Lighting Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios: Strategies for Digital Photographers

4 Comments

1. 

   Adam Richards / September 27, 2010

   Review by Adam Richards for Lighting Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios: Strategies for Digital Photographers
   Rating:
   This book is the perfect compliment to Pegram’s book on posing for models. As with other good lighting books, I really find the before-and-after shots to be immensely helpful and this book has many. There are also many ‘practical examples’ placed throughout the book where Pegram takes a specific scenario and explains every aspect of how he shot it. And, there are many lighting diagrams and a number of equipment shots.

   If you loved his last book, you really need to get this one as well.

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2. 

   B. Storey / September 28, 2010

   Review by B. Storey for Lighting Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios: Strategies for Digital Photographers
   Rating:
   I purchased “Lighting Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios: Strategies for Digital Photographers” for the purpose of drawing on a Digital Pros experience in lighting models in the digital arena. In that respect, the book did not disappoint. I have 2 decades of experience in 35 mm photography and finally went kicking and screaming into the digital era. If you are looking for an extensive book covering all aspects of photographic lighting, then this is not your book. If you are looking for a book to help you in the realm of head shot and glamour photography utilizing a pro-sumer or DSLR, or are looking for fresh ideas for lighting when shooting digital, then this book will serve you well. I commend the author and publisher on delivering a book that actually delivers what the title says!

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3. 

   Ron Martinsen / September 28, 2010

   Review by Ron Martinsen for Lighting Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios: Strategies for Digital Photographers
   Rating:
   This is one of those books you see at the bookstore, and the cover immediately grabs your attention. Beautiful woman, great pose, killer lighting, super sharp, etc… so naturally you thumb through it. Inside you find more of the same – fantastic composition, colors, exposure, etc… of more gorgeous women. Now unless you are one of those lame people that reads the whole book right there in the bookstore, you then have to decide is this book worth my $20+ or is it another one of those books that has great images, but no substance. I answer this question and more on my full review at [...].

   By reading the chapter by chapter section in my full review on my blog you might think that I didn’t care for this book, but you’d be wrong. Instead, I actually quite liked this book and found that it had lots of useful and practical information. What was bad about the book was that the chapter titles were totally bogus as you can easily tell that they have little to do with the information the author wants to share with the reader. The author does a good job of educating the reader on how to be a more successful model photographer, but not in a methodical way that some will require. In the end I kinda chucked because this book is written much like I would probably write a book because the author pretty much shares what is on his mind at the time he sat down at the computer the day he wrote any given section, despite what part of the book he was working on. He has a genuine desire to share his wealth of valuable knowledge but he expresses it very loosely which works well for some people like me, but less so for the more methodical types.

   In the end I’m glad I got this book, and I enjoyed reading it. I felt I learned some useful information which I was able to apply to my work and improve my photography. To me that is the definition of a successful book so it is for that reason I must recommend* it. I use an asterisk because if you are the type of person who can watch something do something once and without taking notes, apply that knowledge to a new situation then this book will be useful. If you are the person who can use a complex product without reading the instruction manual, then this book is for you. If you aren’t, then you may find yourself with more questions than answers after your done reading this book.

   Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
   
   Value: Good for those who are a quick study
   
   Recommendation: Clearly this book is for those who want to know more about how to photograph beautiful women. if complex methodology and/or theory bore you to tears, then this might be a good book for you so pick it up and enjoy. If you want detailed instructions, then skip it.
   

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4. 

   Mitchell P. Smith Jr. / September 28, 2010

   Review by Mitchell P. Smith Jr. for Lighting Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios: Strategies for Digital Photographers
   Rating:
   this book is about technique and passion. giving you ideas with explanation and diagrams to explain lighting setups and scenarios to create better an more interesting pictures.

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