Publisher's Synopsis
Gerd Ludwig, a National Geographic veteran known for his many photo essays, is one of the leading documentary photographers of our time. As a photographer focusing on diverse cultural and environmental stories, Ludwig is often confronted with a wide range of low-light situations-from classic street photography to portraiture, from scenes in bustling night clubs to intimate moments in churches-many of which require additional lighting that must be created quickly and effectively. Over 20 years ago, Ludwig began incorporating small handheld flashes into his photography with the aim of creating an evenly balanced look in the final photograph. At the same time, he wanted to avoid burdening himself with heavy equipment so he could be flexible and inconspicuous when moving around in the field. Over the years, he has refined his use of small flash by adding a few simple, handmade devices to his lighting kit that hone his technique even further. His use of flash appears so subtle in the final image that it is easily mistaken for natural light-an invisible flash. Recently, in his fine-art and documentary work in interior or night settings, Ludwig began making long exposures by combining a flash on a tripod with a series of flashes fired from a single hand- held unit. Ludwig is recognized as a master of combining available light with handheld flash, perfecting a technique where the flash is an essential, yet nearly invisible, element in the photograph. For both amateurs and professionals, this subtle but powerful use of flash can be a challenge to master. Indeed, even some of Ludwig's esteemed National Geographic colleagues have turned to him for advice.
