Customer Reviews

People in Focus: How to Photograph Anyone, Anywhere

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This may be the only book you'll ever need to read on the subject of photographing people outside of the formal portrait studio. This is a blessing, because very few books, good or bad, are available on this very important subject to amateurs and professional photojournalists. Peterson covers every aspect of taking pictures of people, including selecting subjects to photograph, approaching subjects, effects of different lighting, equipment and even some of the business aspects like model releases and stock photography. And, his images are wonderful. The only negative aspect - and this is present in most of his books - is that Bryan tends to forget that most people who read his book are not as well-travelled or equipped as he is. Many of the photographs were taken in exotic places abroad and he uses an expensive 300 meter lens for many of his shots. He has a reason for the latter, but let him explain. Take it with a grain of salt, and trust that you don't have to have such extreme equipment or go to such exotic places to get the results you want from following his instructions.

I've read all three of Bryan Peterson's books -- "Understanding Exposure," "Learning to See Creatively," and "People in Focus" -- and "Understanding Exposure" I recommend highly (5 stars). The other two drained me of my passion as I read them, which is the opposite of what Peterson intended, I'm sure. Here's why: Bryan Peterson's images look like what they are -- commercial images sold to stock houses, used to advertise products or services or businesses in one way or another. Little girls in fields of flowers. Sunsets over the beach. Two businesspeople shaking hands. Peterson does what he does well, and I gave this book 2 stars because I'm sure there are readers who are looking to take their interest in photography down this very road. For anyone who wants to develop his or her "voice," who wants to communicate with his or her images, I think this book will disappoint. I was a student in a writing program for a period of time, and one of the best tips I learned and passed on to other students was this: Before you sign up for a class with a particular professor, read at least one of his novels or several of his short stories. If you like the way he writes, sign up for the class. If you can't stand his writing, find someone else. I think the same applies here. I recognize that Peterson knows how to use a camera -- and his effective instruction of exposure in his other book proves that -- but his images make no impression on me, don't cause me to think or feel or question anything. I recommend finding the books in a bookstore or trying to look through them online before you buy -- his Web site, http://www.bryanfpeterson.com, shows some examples. If you want to take pictures like these, this book will meet your needs. Otherwise, pass it by.

The book is loosely organised in chapters each covering one aspect of people-photography. Chapter introductions are rather mellow. It's really a large collection of example photos. Each one is elaborately discussed, including "the story behind" and technical info. Some of the photos are very good indeed. Most are mainstream pictures, however: technically perfect, but not quite inspiring. (Though I wish I could consistently obtain that level of quality myself.) Good book if you have time to read from A to Z and have a patient nature. Very valuable information can be gathered, but it's scattered throughout the book. I made a one-page summary myself.

Personally, for me, anything Bryan Peterson publishes is well worth the money. He writes so well that as a visual learner I can really understand what he is saying. I have 75% of his books and swear by his teachings.

I bought People in Focus . . . used. It formally had been a loaner belonging to a public library. The book was clearly well used but in good condition. The contents are also well used and in good condition. Dealing with people, while you have an eager camera in your hand, hasn't changed in the last hundred years.

The author, Brian Peterson, has borrowed from this work to write several additional books on photography. The focus of his books are as sharp and as meaningful as the images he produces with his cameras. So is the text he writes to explain each picture.

Of course I recommend this book. I recommend all of Mr. Peterson's books.

I really enjoy Bryan Peterson's book. His method is instruction is very easy to understand and well illustrated.

As one who is really into photography...I highly recommend this book. It is an excellent survey of photographing people. I love candid and street photography and this book I found to have some wonderful ideas with regard to technique.

Excellent book. I would recommend this to anyone interested in photography. The product was as described, in excellent condition and I received it quickly.

How many times you want to take people photo and you're afraid? How many times you want to take people photo and you don't have camera? This book will answer your first question and give you many good reasons to have camera with you all the time. Many Bryan's photo will inspire you to have your camera for the next best shots. The important of people photography is the communication among "camera", , "situation", "photographer", and "model". Bryan shows you the optimal way to integrate all four factors for better communication of your people photography.