Every portrait has something behind the subject - and while that background is not the focus of the image, it's a factor that can make or break the shot. In Backdrops and Backgrounds, Ryan Klos takes readers through the full range of options. For studio shoots, he outlines how to select, care for, position and light a wide range of backdrops. For location shoots, Klos covers the selection, modification and lighting of backdrops in urban, residential, rural and park settings. Readers will learn essential techniques to capturing the perfect portrait.
"Once a guarded cinematic secret, this definitive history reveals for the first time the art and craft of Hollywood's hand painted-backdrops, and pays homage to the scenic artists who brought them to the big screen." -- Slipcase.
Shoot Stunning, Professional Food Photography that Looks Good Enough to Eat! Snapping unbelievably gorgeous food photos has never been simpler than with Picture Perfect Food, your all-in-one guide to delicious-looking images from prolific photographer and educator, Joanie Simon. Whether you’re an up-and-coming food blogger, looking to break into commercial photography or capturing food just for fun (and your Instagram account), this approachable collection of tutorials will have you taking tantalizing and tasty shots with every snap of the shutter. No matter if you’re using your phone, your fanciest DSLR or any camera in between, you’ll gain complete confidence as you expand your technical knowledge and grow your artistic eye, creating awe-inspiring images that dazzle the senses. With her cheerful teaching style, Joanie walks you through each element of a masterful food photo in chapters devoted to Camera Settings, Light and Shadow, Story, Props Styling, Composition, Food Styling and Finding Inspiration. Learn how to find the best light in your house for standout shots and to delve into the shadows to create a moody and mesmerizing atmosphere; discover how to compose the elements in your scenes through color theory and visual weight for unforgettable images that capture and hold the eye; and uncover the secrets of styling sensational salads and stunning soups and keeping your cool when shooting frozen foods, among other essential tricks of the trade. With camera in hand and Joanie’s expert guidance at your fingertips, tackle every photography challenge with confidence and take your food photos from meh to mouthwatering in no time.
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 acknowledged 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 dodging and burning for heightened drama and effect
A highly controversial photography project that depicts children smoking, with the intention of highlighting the boundaries between aesthetic success and moral distress Illustrates the contrast between beauty and ugliness. On the one hand, smoking makes people ill, grey and wrinkled; on the other hand, it confers a certain aesthetic appeal Not intended to be a book to file away on your bookshelves, each of the photographs can be removed. Tear them out, send them to someone, or hang them on your wall, just make sure they are seen! Two years ago, Belgian photographer Frieke Janssens came across a YouTube video of a two year old Indonesian child chain smoking, totalling, on average, two packs a day. Recognising the many socio-cultural differences between the East and the West, the artist's plan to confront the Western viewer with such conflicting, surreal images grew and she departed on her new artistic mission. Smoking Kids is the title of Frieke Janssens' somewhat controversial photographic project. Fifteen children aged between four and nine pose in a startling adult way in front of the camera, each smoking a cigarette, cigar or pipe. Looking like they have stepped right out of a 1960's TV show adds a modestly theatrical, retro quality but also something whimsical and unreal to the images. The effect of these photos on the viewer has proven to be both overwhelming and diverse. Since their inauguration at the artist's representing Gallery Ingrid Deuss, Belgium, in 2011, the art world quickly responded with fascination and admiration for this bold series of photographs which resulted in consecutive exhibitions in Belgium, Russia and the USA. Simultaneously, the images travelled the Internet, appearing and reappearing on various blogs and forums where comments of disbelief and concern ruled the day. Unaware of the skillful Photoshop tricks applied to the photos, once again, people convicted this contemporary art to be shocking and manipulative, now even dragging children down the abyss of its sensation-focused ambitions. But, Janssens' photographs are really not that. Instead, they manage to hold an almost perfect balance between something that we consider to be ugly and wrong (the habit of smoking and children who have developed that habit) and an aesthetically pleasing image. Although many will condemn and frown upon the pictured action, Janssens' Smoking Kids is likeable, clever and thought-provoking, like all good art should be. The visual impact of a photograph can be potentially so intriguing that it has the capability of challenging our personal and shared critical opinion. AUTHOR: Frieke Janssens is a widely celebrated photographer of campaigns for diverse, nationally significant cultural institutions and projects. One of few successful contemporary photographers that have managed to stay faithful to her own artistic style and vision, she exploits her growing artistic talent and technical expertise to produce images that make a difference and that are truly intriguing.The perfection of the images, the careful selection of costume, hairstyles and accessories, the varied poses, the suggested emotions, the clever manipulations of the cigarette's smoke, proves her commitment to creating as perfect as possible and attention-grabbing images. 15 colour illustrations
A companion to the popular website APracticalWedding.com and A Practical Wedding Planner, A Practical Wedding helps you sort through the basics to create the wedding you want -- without going broke or crazy in the process. After all, what really matters on your wedding day is not so much how it looked as how it felt. In this refreshing guide, expert Meg Keene shares her secrets to planning a beautiful celebration that reflects your taste and your relationship. You'll discover: The real purpose of engagement (hint: it's not just about the planning) How to pinpoint what matters most to you and your partner DIY-ing your wedding: brilliant or crazy? How to communicate decisions to your family Why that color-coded spreadsheet is actually worth it Wedding Zen can be yours. Meg walks you through everything from choosing a venue to writing vows, complete with stories and advice from women who have been in the trenches: the Team Practical brides. So here's to the joyful wedding, the sensible wedding, the unbelievably fun wedding! A Practical Wedding is your complete guide to getting married with grace.
A picture-rich field guide to American photography, from daguerreotype to digital. We are all photographers now, with camera phones in hand and social media accounts at the ready. And we know which pictures we like. But what makes a "good picture"? And how could anyone think those old styles were actually good? Soft-focus yearbook photos from the '80s are now hopelessly—and happily—outdated, as are the low-angle portraits fashionable in the 1940s or the blank stares of the 1840s. From portraits to products, landscapes to food pics, Good Pictures proves that the history of photography is a history of changing styles. In a series of short, engaging essays, Kim Beil uncovers the origins of fifty photographic trends and investigates their original appeal, their decline, and sometimes their reuse by later generations of photographers. Drawing on a wealth of visual material, from vintage how-to manuals to magazine articles for working photographers, this full-color book illustrates the evolution of trends with hundreds of pictures made by amateurs, artists, and commercial photographers alike. Whether for selfies or sepia tones, the rules for good pictures are always shifting, reflecting new ways of thinking about ourselves and our place in the visual world.
If you're a beginner photographer, this book can save you hundreds of dollars. If you're a seasoned pro, it can save you thousands. With access to over 16 HOURS of online video, this book helps you choose the best equipment for your budget and style of photography. In this book, award-winning author and photographer Tony Northrup explains explains what all your camera, flash, lens, and tripod features do, as well as which are worth paying for and which you can simply skip. Tony provides information specific to your style of photography, whether you're a casual photographer or you're serious about portraits, landscapes, sports, wildlife, weddings, or even macro. For the casual reader, Tony provides quick recommendations to allow you to get the best gear for your budget, without spending days researching. If you love camera gear, you'll be able to dive into 200 pages of detailed information covering Nikon, Canon, Sony, Micro Four-Thirds, Olympus, Samsung, Leica, Mamiya, Hasselblad, Fuji, Pentax, Tamron, Sigma, Yongnuo, PocketWizard, Phottix, Pixel King, and many other manufacturers. Camera technology changes fast, and this book keeps up. Tony updates this book several times per year, and buying the book gives you a lifetime subscription to the updated content. You'll always have an up-to-date reference on camera gear right at your fingertips. Here are just some of the topics covered in the book: What should my first camera be?Which lens should I buy?Should I buy Canon, Nikon, or Sony?Is a mirrorless camera or a DSLR better for me?Do I need a full frame camera?Is it safe to buy generic lenses and flashes?What's the best landscape photography gear?Which portrait lens and flash should I buy?What gear do I need to photograph a wedding?How can I get great wildlife shots on a budget?Which sports photography equipment should I purchase?Should I buy zooms or primes?Is image stabilization worth the extra cost?Which type of tripod should I buy?Which wireless flash system is the best for my budget?How can I save money by buying used?What kind of computer should I get for photo editing?What studio lighting equipment should I buy?When you buy this book, you'll be able to immediately read the book online. You'll also be able to download it in PDF, .mobi, and .epub formats--every popular format for your computer, tablet, smartphone, or eReader!
This 4th book in our background illustration series is a collection of dark, mysterious and strange illustrations. Fantastical and magical scenery, desolate landscapes, and weird creatures, this book collects 111 dark fantasy artworks from 30 illustrators, including renowned illustrators like Posuka Demizu, the illustrator for the bestselling manga series "The Promised Neverland", and YoShimizu, the cover illustrator for the 2nd book in the series "Beautiful Scenes from a Fantasy World" (9784756249661). The cover Illustration was drawn by Monokubo（twitter: @13033303）, who, with 200K followers on Twitter, is also getting attention in the Japanese illustration industry. This will be the perfect reference book not just for fantasy art fans but also for illustrators and designers working in the gaming industry.
