JonHoyle.com Mirror of MacCompanion
http://www.maccompanion.com/macc/archives/July2008/Books/PortraitCandidPhotography.htm

macCompanion MyAppleSpace Forum Archives Products Services About Us FAQs

Resources

                                           

Consultants

Developers

Devotees

Downloads

"Foreign" Macs

Forums

Hearsay

Link Lists

Mac 3D

Macazines

Mac Jobs

MUG Shots

News

Radio

Reviews

Think Different

Training

 

Portrait and Candid Photography:

 

Photo Workshop

Reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher

Author: Erin Manning

Wiley Publishing

http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470147857.html  

Released: October 2007

Pages: 250

$ 30 USD, $36 CND,  20 GBP

ISBN: 978-0-470-14785-6

Novice/Intermediate/Advanced

 

Strengths: Nice layout. Reads like a well instruction oriented lessons. Good glossary and index. Good photos and screenshots. Good bold highlighting of the number of the chapters and the titles on the top left pages makes for easy access and shuffling through the pages you want to find or browse. Good basic information about software and editors.

 

 

Weaknesses: If your require more information about photographic software and  editors Chapter 10 is a  good start but you might want to use other books to sharpen those skills.

 

Introduction

 

Shooting portraits and candid photography is an art in itself. It is not just luck and takes much preparation. But how do you learn how to make better photos for portraits and candid shots whether for commercial, your business or just of family? This book is a good place to start.

 

The author is Erin Manning, DIY Network host of The Whole Picture, who encourages photographers to take outstanding photos of people. This book represents the author’s efforts to provide instruction in this area.  She helps readers gain the skills and confidence to successfully use the digital camera as a tool to create and capture life's moments.

 

The 10 chapters include in-depth instructions and information about cameras, accessories, working with light, composing your pictures.  I particularly like  how the author details the information by focusing more concerning the using of your camera and using to  its best advantage. Of course   the technology and the basics are introduced. But what is even nicer, the reader can better learn  to develop their artistic eye, using techniques that will help prepare for actual photography. Action shots are also covered. The  last chapter 10, also includes  some information about enhancing and sharing your photos (even includes information about using Picasa (Google) and iPhoto (Apple), Windows software , Adobe’s Photoshop Elements and more.

 

Working with lighting, location, angle, composition, physical characteristics, environment, and more, including the unique challenges of photographing babies, group activities, and action, are covered with insightful instructions. Every one of the ten chapter ends with an assignment that readers are encouraged to complete. Users can even upload their best image to Photoworkshop.com too.

 

Conclusions

 

It is rare for a book to clearly show the photographer camera user how to study your subjects in their natural habitat. There are great ideas within this book which related to observing, reacting and interacting with your subjects and how make the photos come “alive”. The techniques for improving photos of babies and children are very interesting and well done. Learning to capture facial expressions and learning how to tell a story with a series of candid photos is also included.  There is a nice section concerning how to add interest to large-group shots.

 

If you are looking for a great instructional manual that focuses on techniques for portraits and candid shots, this is a great book. The fact that the instruction is teaching tips and information are performed in several ways other then reading the tests give you a better idea of how to take better photographs. I recommend this book highly.