Need a good portraiture book...

kelly1

Hello all,

could someone please recommend a good portrait photography book? I bought Christopher Grey's "Master Lighting Guide" but I found it a bit lacking in detail and too short.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Noel.

Borderfox

Some of the Kelby stuff online is very good

http://www.kelbytraining.com/

I thought "Digital Portrait Photography" by Steve Sint was a good read. Quite detailed.

No idea what Kelby's online training is like, but I have his three "Digital Photography Books" trio box set. Didn't think much of the books at all, to be honest. Very vague.

Thecageyone

Just don't bother with Karl Taylor. I borrowed his Dvd and from the off he jumps right into extravagant lighting set ups, and his models are terrible.

I learned more from the Zack Arias dvds, but that again was more about lighting [though a lot related to portraiture]

kelly1

Thanks for all the replies. Just to clarify, when I say a portraiture book, I'm talking about studio lighting for portraits.

Hugh_C

I'd suggest getting out and doing it rather than reading about it (a bit like a few other activities in life)

PS there's a bunch of stuff online at http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html which got me started.

kelly1

Hugh_C wrote: »

I'd suggest getting out and doing it rather than reading about it (a bit like a few other activities in life)

PS there's a bunch of stuff online at http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html which got me started.

I need both theory and practice really. I need to know about common pitfalls and things like open and closed loop lighting and how to use a light meter. e.g. Do you point the meter at the camera or the light source and suchlike.

Thecageyone

I've a light meter on my phone

That's the only one I'll ever own unless I go the film route ... as if.

Hugh_C

Thecageyone wrote: »

I've a light meter on my phone

That's the only one I'll ever own unless I go the film route ... as if.

I've managed without a meter even with film, Sunny 16 Rule roolz

Thecageyone

May as well have one for free on your phone though. Not sure how reliable they are for film bit I've tried it a few times and it seemed closeenougj to spot on.

thebaz

someone gave me a book on Cartier Bresson portraits - and along with the Americans, is my favourite photo book - i have gone off his street stuff, but he was a genius at portraits - along with Karsh , no one can touch them today, in my eyes anyway

VisionaryP

Photographing People

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photographing-People-Portraits-Fashion-Glamour/dp/294037807X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299196243&sr=8-1