Customer Reviews

The Art of Black & White Portrait Photography: Techniques from a Master Photographer

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The author is an artist of light, tonality, and contrast. This is an excellent how-to for lighting black & white images. The effects he achieves are sometimes mind-boggling. I had no idea that one could do what he does. The examples are drawn from many settings and the lighting used is carefully diagramed. Highly recommended.

A study of the works of Oscar Lozoya and what it takes to create compelling black and white portraits. There is an instant connection to emotion when viewing the images. This dramatic approach gives depth and meaning to an already superb work. Each depiction is thoroughly explained and a lighting schematic simplifies how the end result was obtained. Much can be learned through the abundance of technique and information this book offers.

The best photograph in the book was used for the cover. Many of the photos, as portraits, seem rather contrived. The 'techniques' are kind of old school, and frankly the author uses the same set-up again and again. I was disappointed in it as both a book of portraits and a book discussing technique.

If you have ever thought of doing black and white portrait photography, read this book. And if you are already doing black and white portrait photography, read this book. Why is this book so good? The photographs are superb. They were clearly the result from a master photographer's camera. I'd love to have one of his images in my collection. But perhaps more important to the potential reader is the technical expertise provided in the book. Each of the many photographs is accompanied by a lighting diagram. And, the text explains why each lighting arrangement was used. In addition, the author discusses his approach to each subject(s). One has a strong feel for the rapport necessary between photographer and client that is necessary to achieve this level of quality. This is definitely a book for every photographer's library.

Charles Heisterkamp, III, M.D.,

Photographer

The images in this book are breathtaking and beautiful. The variety of subjects from classic portraiture to publicity and folklore is impressive. I very much enjoy learning about different cultures and found this book to whet my appetite for the Mexican/American traditions. The text next to each image helped to explain individual photographs as well as why Oscar Lozoya started creating series of works. The homeless series made me look and see that he views the homeless as individuals with their own personalities that show through in the portraits he presents in this book.

Having seen original prints at an exhibit I must say that a good deal of tonalities were lost in the reproduction in the book. (As is to be expected when a photograph is copied for mass reproduction.) Mr. Lozoya's mastery of studio lighting in stunning in it's technical precision. As a photographer the lighting diagrams helped considerably to visualize the arrangement and placement of the strobe lights. There is also a good deal of information on how he contacts models and how the concept of each image took shape. The photographs in this book are sometimes classic portraits and there are also images that are strikingly different from the normal and challenge you to think. All of the photos are hard to forget.

This book helped to inspire me creatively and challenge the way I see photography as an art form. I would highly recommend it for anyone studying photography or wanting a creative jolt.

Mr. Lozoya's portraits can only be described as vulgar. The lighting is harsh and contrasty giving his portraits an "apparent" dramatic quality. His ability to "capture" the character of his subjects has less to do with Mr. Lozoya's ability to capture personality or "character" and more to do with taking advantage of his subjects -- the battered faces of the homeless, blind, handicapped, legless, toothless people. Otherwise Mr. Lozoya resorts to cheap theatrics of make-up, masks, horns, ridiculous dramatic poses, props and even fake blood.

For the publisher to publish Mr. Lozoya under it's "Masters Series" is deceiving and insults the true masters.

If you want to master black and white portrait photography study the portraits by Yousef Karsh.

I find Lozoya's work to be one of a kind. These are bold photographs that may stop you dead in your tracks. Each piece invites the viewer in, awakening the imagination to take over and tell stories inside the the stunning, suggestive worlds - elusive, rich in mystery, pathos and myth -at times nightmarish, Lozoya creates a dreamy cultural landscape. He has a knack for irony and humor as well as emotionally impactful imagery. I especially enjoy the Muerte series.

I highly recommend this book. I go back to it often for inspiration as an actor, writer and photographer. Lozoya captures the inner life of his subjects with compassion. The lighting and composition is alive and resonant. There is much to gain from an immersion in these photographs. The book will make a unique gift for anyone who'll appreciate absorbing story-telling through images.