Good book on Portrait (Studio) Photography?

[mhm]

After a very frustrating experience with a "professional" (over 2 months after selecting pictures before we received them, printing in B&W when they were presented to us originally in color, and costing wayyy too much), I want to learn how to do it myself. Any good books on studio portrait photography out there?

 

[Furgus]

Can't really recommend one book, but if you go to your local library, I am sure they will have a bunch you could check out. Don't just look for digital only books, as we all know the roots of our picture taking still comes from film.

 

[Master Mason]

Portrait work, is mostly about the lighting, from what I have been reading. Even outside, there is fill flash and worrying about shadows and hot spots.

With that in mind, you should look at information about lighting as well.

 

[tinksdad]

I have the Master Lighting Guide by Christopher Grey that is very helpful. Also check out the Strobist. David's blog site is pretty incredible with ALL sorts of helpful hints, suggestions, how-to guides and DIY tutorials that will help anyone learn to light better. He just started his Lighting 102 that promises to be a lot of fun.

 

[KrazyPete]

I don't have this book but I'm going to mention it anyway:

Lighting for Portrait Photography
By Steve Bavister

I was really impressed by the book the last time I was at Books-a-Million. He shows you a photo, explains how it was taken and gives you a 3D diagram of how the lighting was set up. If you flip through the excerpts in the Amazon link above you will see what I am talking about. I've been itching to go back and pick it up but I'm already in the middle of reading "Understanding Exposure" and "The Digital Photography Book." I figure I should finish at least one before starting yet another photography book.

Check out the Strobist stuff that tinksdad linked you to. None of it is shot in a studio but the principles still apply. It's a great place to start and it's free. You can read his "Lighting 101" this weekend and then jump right in at the beginning of "Lighting 102."