Zucker - Monte Zuckers Portrait Photography Handbook

I am continually asking professional photographers (and aspiring professionals), To what extent are you willing to put yourself out in order to become the best photographer that you can be? To what lengths are you willing to go to create the best portrait that you can make? The answer keeps coming back, Whatever it takes! Im ready to go all the way.

I dont believe that any morenot for the majority of people with whom I have come into contact. People say that, but when push comes to shove, the answer really is, Whatever it takes as long as I dont have to put myself out too much. Many people really dont want to study/learn any predetermined technique. Instead, they say, I want to be myself! Be creative! Be an individual! I dont really care about what other photographers have done in the past. Id rather experiment and find out on my own what makes things work for me and my clients!

Does this make any sense at all? Do you really believe that anyone can figure it all out by himself? To my thinking, it makes much more sense to get yourself a coachsomeone who can see your strengths and help you grow from them, someone who can point you in the right direction so that you can achieve your maximum potential. Where would all of the worlds great performers, artists, and athletes be today if they had not had proper coaching and training? If you think about it, what doesnt make sense is someone wanting to figure it all out by himself.

So, where do you stand on this issue? Are you willing to studyand study hard? To practice hard? To get the necessary equipment, however big or small it may be? Its not easy to achieve your maximum potentialbut do you really want to settle for just good enough?

I have to think that if youre reading this book, youre at a point where you are ready to make your decision. So ask yourself, Am I going for it? Am I willing to make the effort to learn proper technique and put it to practice? Am I willing to struggle through the growth stages of becoming a true portrait photographer and find my maximum potential?

Perhaps, at this point you should pause and reflect on all of the above. If youre looking for the easy way to become a creative portrait photographer, then continue to study here, to practice, and to grow. If, on the other hand, you decide that youd rather make your life difficult, go ahead and learn the hard wayput this book away right now and try your own hit-and-miss techniques until you might stumble on something that will work once in awhile. Its up to you. Good luck in whatever you decide for your future.

A Monte Portrait (the term I use for my work) is simple, elegant, void of distractions, and flattering to the subject. It makes a statement mostly about the subject, but at the same time reflects my interpretation of that person.

SETTING GOALS

An effective portrait makes a dual statementfirst, a statement about the subject; second, a statement about the photographer. An effective portrait is a successful combination of the two. If you look at a persons portrait and you are drawn into his or her personalityif you feel that you know something about the person by looking at the picturethen the photographer has accomplished his or her goal.

For example, a Monte Portrait (the term I use for my work) is simple, elegant, void of distractions, and flattering to the subject. It makes a statement mostly about the subject, but at the same time reflects my interpretation of that person. A Monte Portrait is one that shows the subjects naturally, but also depicts them as I would like them to be. I can photograph reality when it suits the subjects, or I can idealize them when I feel it appropriate. Either way, it is a simple statement. I want you to feel a Monte Portrait as well as see it. If you are emotionally connected with my subjects when you see their portraits, I feel that I have done my job.

You should strive for this with every person that is in front of your lens. The only way to achieve it, however, is to master the technical skills that will enable you to concentrate on each subjectwithout being held back by having to think consciously about posing and lighting.

It is to this end that this book is being written. My goal is to give you specific instructions, step-by-step and in simple language, on exactly which angle of the face to photograph, how to pose the body, where to place the camera, where to position the lights, and how to expose the image for maximum detail in the finished print. If you study this material carefully and really work with it, you should be able to become the photographer that you want to be.

Can anyone really figure it all out by himself? To my thinking, it makes much more sense to get yourself a coach to point you in the right direction so that you can achieve your maximum potential.