Product Details
The Best of Portrait Photography: Techniques and Images from the Pros

The Best of Portrait Photography: Techniques and Images from the Pros
By Bill Hurter

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Product Description

Featuring techniques and images from more than 40 of the industry's top photographers, this resource shows the best methods for lighting and posing individuals, couples, and groups, both on location and in the studio. Details are included on how to pose subjects, elicit expressions, create dynamic compositions, and utilize traditional lighting setups. Whether a photographer shoots weddings, group portraits, executive images or a little bit of everything, this book serves as a how-to guide and an idea file. Fully updated with all new images and covering the newest digital technology and latest software versions, this resource is an indispensable guide for photographers.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #29082 in Books
  • Published on: 2008-02-01
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 128 pages

Features

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hurter's wonderful tips are certain to push your images over the top and away from the ordinary. I highly recommend exploring the benefits of this book for yourself."  —Shutterbug


"A complete, fully comprehensive guide for portrait photographers. Packed with invaluable information."  —Light and Shade


"From basics such as posing and composition, to technical aspects of focusing and lighting, this handbook addresses concerns for both amateur and professional photographers."  —PhotoSource.com


"A behind-the-scenes look at how the world's finest wedding photographers are using digital to shoot in more creative ways."   —PhotoGRAPHIC


"Packed with practical tips and truly dazzling images, this book will inform and inspire."  —Rangefinder


"This book is a must for anyone interested in creating portraits that are both marketable and memorable."  —PhotoStockNotes

About the Author

Bill Hurter is the editor of Rangefinder and the author of The Best of Children's Portrait Photography, Group Portrait Photography Handbook, The Portrait Photographer's Handbook, and The Best of Wedding Photography. He lives in West Covina, California.

Customer Reviews

Best book to begin learning portrait photography5
I've browsed quite a few portrait photography books and this is the best overall book I've found. It begins by discussing the goals of a successful portrait. This is followed by basics of posing, such as common frames, facial views, the difference between masculine and feminine poses, hands, the importance of camera height and pitfalls to avoid. Then compositional elements: rule of thirds, lines, pleasing shapes and tones. Then the 5 basic lighting setups: Butterfly, Loop, Rembrandt, Split and Profile. Then special situations such as child and family portraits. There are many inspirational example photos in a variety of styles. What is not discussed in detail is equipment such as the difference between softboxes and umbrellas.

If you are going to have just one book on portrait photography this should be it.

Getting Great Portraits5
As a portrait photographer, this is a must have book, well- written and easy to follow. Several great ideas and they work. At times it can be hard to get that perfect posture for portraits but this book helps and gives a lot of great ideas too.

A good overview with many tips5
I bought this after reading the other reviews and am glad I did.
The author showcases expert photographers and explains how their photographs illustrate the point he is making, whether about posing, lighting or how to interact with the subject.

This book is not a very technical book, notwithstanding the chapter with some diagrams describing lighting setups. Rather, this book will help push your portraiture to a higher level, if you already mastered basic technical understanding of how to set up your lighting, what settings to use on your camera and can already produce decent portraits.

It's written concisely, without too much bla bla and I found myself re-reading parts again - a sure sign this is a good book.