Book excerpt: By emphasizing basic principles of good lighting and how to apply them, this informative guide shows advanced amateur photographers and professionals how to improve their photographic skills. After explaining different types of light, flash basics, and the benefits of on- and off-camera lighting techniques, it discusses how to use this information to increase the “gasp factor”—that powerful, emotional response that compels the viewer to take a second look at a photograph. Also included are assignments meant to help solidify this new flash knowledge for the photographer in order to put it into practice. As a bonus, the book contains inspirational stories demonstrating real-world applications of the techniques from a photojournalist with decades of experience.