Customer Reviews

Fashion Photography: A Complete Guide to the Tools and Techniques of the Trade

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The impressive thing to me about Bruce Smith's book is that he doesn't leave anything out. He starts at the beginning with information about equipment and location needs straight thru to post production and marketing your images. This is by far the most complete guide to handling every aspect of a fashion shoot I have ever seen. And the beautiful photographs not only help to teach and explain but also to illustrate his wonderful work along the way. After reading and re-reading... because there is so much information in the book.... you feel that you have Bruce as your personal consultant helping to guide and encourage you along every step of the way. This really is a complete guide and one of those books that I will return to over and over.

Very well rounded book with many helpful details. As a beginner/intermediate photographer looking to expand my knowledge and enter the professional photography arena this book was perfect.

I would highly recommend it to a friend/colleague and I am reading for the second time, currently.

Yes I do wish there was a bit more on lighting, but he's coming out with a new book on that. This is by far the most complete and best organized book on fashion photography I've seen. It's helped me tremendously in my work

If you are looking to bring life and emotion to your images, this book is for you. Many just take photos of pretty girls. Bruce teaches you tricks and secrets of world class fashion photographers. The results will be astonishing as they were for me. Now, my photos have more energy. You can feel the emotion that I have captured. THANKS BRUCE! If you are tired of taking the same type of photos and want to experience a life-changing revolution in your photography, read this book or attend one of his classes (www.brucesmithphotographer.com) and get ready to feel a renewed excitement.

Hi!! Im from Spain, this is an incredible book because you can understand all things in photography and you can know how to make a session, show your pics and make your team!!

I've just been reading Bruce's book for the fourth/fifth time having first read it abouut two years ago. I was surprised how much I picked up from the book on re-reading now that I have had some reasonable practice in photographing with models. Bruce outlines what you need to know, what's important and quick steps to getting there. There are tips on lighting (e.g. set your fill 2 stops down) that assume you know the basics about how to do that - and when you do then the quick tip is just the information you need. Of course the book left me wanting more, in fact today I came to this site looking for another fashion photography book that could be as good. I may just have to settle for a 6th reading. A second, more detailed book on lighting by Bruce would be welcome, based on this book which you could call 'Volume 1' I would buy the next installment.

Excellent book for the emerging pro. Written in a detailed, yet easy to read manner that follows a logical progression. This is a much better choice than "Fashion Photography Course" by Seigel/Barron's which I also own.

This book is absolutely wonderful, with plenty inspiring images for enjoyment and learning. I am reading the book the third time right now, and still finding useful tips from each page, and regretting that I did not pay enough attention on the first two rounds.

Bruce is a force of natural enthusiasm! The way he approaches writing about shooting; he loves it and his energy is infectious. This book is beautifully written and in a very "matter-of-fact" way of how to not only light but to respect the model and on the one hand; take control of the moment but to also let the moment happen. Enjoy the energy/ synergy of the shoot and just... let go. Break the rules and create something interesting!

This book WILL fill in the blanks of what you are missing in your studio or location shooting!

Google Bruce Smith Photography and check out his photographic work for yourself. This guy isn't a fly-by-night hack. He is a highly respected commercial photographer in Europe whom has worked with TOP models (male and female) and has worked on assignments that you and I can only dream of. And he wants you to achieve the same as well. He wants you to succeed, which is why this book is such a "no-holes-barred/ keep it simple" approach to TEACHING you HOW to shoot fashion.

Even if you are not a fashion shooter, I think this book can help you bring a new edge to your daily work: as a portraitist, wedding... or seniors/ high-school shooter. If you photograph people for a living... this is your new "Must Have" reference.

The section on retouching in Photoshop... forget what you've been taught before... too complicated, too plastic. The methods that Bruce outlines is far more naturalistic in correcting blemishes, whitening teeth and can even be applied to softening wrinkles before applying Clone Stamp! I'm not kidding. This ONE trick he outlines makes SO MUCH more sense.

Bruce also seems to host a series of seminars, both here in the States and in Europe. After checking this book out, I'm really tempted to attend one. The past-student work is impressive to say the least.

This book is an absolute MUST BUY.

I took Bruce's online course and learned a lot from the experience, not simply from reading ,but doing all the exercises, planning and shoots required to complete a fashion editorial spread.

His direct, to the point book is wonderful as it cuts to the heart of what's really involved in creating and marketing fashion imagery. No fluff, no theories, simply information gained from 30 years in the biz.
I've rarely seen any book on the arts that so squarely nails what's essential, in very clear language that leaves no room for misunderstanding. It's very obvious he's a master teacher & photographer.