Books about Photographing from Amazon.com

Achieving accurate skin tones is one of the most challenging tasks in digital photography. Master this challenge with professional photographer Lee Varis as he covers a range of skin: women and men, young and old, various tones, in-studio and outdoors, tattoos, and more. His step-by-step tutorials and before-and-after illustrations demonstrate various techniques for topics such as digital-specific lighting challenges and what can and cannot be done in post-process.

A free CD-ROM accompanies the book and contains sample image files to use while following the tutorials, plus equipment recommendations and technical reference materials that enhance and reinforce the instruction.

Order your copy of this practical guide today and get a complete start-to-finish approach to integrating everything from posing models to shooting and retouching candid scenes..
Price: $21.23 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Creative ideas on how to take frame-worthy photographs of children and family

Presenting a fresh approach to photographing children in portraits as well as candid situations, these project-oriented chapters teach readers core photographic techniques by using helpful examples and instructions. Readers learn how to photograph in natural environments, with natural light, elegance, and sensitivity..
Price: $15.99 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Whether you're interested in studio photographs, or "environmental" photos of individuals where they live, in Face to Face you'll learn the preparation and attention to detail required to make alluring people pictures.

From the Introduction
The Camera Looks Both Ways
"In picturing the subject, we are also picturing a part of ourselves."
When it comes to photographing people, that is, no doubt, the most important photo tip I can share with you. "Every picture is a self portrait" is another way of conveying that point. Let me explain. When you are looking through your camera's viewfinder, viewing and framing a subject, if you realize that the feeling, the emotion, the attitude and the energy that you project will be reflected in your subject's face--and eyes--you'll get a higher percentage of pictures that you like. That's because by your actions, you are subconsciously "directing" the subject to mirror the way you feel. So in looking at the opening photograph in this introduction, I am sure that you know exactly how I was feeling when I took the picture outside a school in Lombok, Indonesia. That's right! I was having a blast. For all the photographs in this book, I will provide their locations for those of you who may want to know where the pictures were taken. Some of you may find that photographing strangers in strange lands is the ultimate photography experience. For me, getting people to like, or at least accept me, in a matter of seconds in far-away places is my prime goal as a travel photographer. After achieving that goal, taking the pictures is relatively easy--if you follow the tips in this book. Even if you are not a world traveler, however, you'll find that my tips and techniques for photographing people, for the most part, are the same, no matter where you go. In this book, the one that I've dreamed about writing for years, I'll also share some behind-the-scenes stories. For my Lombok picture, for example, I had just finished doing magic tricks for about an hour in one of the school's classrooms. I love doing magic tricks when I travel, and it's also a great technique for "breaking the ice" and getting people to let me into their lives for a few moments. That effort resulted in one of my favorite group shots--a shot that captures the enthusiasm of the school kids. Of course, I'll also get into the technical aspects of photographing people on the following pages. You'll learn how to photograph people in low light and in bright light, with a flash and without a flash. You'll see how reflectors and diffusers can turn a snapshot into a great shot. You'll understand the difference between an environmental portrait and a portrait--and the difference between taking and making a picture. Camera settings and lenses will also be covered. You'll find sections on Outdoor Photography and Indoor Photography. In some cases, you'll be able to use the techniques interchangeably, such as when it comes to posing a group or creating a sense of depth in a photograph. In fact, I will share everything I know about photographing people with you--all while trying to make the learning process fun and enjoyable. Before moving on, I'd like to share three more pictures with you that illustrate my "Camera Looks Both Ways" philosophy.

Check out my pictures of a young woman whom I photographed in Cuba, a Buddhist monk whom I photographed in Cambodia, and a man with face piercing whom I photographed in Cuba. While photographing one subject, I was beaming with joy. For another, I was trying to show an honest feeling of respect. And for another, I was expressing the feeling of, "Man, you look totally awesome." I don't have to match the photos with the feeling for you. See! The camera does, indeed, look both ways. Speaking of photo philosophies, if you check out the table of contents, you'll see that Photo Philosophies is the longest section in this book. That's because getting a good picture of a person goes way beyond technique. When it comes to photographing a person, you really need to think before you shoot, and that section offers a lot of food for thought. So what about Photoshop? Well, all of the pictures in this book have been enhanced to some degree, even it was only in sharpening, cropping and/or adjusting the brightness, contrast and color of an image. This is not a Photoshop book. However, because Photoshop can help you get a more dramatic, dynamic and artistic images, I've included a section at the end of this book that features my favorite Photoshop enhancements when it comes to people pictures.

For now, this before-and-after pair of images of a horse and rider at sunset, photographed at the Ponderosa Ranch in Oregon, shows how simple cropping and a bit of color, contrast and brightness enhancement can turn a snapshot into a great shot.
Ready to get going with some solid tips and techniques? I am. In fact, I can't wait for you to read the rest of this book--because I truly enjoy teaching and sharing my photographic experiences. Naturally, I also like "revisiting," so to speak, some of my favorite subjects. Those of you who have attended my workshops and seminars, or have seen my Web TV shows, also know that I enjoy meeting people. For those of you who are joining me for the first time, I hope you enjoy "meeting" me here. Before you go, however, I'd like to share two of my all-time people pictures with you.





Let's look at a portrait of a young girl whom I photographed in Bhutan and a picture of three girls that I photographed in Costa Rica. What I like about these pictures is the direct eye contact the subjects are making with my camera--and me. Connect with your subjects, and your pictures will connect with those who view them.
Understand your subject, and you'll gain some insight into the soul of the photographer--your soul.








--Rick Sammon
Croton-on-Hudson, NY
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Price: $20.65 [Notify me when price goes down.]

A must for everyone with a Passion for the Southwest! Have you ever wanted to see with your own eyes all the beautiful locations found in coffee table books, posters and travel magazines? Do you want to see the most photogenic spots in our national parks and monuments? Do you want to visit spectacular "off the beaten track" locations outside the parks? Are you are interested in rock art and early Native American dwellings? The Photographing the Southwest guidebook series is the culmination of over twenty years experience exploring and photographing the natural landmarks of the Southwest. Volume 1 will take you to the heart of Southern Utah, home to some of the Colorado Plateau’s most outstanding highlights. Beyond the National Parks of the famed “Grand Circle”, you’ll discover many hidden locations of Red Rock Country as well as Indian rock art and cliff dwellings. The book also makes a quick side trip into Northeastern Utah to explore the remote area around Dinosaur National Monument. Enough for weeks of new discoveries in the area! • 320 pages of great information for everyone; no need to be a photographer • 240+ full color photographs, to previsualize most of the sites • Major upgrade of highly-praised 1st edition; entirely rewritten, many new locations • Hundreds of locations, including the best spots and how to get there • All the major national parks, monuments and state parks • Clear and precise directions provided for seldom seen and hard-to-find sites • Lots of travel tips not usually found in traditional guidebooks • Where, when and how to get the best shots • Valuable tips on composition, exposure and hard-to-shoot scenery • Comprehensive ratings for each location (interest, difficulty, etc.).
Price: $15.53 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Have you ever wanted to see with your own eyes all the beautiful locations found in coffee table books, posters and travel magazines? Do you want to see the most photogenic spots in our national parks and monuments? Do you want to visit spectacular "off the beaten track" locations outside the parks? Are you are interested in rock art and early Native American dwellings? The Photographing the Southwest guidebook series is the culmination of over twenty years experience exploring and photographing the natural landmarks of the Southwest. A must for everyone with a Passion for the Southwest, Volume 2 takes you on a grand tour of Arizona, starting with an in-depth discovery of the Grand Canyon, from the rim and from the river, exploring the superlative landscapes of Navajoland, including Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly, amazing narrows and slot canyons such as Antelope Canyon, the incredible swirls of Coyote Buttes and its crown jewel: The Wave, the colorful area around Sedona, all the national parks and monuments of the Sonoran desert, and finishing with a foray into the adjacent southern tip of Nevada..
Price: $15.51 [Notify me when price goes down.]

The Photographing the Southwest guidebook series is the culmination of over twenty years experience exploring and photographing the natural landmarks of the Southwest. Volume 3 will take you on a remarkable journey of discovery from the vast plains of Northwestern Colorado to the deserts of Southern New Mexico, exploring geological marvels, sand dunes, the alpine scenery of the San Juan and Rocky Mountains with their incredible wildflowers and fall colors, ancient cliff dwellings, old mining towns, Spanish New Mexico, and Indian Pueblos . We also make a short foray into Texas to visit Big Bend National Park..
Price: $15.47 [Notify me when price goes down.]

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See the world in a fresh light.

In its Second Edition -- inspired by the participants of Patterson's workshops from North America to South Africa to the UK, Australia and New Zealand -- of this classic text, Freeman Patterson offers readers valuable information on the essential building blocks of visual design, including:

• Light
• Shape
• Line
• Texture
• Perspective.

The book provides clear and concise instructions on putting these building blocks together to create balance, proportion and rhythm in any photograph. A separate chapter features valuable advice for evaluating one's own photographs.

Extended captions include valuable technical information and personal commentary reflective of the superb craftsmanship and stunning photography from one of the most celebrated photographers worldwide. The second edition is updated to include technical guidelines adapted for both digital and film photographers.

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Price: $13.09 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Expert photography advice the author provided to visitors to Yellowstone when he served there as the Kodak Ambassador in Yellowstone National Park.

This guide is designed to allow the average visitor to comfortably manage the vast abundance of subjects within Yellowstone National Park and to answer the crucial questions of what is worth photographing and how to do that in a way that will result in postcard-perfect photos of the park's landscapes and wildlife. An appendix provides a suggested itinerary to plan a visit to each district. No park visitor should be without it. 4 maps, full-color throughout, appendices..
Price: $5.60 [Notify me when price goes down.]