Dramatic portrait. The art of light and shadow

This book for photographers who want to reach the next level in portrait photography. She explores the elements of light, its properties and modifications and talks about light patterns, diagrams and features of real lighting.

From the editor
There is no photo without light. As you know, almost every photographer, the word “photography” goes roots in two Greek words, which together means “a drawing of light” “but less universally recognized and understandable is the role that the shadow plays in the creation of bright and expressive images, especially in portrait painting. It is thanks to the dexterous use of light and shadow that you can go beyond the usual shooting in the field of creating a dramatic portrait, which can accurately convey the essence of the personality and express your photographic vision.
In the book, Chris Knight shares with the reader a unique approach to light and shadow, which allows you to improve and raise portrait shooting to a new level. He begins with the history of portrait painting - from the early works of the Egyptians and the Greeks to filigree work with the Light of Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Vermaur. Then Chris is immersed in a deep study of light, shadow and portrait, offering numerous lessons and recommendations.

From the book you will learn:
About the qualities of light - hard, soft and all spectrum between them,
About the relationship between light, object and background - and how to control them,
On the coefficients of lighting and their effect on contrast,
On equipment - from large and small modifiers to specific tools,
About how to approach the stylization of your portrait - from the wardrobe to the background,
On the working process of post -cutting photos to increase dramatic and effect.

As a result, you will understand how all of the above elements are summarized and compiled to help you find your personal style and create your own story in the photo portrait.

From the author
Just photograph a person is one thing, and to remove his portrait is completely different. The portrait is created with the intention, awareness of the goal, and thanks to this, the image gains depth and withstands the test of time. We regularly forget to ask ourselves the question "why" - why are we creating photos? But these "why", the meaning lying behind the image, makes the portrait expressive and unforgettable. Often we miss these "why" or do not pay due attention to them at the early stages of training in photography, because the technical part - lighting, processing - seem to us more "specific" and easily achievable skills.
This book will teach you to formulate and express your intention and create something more than just a beautiful picture (although I will teach this) The process of intentional, meaningful shooting, in which the tools familiar to everyone participate - light, stylistics, composition - affects all photographers and all types of photography. Do you remove portraits, fashion, weddings, art or something else, my goal is to provide you with tools that will help to express what you have on your mind. The point is that your pictures should talk about something.
But why is the portrait the best visual expression of human essence? Because the portrait is the image of a person. Given the huge number of visual styles with which we are dealing, you decide to create in your special style, because it reflects what you want to say. The tools and language of the photo are universal, but the prospect of creating portraits is unique, it is only yours.

For whom this book
For beginner professional photographers and everyone who is fond of photography.

About the author
Chris Knight-New York Portraiter photographer and teacher. He combines the unconditional love of the history of art with a conditional love for technology - and all this with an eye on cinematic and uncompromising attention to details. His works were published in Vogue, PEOPLE, MSNBC, ABC, Ocean Drive, GQ and other magazines. Chris is also a teacher at the Pratt Institute and the New York Film Academy.
2nd edition