Recommendation for portrait learning

Any book recommendations?

Given my age and general disposition this is hard to say, but forget books and focus on video. Youtube has a lot of incredibly helpful channels and videos. I might be able to make more specific recommendations if I knew what specifics of portraiture you want to learn about, lighting, posing etc. But start with a search for portrait tutorials and surff from there.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17683804
Given my age and general disposition this is hard to say, but forget books and focus on video. Youtube has a lot of incredibly helpful channels and videos. I might be able to make more specific recommendations if I knew what specifics of portraiture you want to learn about, lighting, posing etc. But start with a search for portrait tutorials and surff from there.

HA! You and me both.

Frodge, what I found that taught me the most about this was experimentation. I agree with Gonzo, watch a few videos with regard to lighting then get a friend or a relative and start trying different things. If you can't talk anyone into it, look around on Model Mayhem. But be straight and just tell them you're trying to learn portraiture. There are plenty of people on MM that are new to this too and are willing to work with you for trade for images.

+1 on youtube. Generally, directional lighting, window lighting, and a long lens. Very hard to go wrong if you force yourself to shoot with an 85mm F1.8. Posing is probably most important when it comes to portraits.

I agree with videos. And practice. I watched a lot of lighting videos. It improved my studio-type (dining room) shooting a lot. I got a cheap lighting setup from Cowboy studios for about $30. 2 stands, 2 umbrellas, 2 cold shoes. Had to supply my own Speedlights. I currently have 580EX II, 2x 430EX II, 2 270EX II, and a full set of YN-622 stuff. Versatile.

Thanks guys. I'll check it out.

Yep, despite also being an old fogey who likes to read actual paper books, I agree that for this sort of learning youtube etc is the way to go.

http://www.amazon.com …ds=speedlighter​s+handbook
http://www.amazon.com …s=light+science​+and+magic

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1440875​234&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1440875​283&sr=1-1

Thanks very much!