20 Best Books On Portrait Photography (2023 Update)

For beginners looking to master the portrait or lifelong photographers looking to try a new twist on the classic genre, this is your photo book. the complete portrait manual provides over 200 tips techniques to help you successfully capture the portrait you want.the editors of popular photography pooled all their knowledge from their 70+ years of experience to bring you the most comprehensive guide to portraits on the market: the complete portrait manual. whether you’re after snapshots of loved ones laughing, impressive studio headshots, fun yet tasteful selfies on your smartphone, or lightning-fast captures of athletes doing the thing they love, this guide will help you produce the perfect portrait. in chapters on how to flatter your subjects with poses and angles, light them just right, and retouch your photos in post-production, you’ll learn how to: get to know your subjects pick props that show personality snap a nice seflie craft environmental portraits hide flaws with clever angles take candid street shots pick poses that flatter zoom in on telling details shoot truly joyful holiday portraits freeze a subject’s fleeting reflection set up avedon lighting know your light sources flatter with a ring light mimic film noir shadows slow a spinning ballerina with long exposure combine natural and studio light select light modifiers capture musicians with limited lighting make nostalgic portraits with film understand retouching tools go classic with black and white conversion craft whimsical composites repair old photos of loved ones minimize lines and skin flaws whiten teeth and eyes make cautious use of the liquify tool brighten exposure for breezier snapshots for amateur photographers, there is no better resource. with high-quality design, intricate detail, and a durable, wipe-clean flexicover with metallic corner-guards—this manual is the perfect gift!

New york times bestseller – the academy award–winning director of free solo and national geographic photographer presents the first collection of his iconic adventure photography, featuring some of the greatest moments of the most accomplished climbers and outdoor athletes in the world, and including more than 200 extraordinary photographs. “an extraordinary work of art.”—jon krakauerfilmmaker, photographer, and world-class mountaineer jimmy chin goes where few can follow to capture stunning images in death-defying situations. there and back draws from his breathtaking portfolio of photographs, captured over twenty years during cutting-edge expeditions on all seven continents—from skiing mount everest, to an unsupported traverse of tibet's chang tang plateau on foot, to first ascents in chad’s ennedi desert and antarctica’s queen maud land.along the way, chin shares behind-the-scenes details about how he captured such astounding images in impossible conditions, and tells the stories of the legendary adventurers and remarkable athletes he has photographed, including alex honnold, the star of his academy award–winning documentary film free solo; ski mountaineer kit deslauriers; snowboarder travis rice; and mountaineers conrad anker and yvon chouinard. these larger-than-life images, coupled with stories of outsized drive and passion, of impossible goals with life or death stakes, of partnerships forged through incredible hardship, are sure to inspire wonder and awe.

The complete guide to macro and close-up photography is a comprehensive handbook on macro and close-up photography, offering both ambitious beginners and veteran photographers all the information they need to create great macro photographs. experienced photographer and author cyrill harnischmacher covers: explanations of all the concepts behind close-up and macro photography equipment, including camera systems, macro lenses, close-up lenses, extension tubes, and reversing rings shooting techniques such as high-speed photography using photoelectric sensors, light painting, focus stacking to extend depth of field, panoramic and infrared macros, extended contrast with hdr technology, and multiple exposures tackling subject matter both in the field and in the studio working creatively with ambient and artificial light countless hands-on shooting tips post-processing your macro images the book also offers insights about macro photo composition, discussing light, color, camera position, and focus. with more than 600 images and figures illustrating the various ways readers can document the world of the infinitesimal, this book is not only a technical guide, but also a source of inspiration giving readers ideas to run with and make their own. finally, the book also includes do-it-yourself projects, offering solutions both for everyday shooting as well as for dealing with specific situations unique to macro photography.

What would your life be like if you could shoot absolutely amazing portraits? if you could be in any natural lighting situation, indoors or out, and know that you'd be able to create an amazing image every time? if you've ever dreamed of making such incredible portraits that your friends and family say, "wait a minute, this is your photo you took this?" then you're in luck. award-winning photography book author scott kelby teaches you exactly how to shoot and edit gorgeous natural light portraits. scott shares all his secrets and time-tested techniques, as he discusses everything from his essential go-to portrait gear to camera settings to the portrait photography techniques you need to create absolutely stunning images. from window light to taming harsh outdoor light, from the tools and accessories you need to capture beautiful portraits in any lighting condition, scott has got you covered. among many other topics, you'll learn: – the secrets to getting super-sharp portraits every time without breaking a sweat. – exactly which camera settings work best for natural light portraits (and which ones you should avoid). – how to create separation with a silky smooth, out-of-focus background no matter which lens you have. – how to tame even the harshest light and turn it to your advantage to create soft, beautiful, wrapping light. – which lenses will get you the best results and why. – what gear you need, which accessories work best, and a ton of killer tips that will help you create better images and make the entire experience that much more fun. it's all here, including an entire chapter on post-processing and retouching, and another with detailed portrait recipes, and best of all, it's just one topic per page, so you'll get straight to the info you need fast. there's never been a natural light portrait photography book like it table of contents chapter 1: portrait lenses chapter 2: camera settings chapter 3: window light portraits chapter 4: shooting outside chapter 5: shooting in direct light chapter 6: composition chapter 7: posing chapter 8: post-processing chapter 9: portrait recipes

It's the portrait photographer's job to create a flattering–perhaps idealized–likeness of the subject in front of his or her lens. there are countless things to consider both technically and artistically in order to make that happen. one thing is for certain: the more you show in the portrait, the more of the body that you will need to carefully position and refine. nowhere is this more true than when photographing a full-length subject. every part of the body, from the hair to the tips of the toes, must be posed, clothed, lighted, and shaded in order to look its best. the truth is, most photographers have trouble with conceptualizing and carrying out their client's full-length poses. they have their clients strike a pose and try to envision how to make it look natural, comfortable, and photogenic. unfortunately, their attempts often result in a stiff, unflattering, flat, or just plain awkward presentation. this visual sourcebook features a wide range of full-length poses designed for men, women, teens, kids, and groups–in the studio and on location. photographers will find examples of poses for subjects of all ages that work perfectly for any portrait style, from reserved to edgy and fashion-forward, in seated, standing, and reclining presentations. featuring studio and location (indoor and outdoor) portraits from twenty heralded portrait pros, this book will allow photographers to find a pose to re-create with their client–and adventurous shooters can use a sample portrait as a springboard for a new pose they conceptualize to suit their unique client or one-of-a-kind portrait concept. complete with text on posing basics, this book is an indispensable resource that you'll turn to over and over again.

– the second volume of captivating portraits featured in a global touring photography exhibition- a us exhibition featuring 50 images from the book will be held during 2020-2021. dates and locations tbcfollowing the success of the first portrait of humanity book, isbn 9781910566527, this second volume features more astonishing photos and stories of humans around the world. fifty winning photos will appear in a touring exhibition shown at photography festivals around the world while the accompanying book will contain 200 photos that together create a unified, global portrait of humanity.

Do you enjoy taking pictures of your family and friends? are your shots sometimes disappointing when you see the results? i wrote this book to help solve that problem. i see hundreds of pictures that people take, and they want them to be really great. they just don't know the things that they should look at and keep track of before they shoot the picture. if you read through this book a few times and follow these tips, i promise your pictures will be much better in the future. even if you only use a couple of the tips your pictures will be much better. – the book is divided into sections, general tips that cover things that you can do to improve portrait shots for any type of portraits. then there are tips that pertain to specific types of portrait shoots. men, women, kids, groups, couples, and pets. – try a couple of the tips and just see how much of a difference it makes in your pictures. – i remember back to something that happened many years ago, it kind of ticked me off at first but it kind of made me feel good afterwards. i sent some pictures to an online photo printing site to be printed. they were pictures that i took. they emailed me back and made me fill out a form stating that i had not had these taken at a studio and was trying to get prints of them. – i had to sign an affidavit to prove that i took the pictures myself. it made me feel good, after i realized that my pictures were good enough that they were suspect if i had really taken them. – let me know how it helps you get better pictures. that's what the book is all about.

Photographic portraits should not be the formal, corporate-style poses of yesteryear, which reveal nothing of the subject's emotion, personality or mood – so believe sarah plater and paul wilkinson. theirs is a modern, fresh and vibrant approach that aims to capture a moment in the lifestyle of the person or persons in the picture. this authoritative guide contains clear, concise and jargon-busting text that discusses the essential technical aspects of photography from choosing a camera and equipment to an appreciation of exposure, aperture, metering, shutter speed, depth of field and white balance settings, in addition to how natural light, colour and movement affect a photograph. a guide to posing helps to ensure dynamic and arresting images.

Hundreds of beautiful color photographs show how to master photography's most popular subject: the art of portraiture. by combining traditional photographic skills with the limitless possibilities offered by digital, this expert guide helps amateurs successfully portray people in the rituals of daily life, frame the figure in the image, utilize high-speed techniques to catch memorable moments, and create a picture essay to document an event. find out a variety of ways to photograph groups, babies, and children; capture the fleeting expression; and get the right lighting for character and drama. follow the tips for shooting unobserved on the street and doing reportage; for using wide-angle or medium telephoto techniques; and for dealing respectfully with other cultures. be the photographer whom everyone wants to record family gatherings, weddings, and other special occasions. and, of course, there's also advice on taking a formal portrait, including how to set up a makeshift studio.

Overview: this is an updated and newly revised edition of the classic book the art of photography (originally published in 1994), which has often been described as the most readable, understandable, and complete textbook on photography. with well over 100 beautiful photographic illustrations in both black-and-white and color, as well as numerous charts, graphs, and tables, this book presents the world of photography to beginner, intermediate, and advanced photographers seeking to make a personal statement through the medium of photography. without talking down to anyone, or talking over anyone's head, barnbaum presents "how to" techniques for both traditional and digital approaches. yet he goes well beyond the technical, as he delves deeply into the philosophical, expressive, and creative aspects of photography so often avoided in other books. bruce barnbaum is recognized as one of the world's finest landscape and architectural photographers, and for decades has been considered one of the best instructors in the field of photography. this latest incarnation of his textbook, which has evolved, grown, and been refined over the past 35 years, will prove to be an ongoing, invaluable photographic reference for years to come. it is truly the resource of choice for the thinking photographer

Photographs show the homes and possessions of average families in 30 countries around the world and document each family's lifestyle. the book puts a human face on the issues of population, environment, social justice and consumption.

A revised and updated edition of phaidon’s bestselling book, which brings this landmark work fully up‐to‐date with new additions covering the latest developments in photography. the photography book is an unsurpassed collection of over 550 superb images that represent the world’s best photographers from the mid‐nineteenth century to today. arranged alphabetically by photographer, it showcases pioneers such as gustave le gray and daguerre, icons like robert capa and contemporary names such as richard wentworth and carolee schneemann. the selection encompasses fashion, sport, natural history, reportage, society portraiture, documentary and art, with concise text providing useful insight into each work and its creator. also included are extensive cross‐references and glossaries of technical terms and movements.

The collectors series edition of in focus is simply the existing book at a smaller trim size. this magnificent collection of 280 photographs by many of the world's greatest photographers tells the tale of portrait photography over time in page after page of arresting images. each photograph stands proudly on its own, yet taken together, they tell a much more complex and subtle story of the ever-evolving art form in constant creative response to new ideas, new eras, and new technologies.

Combining time-tested practices with contemporary methods, this guidebook details the fine art of capturing formal and casual posed images. with advice and guidance from the finest and most decorated portrait and wedding photographers in the country, this instructional discusses subjects such as lighting in the studio and on location, improving improvisational shooting techniques, and how to retouch images in the post-production process to create truly flawless looks. a chapter addressing the common problems in taking portraitures–from working with subjects with glasses to subjects that vary in size, facial features, and skin tone–is also included.

Filled with images by accomplished portrait, fashion, and wedding photographers, this is a resource for photographers seeking inspiration for their own work when capturing group images. designed for ease of use, the sample portraits in this guidebook are grouped according to the number of subjects included—working from small groups of three up to larger groups including 10 or more people—and within each section, the portraits are further subdivided into how much the frame shows of the subjects, from close head-and-shoulders portraits to three-quarter-length images and full-length shots. the hundreds of samples provide inspiration and are easily replicated, allowing photographers to customize the source material to meet any type of need.

This newly revised edition of bryan peterson's most popular book demystifies the complex concepts of exposure in photography, allowing readers to capture the images they want. understanding exposure has taught generations of photographers how to shoot the images they want by demystifying the complex concepts of exposure in photography. in this newly updated edition, veteran photographer bryan peterson explains the fundamentals of light, aperture, and shutter speed and how they interact with and influence one another. with an emphasis on finding the right exposure even in tricky situations, understanding exposure shows you how to get (or lose) sharpness and contrast in images, freeze action, and take the best meter readings, while also exploring filters, flash, and light. with all new images, as well as an expanded section on flash, tips for using colored gels, and advice on shooting star trails, this revised edition will clarify exposure for photographers of all levels.

This is an updated and newly revised edition of the classic book the art of photography: an approach to personal expression. originally published in 1994 and first revised in 2010, the art of photography has sold well over 100,000 copies and has firmly established itself as the most readable, understandable, and complete textbook on photography. featuring nearly 200 beautiful photographs in both black-and-white and color, as well as numerous charts, graphs, and tables, this book presents the world of photography to beginner, intermediate, and advanced photographers who seek to make a personal statement through the medium of photography. – without talking down to anyone or talking over anyone's head, renowned photographer, teacher, and author bruce barnbaum presents how-to techniques for both traditional and digital approaches. in this newest edition of the book, barnbaum has included many new images and has completely revised the text, with particular focus on two crucial chapters covering digital photography: he revised a chapter covering the digital zone system, and includes a brand-new chapter on image adjustments using digital tools. there is also a new chapter discussing the concepts of "art versus technique" and "traditional versus digital" approaches to photography. throughout the book, barnbaum goes well beyond the technical, as he delves deeply into the philosophical, expressive, and creative aspects of photography so often avoided in other books. – barnbaum is recognized as one of the world's finest landscape and architectural photographers, and for decades has been considered one of the best instructors in the field of photography. this latest incarnation of his textbook–which has evolved, grown, and been refined over the past 45 years–will prove to be an ongoing, invaluable photographic reference for years to come. it is truly the resource of choice for the thinking photographer. – topics include: elements of compositionvisualizationlight and color filtersblack-and-whitethe digital zone system – the zone system for film – printing and presentation – exploding photographic myths – artistic integrity – realism, abstraction, and art – creativity and intuition – a personal philosophy – and much, much more…

Glenn rand, longtime photographic educator, and tim meyer, lead portrait instructor at brooks institute, have collaborated to create a thorough and balanced textbook on the modern techniques and practice of portrait photography. they have crafted a definitive resource for professionals, students, and avid amateurs wishing to advance their skills in this discipline. glenn and tim begin by discussing lessons from the masters and the history of photographic portraiture. they build on this foundation and cover all of the technical and aesthetic components of understanding and producing outstanding portraits. extensive illustrations illuminate the concepts discussed, and the works of outstanding photographers serve as examples of how to apply the lessons in this book. this second edition offers even more illustrations and photographic examples and an expanded discussion about posing. topics include: quality of light and the portrait ambient, continuous, and strobe light sources understanding light modifiers and enhancers mastering lighting ratios importance and selection of backgrounds extensive coverage of lighting setups understanding light meters and metering in portraiture lighting patterns on the human face facial analysis composition in portraiture posing for various types of portraits eliciting appropriate expression the fine art portrait portraiture for the masses

Most amateurs dream of taking professional-quality portraits; steve sint can show them how. after shooting over a million portraits, he has a wealth of knowledge to share, on everything from the basics of good composition to the fine details of advanced lighting techniques. sint simply delivers a complete course in digital portrait photography: he discusses set-ups and backdrops; the most flattering ways to pose both individuals and groups; tips on making the sessions fun and comfortable for everyone; and insider info on using electronic flash, both indoors and out. for those hoping to go pro, an entire chapter offers all the nuts and bolts information needed to turn your passion into a career!

Most amateurs dream of taking professional-quality portraits; steve sint can show them how. after shooting over a million portraits, he has a wealth of knowledge to share, on everything from the basics of good composition to the fine details of advanced lighting techniques. sint simply delivers a complete course in digital portrait photography: he discusses set-ups and backdrops; the most flattering ways to pose both individuals and groups; tips on making the sessions fun and comfortable for everyone; and insider info on using electronic flash, both indoors and out. for those hoping to go pro, an entire chapter offers all the nuts and bolts information needed to turn your passion into a career!