Book recommendation

[mvr_photoshop]

Hello there,

I'm looking for a book that can teach me techniques to improve portraits. I've reviewed a few books in my local bookstore, but most of them include just a few pages on portraits and most of the book they teach other things. Do you know of any book that is mostly dedicated to portraits that you can recommend?

Thanks!

MVR

[Wendy]

Hi there ...

... and welcome to the forum :)

I really don't know of any books that specialise in portraits ... maybe one of the others will know of one ..

Wendy

[CarolLHB]

Hi MVR-

Wendy's right, no specific books that I know of either, however if you are a member, Dave's online retouching class has a ton of great techniques for portrait retouching. I also just got his new book for Christmas called "Photoshop Finishing Touches"-terrific and filled with retouchng how to's and tips.

Hope this helps:)

[epaul6]

I think that if you check out Photoshop Elements Maximum performance by Mark Galer you may fine some interesting tidbits on improving portraits (among other things). It comes with a companion 4 hour DVD. He covers Character and Glamor portraits specifically. His chapters on target tones, hue and saturation and sharpening use portraits as examples. He also has a faux High Dynamic Range chapter which is interesting as well. This book is targeted for the intermediate or advanced student interested in getting the best results from their photos.

[TonyW]

I don't have it but I did browse it and it looked like it could be the sort of thing you're looking for:

Portrait Photographers Handbook by Bill Hurter

Tony

[mvr_photoshop]

Thanks everyone for the welcome and for the tips. I'll look for the two books recommended and hopefully one will do.

Happy New Year to all of you.

MVR

[OFD678]

what about Dave cross's finishing touches? It is for CS2, but most of it would translate to PSE5.

[Byron Gale]

Matt has been a-twitter, of late, over the looming release of his new tome, "The Photoshop Elements 5 Restoration and Retouching Book ".

It is listed at Amazon.

[Byron Gale]

I should also add that the Dave Cross DVD "portrait retouching with photoshop elements" is EXCELLENT.

(I didn't forget to capitalize words in the title .. that's the way it is)

[pgreen7436]

I just bought the "Digital Photography for Dummies" book. It's actually 8(?) books in one and has a couple of chapters devoted to using Photoshop and Photoshop Elements to do things. Great tips throughout. Expensive though, it ran about $40!

[efarnstrom]

Scott Kelby's "the photoshop elements 5 book for digital photographers" has an excellent chapter on retouching portraits. The same principals in the book are also in the online training offered here. I took the course here earlier and have been very pleased with the results I can attain.

Of course, there's lots of other wonderful information in Scott's book. I have one by my computer and one by my bed to read at night! I got 2 for Christmas! I guess I put it on too many wish lists.

[Matt K]

Hey MVR,
My Retouching and Restoration book is exactly about what you're looking for. It's all about making people look better. Should be out sometime by mid-January and I'm really happy with how it came out. Stay tuned. I think we're going to run a special that if you order it from our store, I'll sign the copy before it ships (if you want that is) :)

[ME100FINN]

How exciting! A new book release from Matt. Congrats! Portrait work (mostly of my kids) is my favorite thing to photograph - I look forward to the book.

[Wendy]

Hi Matt ...

That is great news ... can't wait to see your new book. It sounds good :)

Wendy

[CarolLHB]

Looking forward to it, Matt:)

[John L Gray]

Matt,

I got an email from Amazon on a pre-order, that your book was delayed for released until March 07.:(

Delighted to read your update on the forum that your book will be out in mid January. :)

Looking forward to your book.

John

[kimh]

I'm in too, Matt. Sounds good.
Kimh

[yellowsnaps6432]

Check out any books by Scott Kelby, he is amazing!

[Stringbean]

Hey MVR,
My Retouching and Restoration book is exactly about what you're looking for. It's all about making people look better. Should be out sometime by mid-January and I'm really happy with how it came out. Stay tuned. I think we're going to run a special that if you order it from our store, I'll sign the copy before it ships (if you want that is) :)

Will this be a book on retouching & restoration generally, or just portraits?