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The Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Crafting Light and Shadow Paperback – Illustrated, July 13, 2017

by Chris Knight (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 741 ratings
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In The Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Crafting Light and Shadow, Chris Knight addresses portraiture with a unique approach to both light and shadow that allows you to improve and elevate your own portraiture.

Without light, there is no photograph. As almost every photographer knows, the word “photograph” has its roots in two Greek words that, together, mean “drawing with light.” But what is less commonly acknowleEAed and understood is the role that shadow plays in creating striking, expressive imagery, especially in portraiture. It is through deft, nuanced use of both light and shadow that you can move beyond shooting simply ordinary, competent headshots into the realm of creating dramatic portraiture that can so powerfully convey a subject’s inner essence, communicate a personal narrative, and express your photographic vision.

In The Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Crafting Light and Shadow, Chris Knight addresses portraiture with a unique approach to both light and shadow that allows you to improve and elevate your own portraiture. He begins with the history of portraiture, from the early work of Egyptians and Greeks to the sublime treatment of light and subject by artists such as Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. Chris then dives into a deep, hands-on exploration of light, shadow, and portraiture, offering numerous lessons and takeaways. He covers:

    • The qualities of light: hard, soft, and the spectrum in between
      • The relationships between light, subject, and background, and how to control them
        • Lighting patterns such as Paramount, Rembrandt, loop, and split
          • Lighting ratios and how they affect contrast in your image
            • Equipment: from big and small modifiers to grids, snoots, barn doors, flags, and gels
              • Multiple setups for portrait shoots, including those that utilize one, two, and three lights
                • How color contributes to drama and mood, eliciting an emotional response from the viewer
                  • How to approach styling your portrait, from wardrobe to background
                    • The post-processing workflow, including developing the RAW file, maximizing contrast, color grading, retouching, and doEAing and burning for heightened drama and effect
                      • How all of these elements culminate to help you define your personal style and create your own narrative
                      Read more
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                      1. Print length
                        240 pages
                      2. Language
                        English
                      3. Publisher
                        Rocky Nook
                      4. Publication date
                        July 13, 2017
                      5. Dimensions
                        8.25 x 1 x 10.25 inches
                      6. ISBN-10
                        1681982145
                      7. ISBN-13
                        978-1681982144
                      Next slide of product details
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                      Editorial Reviews

                      About the Author

                      Chris Knight is a New York–based portrait photographer and educator. He combines his unconditional love of art history with his conditional love of technology, all with a flare for the cinematic and an uncompromising eye for detail. His work has appeared in Vogue, People, MSNBC, ABC, Ocean Drive, GQ, and other outlets. Chris is also an instructor at Pratt Institute and the New York Film Academy. He can be found online at chrisknightphoto.com.

                      Product details

                      • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rocky Nook
                      • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 13, 2017
                      • Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated
                      • Language ‏ : ‎ English
                      • Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
                      • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1681982145
                      • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1681982144
                      • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
                      • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 1 x 10.25 inches
                      • Customer Reviews:
                        4.6 out of 5 stars 741 ratings

                      About the author

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                      Chris Knight

                      Chris Knight

                      Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
                      Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

                      Chris Knight is a New York–based portrait photographer and educator. He combines his unconditional love of art history with his conditional love of technology, all with a flare for the cinematic and an uncompromising eye for detail. His work has appeared in Vogue, People, MSNBC, ABC, Ocean Drive, GQ, and other outlets. Chris is also an instructor at Pratt Institute and the New York Film Academy. He can be found online at chrisknightphoto.com.

                      Customer reviews

                      4.6 out of 5 stars
                      741 global ratings

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                      Customers say

                      Customers find the book well-written and informative, explaining concepts in an enjoyable, down-to-earth manner. They appreciate its coverage of lighting techniques, with one customer noting detailed diagrams of light set-ups, and its comprehensive art history section. Customers value the book's approach to portrait photography, with one review highlighting its technical chapters on making portraits, while another mentions its amusing pop culture references.

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                      39 customers mention "Readability"34 positive5 negative

                      Customers find the book well written and enjoyable to read, with the author explaining everything in an accessible and down-to-earth manner.

                      "...The beginning of the book is a quick art history lesson interspersed with bits of humor and a few pop culture references...." Read more

                      "...It covers a range of topics with very clear descriptions and illustrations. There is a lot of information in this book! It is also an amazing value...." Read more

                      "...All in all this book was worthwhile if a little odd." Read more

                      "...Here we finally get a chance to sit down with a well written book that is extremely easy to understand...." Read more

                      25 customers mention "Information quality"25 positive0 negative

                      Customers find the book very informative and appreciate the author's skill at teaching, with one customer noting it serves as an excellent introduction to portrait photography.

                      "...principles, post production, and developing a 'style' is very easy to understand and can take your portrait photography to the next level...." Read more

                      "...It was entertaining and informative...." Read more

                      "...marginal value—this on the other hand is very affordable and has a ton of great info. If you are learning portraiture this book is for you." Read more

                      "...a history of portraiture over the centuries, which I found quite enlightening...." Read more

                      17 customers mention "Portrait style"17 positive0 negative

                      Customers appreciate the portrait style of the book, with one customer highlighting its technical chapters on making portraits and another noting how it bridges art history with modern techniques.

                      "For fans of Chris Knight, this book is a wonderful look into his workflow and sources of inspiration that he pulls for for his own work...." Read more

                      "...It covers a range of topics with very clear descriptions and illustrations. There is a lot of information in this book! It is also an amazing value...." Read more

                      "...Chris has also been regarded as a highly skilled instructor of photography and particularly lighting as he teaches at the collegiate level and at..." Read more

                      "Great book for improving your dramatic photography skills." Read more

                      15 customers mention "Lighting"15 positive0 negative

                      Customers praise the book's coverage of lighting techniques, particularly its well-done examples of light placement, and how it helps photographers create their own dramatic style in studio settings.

                      "...The latter part of the book goes into detail about the the effects of lighting changes, with images depicting the changing light, along with..." Read more

                      "...changes with subtle variations in type of light and light placement are especially well done...." Read more

                      "...Chris presents his material in a simple format with great photos, diagrams and references throughout...." Read more

                      "Excellent book for study of light and shadow" Read more

                      11 customers mention "Art history"11 positive0 negative

                      Customers appreciate the book's art history section, which provides an interesting history of portraiture, with one customer noting it takes portrait photography to the next level.

                      "...and some post processing, but I most enjoyed the addition of a brief history of portraiture and the portrayal of the human form throughout the more..." Read more

                      "...The beginning of the book is a quick art history lesson interspersed with bits of humor and a few pop culture references...." Read more

                      "This book runs the gamut from art history of the portrait, to technique, styling, and post production...." Read more

                      "First 50 pages is an interesting history of portraiture, but with too much emphasis, for the topic of the book, on short biographies of artists...." Read more

                      11 customers mention "Lighting information"8 positive3 negative

                      Customers appreciate the book's coverage of lighting techniques, with one customer noting its detailed diagrams of light set-ups and another mentioning its wide selection of light sources.

                      "...Knight uses a wide selection of light sources in a large room; neither is available to most amateur photographers, certainly not me...." Read more

                      "This might be useful for people getting started with lighting for portrait photography...." Read more

                      "...would be that too much time was spent on "art history", adequate time spent on lighting, and zero spent on post processing of the images...." Read more

                      "...compared to similar books about posing subjects, is that this includes light placement and photo samples of results from light and accessory..." Read more

                      4 customers mention "Pop culture references"4 positive0 negative

                      Customers appreciate the pop culture references in the book, with one mentioning they are amusing and sprinkled throughout the text.

                      "...art history lesson interspersed with bits of humor and a few pop culture references. It was entertaining and informative...." Read more

                      "...It covers a range of topics with very clear descriptions and illustrations. There is a lot of information in this book! It is also an amazing value...." Read more

                      "...He has a wonderful sense of humor and has amusing pop culture references sprinkled throughout the book...." Read more

                      "...the process of trying all the things in this book.... Great ideas and examples" Read more

                      This is the portrait book i was looking for
                      5 out of 5 stars
                      This is the portrait book i was looking for
                      This book runs the gamut from art history of the portrait, to technique, styling, and post production. It covers a range of topics with very clear descriptions and illustrations. There is a lot of information in this book! It is also an amazing value. A lot of photography books are very expensive, even if they are of marginal value—this on the other hand is very affordable and has a ton of great info. If you are learning portraiture this book is for you.
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                      Top reviews from the United States

                      • R. Reed
                        5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book for Chris Knight fans and taking your portrait lighting to the next level!
                        Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2018
                        Verified Purchase
                        For fans of Chris Knight, this book is a wonderful look into his workflow and sources of inspiration that he pulls for for his own work.

                        The book goes into lightning techniques and some post processing, but I most enjoyed the addition of a brief history of portraiture and the portrayal of the human form throughout the more significant art movements. I took an Art History class in college so the opening chapter of the book was a nice refresher.

                        I wouldn't call the book revolutionary by any means, but Chris' approach to lighting principles, post production, and developing a 'style' is very easy to understand and can take your portrait photography to the next level.

                        You can find video interviews and classes he's taught (BH Photo Video) while promoting this book, but having the book on hand is a nice reference. Highly recommended.
                        9 people found this helpful
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                      • RoninUT
                        5.0 out of 5 stars Witty and informative. Technical, but entertaining.
                        Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2020
                        Verified Purchase
                        Non fiction doesn't have to be boring. I feel like the author would be lots of fun after a few drinks at a party.

                        The beginning of the book is a quick art history lesson interspersed with bits of humor and a few pop culture references. It was entertaining and informative.

                        The latter part of the book goes into detail about the the effects of lighting changes, with images depicting the changing light, along with descriptions of how it is achieved.

                        It would be a good book to keep handy when setting up studio lighting, as a reference.

                        If you want a crash course in art history as it relates to portrait photography, this book is a good choice.
                        4 people found this helpful
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                      • B. First
                        5.0 out of 5 stars This is the portrait book i was looking for
                        Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2021
                        Verified Purchase
                        This book runs the gamut from art history of the portrait, to technique, styling, and post production. It covers a range of topics with very clear descriptions and illustrations. There is a lot of information in this book! It is also an amazing value. A lot of photography books are very expensive, even if they are of marginal value—this on the other hand is very affordable and has a ton of great info. If you are learning portraiture this book is for you.
                        Customer image
                        B. First
                        5.0 out of 5 stars
                        This is the portrait book i was looking for

                        Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2021
                        This book runs the gamut from art history of the portrait, to technique, styling, and post production. It covers a range of topics with very clear descriptions and illustrations. There is a lot of information in this book! It is also an amazing value. A lot of photography books are very expensive, even if they are of marginal value—this on the other hand is very affordable and has a ton of great info. If you are learning portraiture this book is for you.
                        Images in this review
                        Customer image
                        8 people found this helpful
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                      • Jim Gagne
                        4.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile if a little weird
                        Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2017
                        Verified Purchase
                        I have mixed feelings about The Dramatic Portrait. It's about how to take well-lit portraits in a well-equipped studio. Knight uses a wide selection of light sources in a large room; neither is available to most amateur photographers, certainly not me. Sections on how to light a portraits and how the image changes with subtle variations in type of light and light placement are especially well done. The chapter on color is incredibly basic and oversimplified. I found the discussion of post-production confusing, and I will certainly use other sources to learn Photoshop. On the other hand, the long first chapter features a history of portraiture over the centuries, which I found quite enlightening.

                        The thing that most grates on me is Knight's choice of models. Most of the lighting section depicts the same older guy with long gray hair, beard, rumpled suit, and a bowler hat. Several female models later in the book are quite effective, but I found the photos of a man portraying a washed-up nineteenth century boxer disturbing and unhelpful.

                        All in all this book was worthwhile if a little odd.
                        10 people found this helpful
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                      • honesty and truth
                        5.0 out of 5 stars Chritopher Knight nails it with this book!
                        Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2017
                        Verified Purchase
                        The Dramatic Portrait is the essence of Christopher Knight's style and his skill at teaching. Chris has also been regarded as a highly skilled instructor of photography and particularly lighting as he teaches at the collegiate level and at workshops. Here we finally get a chance to sit down with a well written book that is extremely easy to understand. Chris presents his material in a simple format with great photos, diagrams and references throughout.
                        It is with high regard that I recommend this book for any photographer trying to improve their skills with lighting.
                        Dr Greg Gulbransen
                        4 people found this helpful
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                      • Samuel
                        5.0 out of 5 stars Dramatic Portrait
                        Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2025
                        Verified Purchase
                        Excellent book for study of light and shadow
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                      • Amazon Customer
                        5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Well Written
                        Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2017
                        Verified Purchase
                        I picked this book up because I love Chris Knight's work and I really want to take more dramatic portraits myself. He really does a great job of making the history of portraiture more fun than it sounds (as the first chapter is titled). He has a wonderful sense of humor and has amusing pop culture references sprinkled throughout the book. I love that he uses the same gentleman model in the chapter on technical lighting. It allows you to see the difference in the lighting much better than if each image was using a different model. Everything is well written and easy to understand. I love that he went into a bit of post-production as well.
                        4 people found this helpful
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                      • NearEarth
                        3.0 out of 5 stars Great information. Poor font choice. Not good as an academic photo class textbook. Average overall.
                        Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2020
                        Verified Purchase
                        Excellent information for the portrait photographer at any level especially college students. Great examples and diagrams -- BUT -- the printed version (vs Kindle) suffers significantly in readability with the editorial/design choice of a thin, small point sans-serif font. Even with my 20-20 natural close-up vision it is difficult, to the point of annoying, to read the text under anything but bright light.

                        One of the practical design axioms is that good presentation will support poor concept and weak content -- But, no matter how good the concept or content, poor craft/presentation can ruin both.

                        I really want to use this as a supplemental text for my college photograph classes, but considering my experience, combined with negative feedback from my students, I probably will not.
                        One person found this helpful
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                      Top reviews from other countries

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                      • pfc
                        5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable book!
                        Reviewed in Spain on August 24, 2024
                        Verified Purchase
                        Such a remarkable book! Useful; one learns a lot from reading it. If you're keen on getting into studio portrait, this a must!
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                      • D. LeClair Visuals
                        5.0 out of 5 stars Worth every penny.
                        Reviewed in Canada on March 11, 2024
                        Verified Purchase
                        I am really loving this book. Great reference guide for any photographer dabbling in creating their own light using flash. Highly recommend for any photographer, beginner or advanced.
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                      • R C Davies
                        5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to learn portrait photography, this is a good book
                        Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2024
                        Verified Purchase
                        Nice book, very informative. Chris Knight is an excellent photographer, a master of the craft. It starts off looking at the paintings of some of the great masters from a lighting, composition and posing perspective. This he then replicates. Quite a technical book leading you from some of the basics to quite advanced techniques. Quite a lot of theory too. It might be a bit technical for a novice, but it is certainly something you could grow into...
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                      • Alejandro G
                        5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente libro para mejorar tus retratos fotográficos
                        Reviewed in Mexico on July 6, 2020
                        Verified Purchase
                        El libro te explica desde los inicios de los retratos en pintura y escultura. Además te explica cómo tomar mejores retratos con la ayuda de la iluminación adecuada. Te explica cómo hacer buenas fotos con lo que tengas y puedas adquirir, te explica las opciones que hay en el mercado. Además te explica la importancia de la post producción (recomendable tener nociones de edición de imágenes en Lightroom y Photoshop para la última sección).
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                      • Jefferson Felipe dos Santos
                        3.0 out of 5 stars Skip the history part!
                        Reviewed in Brazil on July 16, 2018
                        Verified Purchase
                        The photography portion of this book is ok (which is the majority of it), but the initial History discussion is just atrocious. I'm a History teacher and I was so offended by how many wrong information this book contained in the very first 10 pages that I just decided to skip the entire first chapter. If you want to have a good introduction in history of art, go to Gombrich's work and do not read a single line of this book's first chapter.
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