Now that, after all afternoons, we have returned to the routine and with it we are recovering time to read, I can think of a new literary recommendation for lovers of female portraiture that includes many professional secrets. If you want to know them, stay;).
You like portrait photography and especially fashion portrait or female portraiture. It is a book for professionals or those who take their first steps in fashion photography and portraiture, especially women. And the first steps I mean professional steps, if you start photography. Now, I would recommend other books (like this one) because, in my opinion, it is based on the that you already have notions of photography and that it helps you to specialize in this field.
- It’s not for you if what you like are spontaneous.
- Improvised.
- Stolen portraits.
- Etc.
- It is a different type of book.
- With more studied poses and tricks so that the represented woman is more favored or transmits the desired message.
It is a book that is divided into two parts: a first, on characteristic attributes and a second, on pose and style:
A section designed to guide her in identifying each woman’s unique physical attributes and learn to value them better.
Chapter 1 Face shape. In this, she talks about the different types of faces that exist, how to recognize them and the lighting that best suits them, what type of lens to choose and how makeup can help, also explains how to improve a female portrait with the technique “Burn and overexpose” in post-production.
Chapter 2 Body Types. There are different types of bodies and not all promote the same poses, it helps you learn to recognize them.
Chapter 3 Perceived Defects. It is a very wide chapter that goes from the color space, where it explains the different types of color spaces that exist and which is most recommended depending on whether you are going to print the photos or that are only in digital format, etc. to correct imperfections that the customer wants to eliminate, both through makeup, lighting or assembly, with tips to avoid glare on glasses, jowl or gray hairs for example.
Style techniques to influence visual communication. It is about the importance of nonverbal communication and what is communicated according to the pose.
Chapter 4: Understanding Body Language. A chapter where it offers clues about what is transmitted according to what poses, highlights the importance of knowing what we want to transmit and considering the context.
Chapter 5 Standing Poses. Examples of standing poses with tips, suggestions, and examples of photos for inspiration.
Chapter 6 Sitting Positions. Talk about beauty photos and some tips for taking them, as well as examples of sitting poses and hands.
Chapter 7 Elongated Poses. Very similar to chapter 5 but with poses lying down for the female portrait.
Chapter 8 Basics of Style. The author, after his extensive experience, is well aware of the importance of style in a female portrait and conveys it to us: the keys to style, costume advice and the importance of clothing adapting well to the model, whether fashionable or not.
It devotes an important section to the underwear for the Boudoir sessions, it also offers makeup and hairdressing tips, as well as garments recommended by the studio to monitor and facilitate the sessions.
Chapter 9. Complex styling functions. Tips for not improving features with which the model is not comfortable. As the author of larger sizes says, “the goal is not to make them look thinner, but not to add more visual weight. “
Chapter 10: Introduction to the Illustration of Women. A basic guide to lighting properties and lighting equipment.
Chapter 11 Portraits, schemes and facial lighting tips
Chapter 12 Commercial Photography. Products of lighting techniques and tricks, hairstyle, skin, accessories, jewelry?
Chapter 13. Mode. Recommended lighting techniques and schemes for fashion photography.
Jeff Rojas is an American fashion photographer and backist based in New York City. His main work includes portraits and fashion photographs published in Elle and Esquire. Jeff often works as a photography teacher.
I leave you with an interview with the author (in Spanish?)
The number of examples you use. When he talks about a type of face and how to photograph it to make him more favored, he illustrates it with photographs taken by himself, as well as poses and lighting patterns. Every aspect he touches is accompanied by a very clear example, with a generous image in size and quality.
It is actually subjective and has nothing to do with publication or author but with today’s society and her tireless pursuit of women’s beauty and perfection. I wish it didn’t take so much lighting, makeup or post-production. make a woman feel beautiful in a photo. If we all looked with different eyes and the publicity wasn’t so fierce, I think the world would be a better place, but?Like I said, this is my personal opinion and it has nothing to do with the content, but boy, I like being able to yell it around here;) Having said that, I must add that the author is quite respectful of the subject.
And already, related to the publication, is that sometimes there are two photos that compare in which the difference is not very clear, it can be because of the impression or because the difference is so subtle or minimal that it is difficult to detect it. At first glance, but of course we’re talking about a book for women’s portrait professionals, are these differences more obvious to them?
This post was born from his previous success
It is a recommended publication for all those interested in female portraiture and especially for those who consider a professional career, or for professionals who plan to enter this field if they have not tried it before, that is, those who are trying to “reinvent themselves”.
It is an easy-to-read text, in which the author talks about his experience and in close tone. A very complete book that offers tips and tricks for before, during and after sessions and that will surely make your task much easier.
Was that helpful to you? If so, I ask you to share it, and if you have any comments, feel free to share it below, thank you and see you soon!