Group Portrait Photography Handbook

by Bill Hurter

Overview

Photographers of human subjects will appreciate the advice in this guide for capturing groups on film. From basics such as posing and composition to technical aspects of focusing and lighting, this handbook addresses concerns for both amateur and professional photographers. Indoor and outdoor settings are discussed, as are tips for working with subjects to capture a variety of emotions and personalities. This latest edition has been freshened with 180 new images and an expanded section on digital technology, including information on white balance, resolution issues, and digital proofing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608950898
Publisher:	Amherst Media, Incorporated
Publication date:	06/01/2005
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	124
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Bill Hurter is the author of "The Portrait Photographer's Handbook" and is the editor of "Rangefinder." He lives in West Covina, California.

Table of Contents

	Introduction	6
Chapter 1	The Technical Aspects of Good Portraiture	9
	Camera Format	9
	The Effect of Focal Length	10
	Lenses and Depth of Field	13
	Depth of Focus	14
	Shifting the Focus Point	15
	Making the Film Plane Parallel to the Group Plane	16
	Shifting the Field of Focus	16
	Optimum Shooting Apertures	17
	Shutter Speeds	18
	Film Choice	22
	Black & White Films	23
	Exposure	23
	Metering	25
Chapter 2	Posing and Composition	27
	Subject Positioning	27
	Head and Shoulder Axis	28
	Head Positions	29
	7/8 View	29
	3/4 View	31
	Profiles	31
	Tilting the Head	31
	Head Levels and Placement in Groups	31
	The Eyes and Communication	32
	Mouths and Expression ... and Communication	33
	Chin Height	34
	Camera Height and Perspective	34
	Posing Hands	35
	Three-Quarter and Full-Length Poses	35
	Composition	38
	The Rule of Thirds	39
	The Golden Mean	39
	Direction	42
	Learning to Identify Form, Line and Direction	43
	Pleasing Compositional Forms	44
	Line	44
	Subject Tone	44
	Tension and Balance	46
Chapter 3	Building Groups	47
	Posing Hierarchy	47
	Posing Dialogue	50
	Perimeter Check	50
	Coordinating Apparel	50
	Photographers' Favorites	53
	The Armchair	55
	Start with Two	55
	Add a Third	61
	Adding a Fourth	63
	Five on Up	67
	Obvious Things to Avoid	69
Chapter 4	Building Big Groups	70
	Naturalness Counts	70
	Posing Levels	73
Level 1	Standing	73
Level 2	Tall Kneel	74
Level 3	Short Kneel	74
Level 4	Sitting	74
Level 5	Lying Down	74
	Stepladders	74
	Linking Shapes	74
	The Really Big Group	76
Chapter 5	Outdoor Lighting	81
	Roundness	81
	Lighting Ratios	82
	Finding Good Light	84
	The Best Light	87
	One Main Light	87
	Reflectors	89
	Fill-in Flash	89
	Using Flash-Fill, Metering and Exposure	91
	Background Control	93
	Direct Sunlight	93
	Problems Outdoors	94
Chapter 6	Indoor Lighting	100
	Feathering	100
	Lighting the Large Room or Dance Floor	101
	Focusing Umbrellas	101
	Window Light	103
	Subject Positioning	105
	Exposure	107
	Fill-in Illumination	107
	Diffusing Window Light	107
	Bounce Flash	108
	Lighting Large Groups with Bounce Flash	108
	Diffused "Straight" Flash	109
	Umbrellas and Softboxes	111
	Michael Ayers on Using Umbrellas	111
	The Making of the Ultimate Group Shot	111
	Glossary	114
	Contributing Photographers	118
	About the Author	122
	Index	123

Editorial Reviews

"Camera basics and techniques for posing, composing, and 'capturing' people from a couple to a wedding party."  —Reference & Research Book News

From the Publisher