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37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Definitive Guide To A Career In Fashion Photography..., December 29, 2005
This review is from: The Lighting Cookbook for Fashion and Beauty Photography: Foolproof Recipes for Taking Perfect Portraits (Paperback)
I happened to come across this book in a recent trip to Barnes & Nobles. Why was I there? Well, I've been curious for some time about fashion photography and the world it encompasses. I deal, for the most part, in cinematography. However, any great technician becomes aware that lighting has many facets. I was interested in understanding its role as far as "beauty" lighting is concerned. I figure what better place to start than Fashion Photography! I purchased this book because of its in-depth look at lighting set-ups complete with diagrams and pic-by-pic comparisons. I have to say, this books strongest feature is its accessibility. Rarely does a book/manual such as this go so far in-depth while still maintaining that you are learning as you read on and any dogmatic terminology would only confuse you. Furthermore, it doesn't bog itself down with glimpses of its own superiority. There are no egos here. This book can easily be used by a working professional or picked up by an amateur photographer and have them well on their way to a successful career in fashion photography. Highly recommended.
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21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good introduction to fashion photography, July 30, 2007
This review is from: The Lighting Cookbook for Fashion and Beauty Photography: Foolproof Recipes for Taking Perfect Portraits (Paperback)
This is a very good book that accompishes it's specific topic, and does deliver simple "cookbook" recipes for portraits.
I got my money's worth, as I can "read between the lines" on many of the photos and the diagrams, however there are other authors more articulate in describing what that do, and more helpful in terms of having more thorough diagrams. This is a relative critism, as a novice may wince at some lights being 2 EV more than another, and not be comfortable with the lack of precise f stops or ratios of main to fill lights.
Yes, I could take off a point for there not being a "behind the scenes" photo of the actual set as some books have supplied. I also know that that such photos of actual studio sets could intimidate those with home studios from even trying to duplicate these images, lacking $10,000's of equipment that is at the beck and call of pro fashion photographers.
While a few model's makeup is clearly on the garish and gaudy side (Halloweenish comes to mind), that's fine with me, as I'm just interested in learning the lighting, and not bothered by the funky models- some look as if they are outer space vampires, with others made up as if from the 1930's.
One thing I've realized is the value of a good makeup artist. They really make a pleasant face into a stunning image suitable for a full page ad in Vogue, and know how to apply suitable makeup to handle the contrasty light that abounds in some magazines, making the model's face "pop out" at you, and justify the hefty advertising dollar$$ and similar model fees for the few lucky models who made it to the top. Same goes for hair stylists. It can often take 2-3 hours of work by these artists before a model is ready for the photographer.
For photographers using more everyday models and friends and families, and interested in picking up a few good hints on recreating some Vogue/fashion images with "real people" subjects, this 144 page book is well worth the price. It is worth trying out the different techniques that are not in the usual bookstore publications, as you try your hand at "fashion" style images.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good beginning book, October 10, 2007
This review is from: The Lighting Cookbook for Fashion and Beauty Photography: Foolproof Recipes for Taking Perfect Portraits (Paperback)
This is a good starter book. It begins with basics of lighting and begins to introduce more and more complicated setups.
It helped me understand the basics of lighting equipment and how to use them and this is particularly true for some of the initial lighting arrangements in both the womens and the mens sections.
My biggest criticism of the book is that it great to learn the craft, but not the art. Do not expect that this is your last lighting book if you're going to be serious about fashion and beauty photography.
My key takeaways were basic lighting arrangements for women and men, reliance on makeup artists, and basics of equipment. It's a good way to learn by copying---"If you want a shot like this, do this". The "cookbook" phrase in the title is a very correct claim. It will not teach you how to create a new recipe, but if you know what you need, it will tell you how to make it.
There's a show-offy feel to some sections which I could do without.
Someone who reads this book will be able to then move on to more sophisticated portraiture books like Grecco's Lighting and the Art of the Dramatic Portrait. I found it far easier to understand subtleties in Grecco's book after I had thoroughly read the cookbook a few times.
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