Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Celebrity and Editorial Photography

Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Celebrity and Editorial Photography
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Manufacturer: Amphoto Books
Average Customer Rating: Average rating of 4.0/5Average rating of 4.0/5Average rating of 4.0/5Average rating of 4.0/5Average rating of 4.0/5

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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 778.92
EAN: 9780817442279
ISBN: 0817442278
Label: Amphoto Books
Manufacturer: Amphoto Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 244
Publication Date: 2006-09-29
Publisher: Amphoto Books
Release Date: 2006-09-29
Studio: Amphoto Books

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Editorial Reviews:

Priceless--yet practical--ideas and insights from the master of portrait photography
* Ready-to-use insider tips for photographers at every level
* Author teaches across the country and is renowned for sharing his secrets

Michael Grecco is one of the best-known celebrity photographers in the world. His beautiful, insightful work is all around us--on movie posters, in advertising, on magazine covers, everywhere. "I delight in inspiring people," he writes. "I want them to stop, think, and feel." Now Grecco shares the secrets of great portraits with photographers at every level, in Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait. Sections on cameras, illumination, film and digital, creativity and conceptualization, connecting with the subject, and having a point of view, plus intriguing case studies that show "how I got that picture," make this book a resource photographers will use again and again through the years. Whether the subject is a star or a soccer mom, Grecco shows how to add artistry, drama, wit, humor, and personality to their portrait.


Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating: Average rating of 2/5Average rating of 2/5Average rating of 2/5Average rating of 2/5Average rating of 2/5
Summary: Heavy on the name dropping, light on the details
Comment: Obviously, Michael Grecco is an accomplished photographer, his body of work speaks for itself. On the dust jacket and in the introduction, Grecco says, "...Assistants and other photographers have asked why I would want to give away my secrets in a book..." After reading this book, I would like to assure Mr. Grecco's contemporaries that his secrets still lie safe with him.

Lots of allusions to celebrity and lots of high end equipment name dropping occur. There is very little discussion about development of the theme of an image. This is definitely a book for Grecco fans not for experienced photographers seeking additional insight. The title is deceptive, the chapter on Illumination is 44 pages, that's right, 44 pages.

Don't bother.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5
Summary: The pictures are pretty
Comment: There are a lot of pretty pictures, and a few lighting diagrams, but most of this book is Mr. Grecco recounting his favorite photo shoots with stories that don't lend much to teaching new photographers. It may be packed full of inspiration, but it's lacking on inspiration. Also, you will be hard pressed to recreate any of the images you see here, unless you have the kind of budget that would suggest you not be concerned about spending the $30 for this book anyway.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: wonderful peek into the world of reknowned pro photographer
Comment: This book is everything I had hoped. I wanted to see how the "big guys" get such gorgeous shots. It's true that just owning an expensive dSLR does not make you a professional, it takes practice, lots of photo shoots, and, most importantly, an eye for creativity. Grecco is an extraordinary photographer. I know I'll probably never be photographing celebrities or have the budget for a clan of assistants and high price lighting equipment, but some of his techniques I can certainly adapt. This is a wonderful book with enough tips and beautiful images to inspire any photographer.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5
Summary: Good beginning book
Comment: This is a good beginning lighting book, and it includes a helpful introduction to lighting terminology, techniques, and tools. Unlike many portraiture books, this one focuses more on editorial rather than consumer portraiture. As such, the illustrations are edgier and more conceptual. The book is pretty thin on substance, however, and rather high on ego. A good introduction, but nothing more. Hicks and Schultz's book Photographing People; Portraits, fashion, glamour has much better lighting diagrams and a lot more technical variety and instruction.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: A wonderful aproach, not so technical and not so philosophic
Comment: In this book, Grecco show us pictures and the creation ideas about them.
The lighting set-ups is only top view, but in his text, Grecco explain how create each image, the concept and techniques.

A good book for photographers that love portrait and want learn more about this photography segment.


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