Lighting and Exposure Techniques for Outdoor and Location Portrait Photography [Paperback]

J. J. Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002

Portraiture is a complex craft, made exponentially more difficult by the variable lighting, cluttered backgrounds, and equipment limitations of location shoots. This guide leads beginners and professionals alike through all the technical and creative challenges of this increasingly popular art form. Subjects covered include choosing film, picking lightweight and durable equipment, calculating exposures, using the Zone System, and making the best of ambient light. Tips and techniques are reinforced with full-color examples, accompanied by advice on posing and composition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J. J. Allen is the author of Posing and Lighting Techniques for Studio Photography and has been a regular contributor to Rangefinder for nearly 30 years. He lives in Hapeville, Georgia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Amherst Media, Inc. (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584280778
• ISBN-13: 978-1584280774
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,493,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Discussions on Metering, November 20, 2005

By 

Rebel POW (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lighting and Exposure Techniques for Outdoor and Location Portrait Photography (Paperback)

The full name of this book is: 'Lighting and Exposure Techniques for Outdoor and Location Portrait Photography'. Whew, big title for a book.

I like this book... mostly it stays on target and provides useful, replicable information.

What I like about this book:

1) Only the smallest amount of filler;

2) Stunning images. I WANT to do portraits like JJ Allen.

3) Good diagrams

4) One of the better discussions on metering that you're likely to ever read. A good thing too, knowing proper metering techniques is vital for outdoor photography.

5) Delivers the kinds of pearls of wisdom that we buy these books for. Consider: "When using mismatched light sources, always use the light that casts shadows with the sharpest edge as your main light source."

What I don't like about this book:

Not a lot, really. Mr. Allen is somewhat of a medium format bigot, with a rather condescending chapter on what to do if you must use 35mm... You CAN still make acceptable images!

Still, everyone's entitled to their opinion and the tips and techniques that you'll pick up in this book makes it easy to overlook its' very few warts.

Good stuff, if you shoot much outside, you'll want this book.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Logical Approach For Better Portrait Photography, August 3, 2003

By 

Wess Gray (Enid, OK United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lighting and Exposure Techniques for Outdoor and Location Portrait Photography (Paperback)

Most portait photography books teach by making you a "clone" of the author. Mr. Allen's aproach to portraits (in both of his books) is not that way. He teaches you how to think about your own style of portraiture and then how to test your technical approach in a step by step method, so as they say, "you can get it on the film". If you follow his logic, there is no way you cannot end up a better photographer.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great photos and helpful text, March 28, 2004

By 

Sharon L. Hudson (West Virginia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lighting and Exposure Techniques for Outdoor and Location Portrait Photography (Paperback)

The book is helpful and directive with good explanations on how to set up on-location lighting, mostly using natural light. It is beneficial to me, however, it deals primarily with medium format, non-automatic, cameras and equipment; only one chapter deals with 35mm and autofocus cameras. Even though the book was written in 2003 the author never mentions digital photography, never even touches on it. That is a drawback. If you are using digital, this book may not be good for you. The information about use of lighting, diffusers, and reflectors is still a great help. I do recommend the book.