Monte Zucker's Portrait Photography Handbook [Paperback]

Monte Zucker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007

Master of portraiture Monte Zucker presents page after page of essential photographic lessons to enable photographers to achieve and exceed their financial and artistic goals. Providing instructions on how to conduct a well-crafted client consultation, readers will learn which angles of the face to photograph, how to pose the body, where to place the camera, and the proper positioning of lighting equipment in order to cultivate an emotional connection with clients to produce an ideal image. Chapters with expert advice on digital imaging cleanup and finishing techniques, clothing and makeup selection, and location and studio backdrop options to reinforce portrait concepts are also included.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is certain to improve the quality of your images and that makes it a must-have addition to your personal library."  —Shutterbug

About the Author

Monte Zucker is a world-renowned photographer and lecturer who was named Portrait Photographer of the Year by the United Nations in 2002. He is also a recipient of the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Lifetime Achievement Award. He lives in North Miami Beach, Florida.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Amherst Media, Inc. (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584282134
• ISBN-13: 978-1584282136
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have "Bible" for the Beginning Portrait Photographer, February 28, 2008

By 

William A. Tricomi (Madison, WI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Monte Zucker's Portrait Photography Handbook (Paperback)

Among photographers, the late Monte Zucker was ackowledged as one of the world's greatest portrait artists in the world. Written not long before he died, Monte Zucker's Portrait Photography Handbook is a fitting legacy to his career as a photographer and as an instructor.

In the introduction, the author comments that so many photographers don't want to take the time to study or learn any predetermined technique. They want to discover their own style through their own sense of creativity.

He writes (pg 6) "Does that make any sense at all? Do you really believe that anyone can figure it all out by himself? To my thinking, it makes much more sense to get youself a "coach"....If you think about it, what doesn't make sense is someone wanitng to figure it all out by himself."

And with those words one of the great portrait photographers presents a step-by-step tutorial on what he does to create great portrait photos. We're not talking about esoterics like advanced color theory, controlling chromatic aberration in lenses, or philosophical debates on how one should relate to his subject. Monte's philosophical section in the book, called "setting goals", is about half a page long. He says, in part, "If you are emotionallly connected with my subjects when you see their portraits, I feel that I have done my job."

That sets the tone for this book. Monte isn't interested in intimidating you with the brilliance of his photographic knowledge. He wants to show you that if you apply the lessons he's learned from a lifetime of experience, you'll start taking some fantastic photos. You'll learn what works and why, what doesn't work and why. The goal for his readers is for them to practice with good technique until those technical aspects of a shoot become instinctive, second nature, to them.

This is an introductory level meat-and-potatoes instruction guide on understanding what makes a good portrait photo. It deals with the basics from start to finish.

And by "start" Monte isn't talking about setting up the camera. The first chapter is devoted to "Consultation". It is necessary to discuss with your photo subject ahead of time such topics as what clothing is appropriate for a shoot, including necklines, sleeves, colors and patterns in the cloth. How to coordinate clothing for group shots. And what part hairstyle and makeup play.

If your idea of the start of a portrait shoot is waiting for your subject to show up, you're already behind the curve.

Then comes the chapter on background selection for outdoor or studio settings, and some interesting choices one can make, for example, in painted or projected backgrounds.

Next chapter is "The Subject". Monte explains the importance of doing a preliminary facial analysis of your subject if you're going to make your subject look his/her best. He discusses different facial angles, including the classic full face, two-thirds view, and profile. He talks about looking for strengths and defects in hair, eyes and nose and how to utilize, or minimize, their effects.

The chapter on "Posing Fundamentals" shows there is more to posing a subject than telling the model to sit down and look at the camera. There are full instructions on seating the model, positioning the body and the shoulders, and attaining the proper posture. Monte then discusses the two classic poses: the basic (sometimes call masculine) pose and the feminine pose and how to achieve them. (He notes in passing that, given the number of photographers who've told him they understand this concept, it's amazing to him how many never actually utilize this concept in their work.) The chapter concludes with a discussion of back poses, eye position and facial expression, as well as Monte's recommendation for the use of posing stools and tables.

Following a chapter on how to extend these ideas to group portaits, Monte then discusses lighting equipment (including a discription of his studio set up) in chapter 6, followed by "Lighting Techniques" in chapter 7. This discusses in detail how to set up your lights with respect to your subject, how to light the basic pose, the feminine pose, the full face, two-thirds view and profile poses. It also contains Monte's most important "secret" to good portraiture. He goes so far to say that if you can get only one thing right from this book, this is it: working with the "nose loop". Set up this nose shadow correctly with your lights and you're just about guaranteed a good-looking portrait. It's that simple (he says!).

Following chapters deal with window lighting, outdoor portraits, camera and lens considerations (including proper camera position in relation to your subject), photo composition, and exposure control. There's a small section on what, for this book, I'd call "advanced" creative choices like soft focus, black and white conversion, and shooting with a digital infrared camera!

The book ends with Monte's summary checklist of how to set up a shoot along with things to avoid. Counting out "One! Two! Three!" before hitting the shutter? Useless - don't do it!

Oh? Oops? ME? I never do that. (Well, NOT ANYMORE!)

The book is 123 pages in an 8.5" x 11" softcover binding. Inside you'll find about 150 absolutely gorgeous photos Monte uses to exemplify the discussions at hand. Very often the large portrait will be accompanied by a "thumb nail" of an expanded version of the same shot, this one showing the location of lights, reflectors and photographer with camera, so you can see how it all came together.

Again, this book is mostly aimed at the photographer (professional or amateur) who wants to get into portrait photography, but there are gems here that can be gleaned by other long-time portrait photographers as well. When Monte Zucker has something to say, it pays to listen.

One recent review I saw said that this was basically a rehash of the articles Monte wrote for Shutterbug. I don't have those articles so I can't comment on that. If you happen to own that series, then you might need to think a bit about purchasing this book.

For the rest of us aspiring portrait photographers, this is a must have. It's become my studio bible.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hard to beat his photos, or tips., October 19, 2007

By 

Ric Trexell (Berlin, WI. United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Monte Zucker's Portrait Photography Handbook (Paperback)

I have only gone through this book once and even that was very brief, but I found it very helpful and the tips he made are short and to the point. I was impressed at how the posing of the subject is explained right down to where the eyes should be positioned. I always thought that the eyes should be looking at the camera lens when taking a straight on shot. Monte covers even the clothes and their relation to the background. How he would check with the subject a day or so before the shoot to suggest what would work and what would not. My only problem with the book is that he didn't go into lighting as much as I would have liked, although there are plenty of books out there on that and perhaps that was not what was needed in this book. He also used a digital camera so one of the benefits of them is that you can check the lighting with the camera and if it isn't to your liking, just move the lights and take a few more test shots. It is hard to beat his photos for jumping off the page and making you feel that the subjects are right there. I highly recommend this book and feel there is enough info for you to take great portrait shots if you follow his advice. This was his last work before his death and it is a great contribution to those of us that wish to do portrait photography for business or just fun.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Master's Masterpiece, October 26, 2007

By 

Patrick Rice (North Olmsted, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Monte Zucker's Portrait Photography Handbook (Paperback)

Monte Zucker is quite possibly the greatest portrait and wedding photographer to ever use a camera and this book highlights some of his best wedding and portrait imaging. The consomate teacher, Monte shares his over fifty years of experience with the reader.

In this book, Monte explains the science of creating a great portrait. Through facial analysis and careful posing, he shows how to bring out the best in anyone who sits in front of your camera.

Monte's explanation of all types of lighting situations will be of benefit to both the beginner and seasoned professional with chapters on window light, outdoor lighting and studio lighting. I found the overview images of the lights and reflectors utilized especially helpful.

On a personal note, I had the privledge of knowing Monte for nearly twenty years. We judged and lectured together at WPPI Conventions and I learned so much from him. Although Monte has left us, we now have this book and his amazing images to remember him by. Monte Zucker truly was a Master's master.