Book review: The Digital SLR Expert Portraits

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If there is one book on photography that deals mainly on one topic, and focus solely on one area, this is that book.

The Digital SLR Expert Portraits
essential advice from top pros

Not authored by just one, but five, professional portrait photographers. And if that isn't saying anything yet, wait till you begin flipping the pages, and learning of their styles, hints and techniques.

Will it be possible that you become like them, and shot your portrait photos the way they do?

Yes and no. yes, in that they offer their advice (it's what the book says, advise from top pros), and that is one of the priceless gems in this book. No, in that you should be you, and you should have your own style and techniques.

Here's one from page 76, which is about low-key photos:

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"
Some people feel they can't shoot low-key images because they can't black out their room enough, but this is a fallacy. You can have all the light on in the room but compared to the flash going off they will be like a glow-worm, contributing nothing to the exposure at all. Press the shutter button and a bright room will be dark and black.
"

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I do agree with that. I've seen another book, the review of which I didn't include in this site, which says that put up the flash power, and everything else goes darker. Of course, post-editing can help a lot afterward.

Low-key photo in a bright room? They have done it, I have done it myself, and so can you!

Having said much, know this: the camera is but a tool. If a tool is defined as 'an extension of the hands' which basically means some help or assistance, it should be noted that the tool will be used in ways and means that is mostly dependent on the user.

Thus, given the same camera unit and the same subject to shoot, 10 photographers will compose frames and shoot pictures differently, coming up with 10 different renditions of the one and the same subject.

Photography is but one of the very subjective hobby, and the photographer always applies his own artistic principles and discretion when clicking the button.

Finally, do take note that this book only mentions 1 camera brand: Canon.

If you are using the same brand, then this book is mainly for you. But if not, this book is still for you.

What's your say?

 

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