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.
The Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Crafting Light and Shadow book pdf
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 dramatic portrait can be elegantly simple or beautifully complex. The visual elements can be steeped in narrative or taken 100 percent at face value. The approach is entirely yours. Hopefully this book guides you on your journey in reaching your destination.
Knight moves on in his publication to discuss his mastery of light and how his brain dissects not only the tools he will use but how his mind sees the light not yet there. He walks his reader through how the brain, through the eyes, interprets a photo. He accomplishes this lesson both in written word and visually in a way I have not seen before. Each point he makes punctuated with the power of a photo. The lessons Knight produces in his second chapter are riddled with what can best be described as simplified technicality. What I mean by this is that the author has such a firm grasp on the technical, but his years of instructing have also granted him the unusual ability to put into words concepts that even a journeyman can immediately understand and put into practice. Knight departs from what many other instructors and authors I have seen in the past do, in that his volume doesn't just show you the pretty photos he is capable of making, but instead displays the context of the writing. In the case of his lighting diagrams, he highlights how often some of the lighting is barely visible, but when combined into the whole, yields incredible results. With discussions of falloff, contrast through falloff, flags, and other controls, this chapter alone is a reason to purchase the book.
As previously mentioned, I have attended numerous workshops in the past. Very recently I heard a seminar instructor incorrectly describe the classic lighting styles of paramount, loop, Rembrandt, split, and what constitutes broad and short light respectfully within each of these styles. So I know misinformation is out there. What Knight does in this volume is not only clarify what forms each lighting style but how to create it and how to find out when you have slipped out of the classic technique. Knight does warn that if you are looking for exact measurements regarding positions and placements of lighting/modifiers, you are in the wrong place: "If it were that formulaic, photography would not be a craft." The highlight of this chapter for me was the use of the lighting to create mood, not just to light a face. Knight is known for his dramatic flair, so fans of his work will certainly appreciate the insight into the thought process which creates his stunning imagery.
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.
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.
Used as a textbook for various educational programs, this covers specifics of film photography and printing. Also useful for digital artists to show what the different colors of light are doing in the black and white medium.
Other books will cover certain aspects of photography in greater detail, giving even a seasoned professional a tutorial on different subjects. Subjects that may be of interest could include portrait lighting, macrophotography, studio product photography, video, sports photography, architectural imaging, astrophotography, and even business practices. 2ff7e9595c
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