The Portrait: Professional Techniques and Practices in Portrait Photography

by Eastman Kodak Company

Covers the key aspects of the art and practice of professional portrait photography. Offers expert guidance with chapters by top professional portrait photographers on topics such as selecting... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0879855134
• ISBN13: 9780879855130
• Release Date: June 1998
• Publisher: Silver Pixel Press
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.6" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

great little book for those interested in portraits

The book was excellent in every respect. it gave me many ideas and different perspectives for posing. sometimes we tend to get static in setting up formal group shots and this book gave many unique ideas for posing. i especially liked the fact that it outlined where lighting should be set up and its effect. The used book price was right and i could see virtually no wear on the product. buy it if you can.

Incredible Illustrations

The photos in this book are inspiring and the text is comprehensive and easy to follow. Each technique is demonstrated with one or more beautifully composed photographs.

Overview of portrait business, lacking in technical detail

I asked the posters on a large format board for opinions on books on portrait photography, specifically detailed information on lighting techniques and posing, and several HIGHLY recommended this book.Unfortunately, it was not what I looking for. However, it is a fine overview of the portrait business in general, and I recommend it for someone intending to enter the business. It contains discussions on selling, dealing with the customers, and the studio environment, and discusses different types of portraiture, such as glamour, wedding and corporate.There was one chapter on lighting techniques, but wasn't as in depth as I would have liked. Moreover, methods were discussed and not demonstrated explicitly in the accompanying photos. Main light patterns such as closed loop, open loop, butterfly and broad are discussed without giving photos showing what they are. I still have little idea what they are.Similarly, the chapter on equipment actually contained very few photographs portraying the equipment discussed.The lack of "technical" photos demonstrating the equipment and technique is very uncharacteristic of Kodak's books. It seems that they included a collection of portrait photographs, sprinkled throughout the book, often having little connection with the subject discussed. However, this book also has much less of the "Kodak advertising" that their other books suffer from.I felt that this book, overall, was rather good for what is was supposed to be. My criticisms are small and hopefully would be taken as suggestions to improve the next printing. Someone actually wanting to start a portrait business will require deeper technical knowledge than that provided here. I will be reading "The Lighting Cookbook" by Jenni Bidner to pursue this knowledge. I still haven't found anything that discusses posing, though.

This is a must have book !

Their are very few books that really are worth their price. This book is one of the rare educational books that every photographer should have to have to read over and over!

Excellent

Having read several books on portraiture and studio lighting, this book really stood out. Besides thoroughly covering every subject related to the business of professional portrait taking, the book is packed full of stunning examples of top notch photos. Lots of technical info. This book is a 'must have' for anyone with a significant investment in 35mm, or medium format equipment.