Group Portrait Photography Handbook [Paperback]

Bill Hurter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2005

Photographers of human subjects will appreciate the advice in this guide for capturing groups on film. From basics such as posing and composition to technical aspects of focusing and lighting, this handbook addresses concerns for both amateur and professional photographers. Indoor and outdoor settings are discussed, as are tips for working with subjects to capture a variety of emotions and personalities. This latest edition has been freshened with 180 new images and an expanded section on digital technology, including information on white balance, resolution issues, and digital proofing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Camera basics and techniques for posing, composing, and 'capturing' people from a couple to a wedding party."  —Reference & Research Book News

About the Author

Bill Hurter is the author of The Portrait Photographer's Handbook and is the editor of Rangefinder. He lives in West Covina, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Amherst Media, Inc.; 2nd edition (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584281596
• ISBN-13: 978-1584281597
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #627,774 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bill Hurter has been involved in the photographic industry for the past 30 years. He is the former editor of Petersen's PhotoGraphic magazine and currently the editor of both AfterCapture and Rangefinder magazines. He has authored over 30 books on photography and hundreds of articles on photography and photographic technique. He is a graduate of American University and Brooks Institute of Photography, from which he holds a BFA and Honorary Masters of Science and Masters of Fine Art degrees. He is currently a member of the Brooks Board of Governors. Early in his career he covered Capital Hill during the Watergate Hearings and worked for three seasons as a stringer for the L.A. Dodgers. He is married and lives in West Covina, CA.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Average with much info repeated, March 22, 2007

By 

A. Crafton "AC" (Warren, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Group Portrait Photography Handbook (Paperback)

The author has half a dozen or so books (portrait, family, children, etc.) and they are all essentially the same book with little new or different. The book is tediously basic at some points and there are not enough lighting diagrams or other techniques fully explained. Some of the comments are so obvious as to be funny (like joke and play around with children to put them at ease). I also don't think there are enough photo examples that are easy to recreate.

Overall, if you are a very new photog interested in a few ideas this may fit the bill. But you don't need to buy more than one of his books.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was very helpful to me., December 25, 2007

By 

Mark Coons "Music Man5" (Normal, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Group Portrait Photography Handbook (Paperback)

Group Portrait Photography Handbook

As an intermediate photographer but a beginner in portrait photography this book was a HUGE resource for me as I was asked to take a group portrait recently.

I had no idea what to do and this book was very helpful. It taught me about group shape, DOV, positioning and so much more. I read trhu it the first time very quickly as I got this book the day before I had to take the group photo! So I am looking forward to another reading of it.

My only complaint was I'd like to have seen more examples. A diagram showing placement for the photo examples would have been great.

If you ever have to (or want to) do any family or group photography then this book is for you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Group Portrait Photography Handbook - Review, July 28, 2007

By 

Stephen H. Kane - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Group Portrait Photography Handbook (Paperback)

This book did not live up to my expectations. The reader might reasonably expect a handbook to be just that: a treatise that explicates the method used to achieve the examples shown. This would translate to the listing of f stop, shutter speed, lighting arrangement, etc. for the photographic illustration chosen. Unfortunately this information was missing in most of the photos shown in Group Portrait Photography. Although there is some information that the reader can employ when photographing groups, I believe that other books on portrait lighting offer more usable material than was found in Group Portrait Photography. In fact, additional books I own by Mr. Hurter seem superior to this one.