This kit comes with a DVD and an 83 page supporting book. The DVD unfortunately has to be played in a computer, which I really dislike. I spend way too much time in front of the computer already. I prefer DVD's that I can watch while I work out. They have a section that explains how it can be copied to your computer so it can be played on an ipod or ipad, but I prefer to watch on a TV.
The overall project is broken into 13 different chapters;
1. Natural light shot
2. Lifestyle portrait
3. One-light setup
4. Through the window
5. Using a beauty dish
6. Hard light
7. Building a reflective shot
8. Spiderlites
9. Create your own shade
10. Direct sunlight
11. Action shot
12. Off-camera flash shot
13. Dramatic fashion shot
In each section he talks about his camera settings, the lighting he is using, and any adjustments he makes and why. He talks really fast, which I overall like.
I really like the part in chapter one where he says he hangs his Pocket Wizard from the light stand. Another author suggested using velcro to attach it to your flash, which I did, then I had a horrible time getting it in and out of my camera bag because it kept sticking to it. I also appreciated the fact that he explained the only reason he uses an extra battery pack is for the faster recycle tim.
The book backs up his discussion with the technical details such as f-stop, ISO, exposure compensation, all that sort of stuff that we tend to obsesses on.
His examples of how flash changes in chapter two was quite good. He goes from on-camera, to on-camera with a diffuser, to bouncing off the ceiling, to off camera, to off camera with a shoot through umbrella. I've seen others do this demonstration, but I thought his was better, because his subject didn't change at all, so the contrast was stronger.
Chapter seven I recognized from another of his books, I don't recall which one, but it was interesting to see him build it.
While he uses a lot of different gear, lights, a big lens, has several models, and a couple of assistants floating around on the rented studio, he really makes the whole thing feel pretty down to earth. Like, "Hey, I could do that shot. That's not that complicated."
Oh, and I LOVED the fact that he admitted a couple of times "I'll tweak that in Lightroom" or "I'll use the recovery slider on that because I like the exposure overall."