National Geographic Photography Field Guide: People and Portraits (Paperback)

~ National Geographic Society (Author)
Key Phrases: tronic flash, digital card, people photography, National Geographic Photographer, Robert Caputo, William Albert Allard (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

How do you “freeze” your child in action on the soccer field? People & Portraits, the second in the new, information-packed National Geographic Photography Field Guide series, supplies the answer to this question and much more as readers discover the secrets that have made National Geographic photography so well known.

People & Portraits reveals the best angles, lighting, and lenses to capture candid photos and portraits of family, friends, and everyone else. How to evoke a subject’s true character on film, how to compose a formal family portrait—everything the reader needs to know about photographing people is in this book. Filled with easy-to-understand instructions from an accomplished National Geographic photographer, this guide will be accompanied by specialized volumes on wildlife, black and white, digital, adventure photography, and more. With the National Geographic Photography Field Guide series, novice to professional photographers will take the best pictures of their lives.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792264991
• ISBN-13: 978-0792264996
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,554 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #82 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Portraits
  #84 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Photo Essays

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Will Inspire and Teach!, March 23, 2002

By	David Enzel (Chevy Chase, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book describes what you need to know to make good pictures of people. The book begins by discussing composition and then turns to equipment and lighting. The book then focuses on various types of people photography: street photography; people in action; portraits; familar subjects (family members) and the photographic essay. The book includes a list of useful web sites and explains how three professional photograhers work. They are Cary Wolinsky, Sisse Brimberg and Lynn Johnson. I love these different viewpoints because they provide food for thought.

The photographs leap off the page. They are stunning and make me want to get out and photograph. I highly recommend this book. It also is of a size that will easily fit in your camera bag.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compact and Informative, May 6, 2002

By	Bukkene Bruse (Iowa) - See all my reviews

The People and Portraits Field Guide continues along one branch of the first NGS field guide. Somewhat more advanced composition and technical advice is provided, tailored to the specific art of capturing people in their environment. Caputo writes a book that is not only succinct, but also enjoyable to read.

Continuing with the format of the original are the profiles of National Geographic photographers, each with their own set of advice. This is a primary strength of this set of field guides and something that separates them from other books. The bios are interesting reading in themselves and give a brief glimpse into the work and vision of different artists.

27 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER WINNER FROM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, February 27, 2002

By	Sandra D. Peters "Seagull Books" (Prince Edward Island, Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Photography buffs take heed, this is a book you will definitely want to add to your library. While master photographers may not learn anything dramatically new, amateurs and novices will find tons of useful and helpful information among these pages by an expert in the field. Ever wonder how to "freeze frame?" This book will tell you how, along with providing guidance in taking those wonderful family portraits under all types of conditions. The section dealing with various lenses was of particular interest. The book is well organized and the instructions are clear and easy to understand - that in itself is a major plus over other books in the marketplace. If it's National Geographic, it's bound to be good!