Customer Reviews

Fine Art Children's Photography: Techniques and Images in Black and White

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fine Art Children's Photography: Techniques & Images in Black and White

by Doris Carol Doyle and Ian Doyle Soft cover, 127 pages. Amherst Media, Inc.

I like this book very much because the photographer/author stresses something I have always believed--a child doesn't have to look perfect, prim and proper for a portrait. In fact, professional portraits of your child having fun and just being a child will probably be your family's favorite and best remembered photographs. The use of black and white film for these photographs gives them a character and style of their own, and lifts them from the realm of being informal snapshots to the medium of art. Photographer Doris Carol Doyle introduces herself in the front of the book and tells how she started doing children's portraiture in her home, using equipment and props that were available. She produced some striking images, so if you are getting started as a photographer her example will give you confidence that you don't have to have a complete and expensive studio to get started. Accompanying each image is a diagram of the layout she used, and a complete description of her equipment. Doyle takes the time to discuss the little things that make all the difference when taking a portrait. For instance, seating the subject a little lower than the camera causes the child to look up, showing more of the whites of their eyes and making the eyes look bigger and brighter. By watching a child's hands and stance you can get an idea of their comfort level and she stresses don't limit yourself where backgrounds are concerned. Parks, fences, buildings and beaches make delightful backdrops for children's portraiture. Doyle includes a section for various age groups of children in her book. This is helpful, because each age brings new delights and new problems. She discusses photographing a child with their pet, their friends, family members, favorite things and while involved in favorite activities. Location shooting is discussed as are using fill flash, reflectors and natural light. A smaller photograph shows the exact placement of the camera, flash and reflectors for many of the images. A complete description of the area and circumstances during the shoot is explained. Most important, Doyle uses examples of her photographs where the child's face is not key to the image, and how such images can be successful. A photograph on the back book cover shows two young boys walking away from the camera. They are on a beach, the taller of the two has his arm around the shoulder of the smaller boy. If this were an image of my two sons, I know this photograph would be a favorite of mine. Children are shown giggling, laughing and looking down at things. Childhood is such a fleeting time, it's important to have photographs of your children enjoying that wonderful, magical season and this book will help you do that. Because of the small details Doyle shares with readers, the ease of reading and the clear illustrations, I give this book a strong four star rating.

Marilyn Dalrymple

I love this book! Even if you are not into child portraiture this is a great book to read. The photographs are beautiful and there is an illustration next to each photograph of the equipment and what lighting was used. There are also many handy tips for getting the pose you want from the child model.

Perhaps a "how-to" book of this nature appeals to the amateur weekend photographer who has never read anything about children or portrait photography. The book gives no technical information regarding camera settings or studio lighting output. The studio lighting is redundant and unimaginative (not to mention contradictory in some cases) and most of the images are boring. My only guess is that this book was, in fact written for the weekend photographer and in a "feel-good" (hey, I can take pictures of kids and so can you!) manner so as not to scare off potential sales. Regarding the picture of the two young sisters gazing off into the distance, the author admits she had no idea how she got the shot and that all the shots before and after were "bad". Wasn't the author looking through the camera when she took the pictures? Personally, I have nothing against any how-to book that informs the reader, but with the exception of one or two "tips", the book has little to say. As for the title, shooting in black and white does not constitute "fine art". A better title would have been, "A Beginner's Guide to Shooting Black & White Pictures of Kids".

This book is easy to follow and read and is the best book about photographing children that I have found. It gives both indoor and outdoor suggestions and gives great ideas for good composition.

This is a wonderful book on the how to's of black and white childrens photography. I think this book would be useful not only to a professional but also for an amatuer looking to take better pictures of their own children. I think the book gives great insight into how a very talented photographer works. Doris really knows her "stuff" I not only know this from her book but first hand, she took my pregancy portraits and did a beautiful job! She is truly a talented artist!