

[Redseele]

This is all so very mysterious so far.

 

[Thardy]

This is all so very mysterious so far.

Just some more of those "detractors".

 

[Pioneer]

I am not really a big fan of photographic e-books though I do have and use a Kindle pretty regularly. With an e-book all you can hope for is that your computer is really showing you what the author intended when it comes to illustrations. But, with that exception, I thought the book was ok. It is basically a collection of techniques orientated towards using the light. I thought he did a pretty good job with it and gives decent explanations of what to expect from each technique.

I thought it would have been better printed in actual book form and most of the techniques are not really new to someone who has been working with photography. What it does do is give you a repertoire of methods to work with instead of just happening on them as you photograph. Certainly not earth shaking but useful.

Personally I found it useful.

 

[Redseele]

Thank you for the responses. The book is still expensive for me (I'm a student) so I guess that I'll just have to wait a few more weeks until I can buy it.

 

[nikonosguy]

http://lavidaleica.com/content/overgaard-workshop-flim-flam


his workshops are shady at best - too much of a connection with the scientology guys for my taste -- plus he listens to justin beiber --- not much to say

 

[tuanvinh2000]

pretty funny. i think he is fine doing what he is doing. that is his business model and it works. dont like the 99% of photos at f0.95 and call it art. 😛 (I do think 0.95 has an advantage and can produce wonderful photos just not every shot).

http://lavidaleica.com/content/overgaard-workshop-flim-flam


his workshops are shady at best - too much of a connection with the scientology guys for my taste -- plus he listens to justin beiber --- not much to say

 

[bonatto]

http://lavidaleica.com/content/overgaard-workshop-flim-flam


his workshops are shady at best - too much of a connection with the scientology guys for my taste -- plus he listens to justin beiber --- not much to say

Ha. Funny read

 

[Jack Sparrow]

http://lavidaleica.com/content/overgaard-workshop-flim-flam


his workshops are shady at best - too much of a connection with the scientology guys for my taste -- plus he listens to justin beiber --- not much to say

LOL! That's awesome.

 

[Kwesi]

Thank you for the responses. The book is still expensive for me (I'm a student) so I guess that I'll just have to wait a few more weeks until I can buy it.

First of all, i haven't read this book so i cannot comment directly on it.
Given your limited resources as a student,
may i suggest that you avail yourself of some of the wonderful and free videos of Magnum photographers such as Alex Webb and Trent Parke? You may learn more about the "magic of light" through looking at the quality of light and how its used in their images than you can get from a single "how to" book.

 

[Pioneer]

First of all, i haven't read this book so i cannot comment directly on it.
Given your limited resources as a student,
may i suggest that you avail yourself of some of the wonderful and free videos of Magnum photographers such as Alex Webb and Trent Parke? You may learn more about the "magic of light" through looking at the quality of light and how its used in their images than you can get from a single "how to" book.

I agree. In fact, as much or more can be learned from going to the library and looking at photographs. Find the ones that seem to depict the photographer successfully using the light to make the photo. Try to figure out how they accomplished the shot and how you would recreate the photograph with your own equipment.

You may or may not be successful but at least you will be learning what does or does not work for you.

 

[daveleo]

I agree. In fact, as much or more can be learned from going to the library and looking at photographs. Find the ones that seem to depict the photographer successfully using the light to make the photo. Try to figure out how they accomplished the shot and how you would recreate the photograph with your own equipment.

You may or may not be successful but at least you will be learning what does or does not work for you.

+me on this . . .
libraries are loaded with good free stuff and they also do inter-library loans.

 

[Redseele]

+me on this . . .
libraries are loaded with good free stuff and they also do inter-library loans.

I agree entirely, but the problem with so many images is that there's a lack of explanation (hence my curiosity about a book precisely about that topic). Maybe a better question would have been "can anyone recommend a good book (of photographic technique or theory) about lighting in photography?"

Or:

(since I'm only really beginning to really appreciate the work of masters) can you tell me some people whose work with light might be particularly inspiring?

Thanks!

 

[yoyo22]

I agree entirely, but the problem with so many images is that there's a lack of explanation (hence my curiosity about a book precisely about that topic). Maybe a better question would have been "can anyone recommend a good book (of photographic technique or theory) about lighting in photography?"

Or:

(since I'm only really beginning to really appreciate the work of masters) can you tell me some people whose work with light might be particularly inspiring?

Thanks!

I would recommend to start with the composition - the geometry of good pictures. Check out the website of Adam Marelli www.adammarelliphoto.com.
He has written several interesting articles about the use of geometry in photography, always with great examples. Look for the "Surrealist Manifesto" and browse the site for some eye opening moments.

 

[aizan]

http://lavidaleica.com/content/overgaard-workshop-flim-flam


his workshops are shady at best - too much of a connection with the scientology guys for my taste -- plus he listens to justin beiber --- not much to say

😱

that article explains so much.

 

[Soeren]

Ouch english sounds awfull out of a danes mouth.

 

[Vobluda]

Ha ha very funny and very true.
However as an American the author of the article doesnt know that:
- having "von" in between names is common, you dont have to be rich aristocrat for that, you can inherit it
- from economical point of view EU is one country, beside new coming countries you can work in any of those countries and you dont need work permit
- many countries, not only EU, has between themselves contracts that are enabling double paying of the income taxes, they are payed only once

http://lavidaleica.com/content/overgaard-workshop-flim-flam


his workshops are shady at best - too much of a connection with the scientology guys for my taste -- plus he listens to justin beiber --- not much to say