Portrait Photography For Everyone - Monte Zucker

I have the set "Portrait Photograpy For Everyone". Matter of fact I have all of his training materials. Before I submit my review you should know that I only do weddings and I typically do classical portraits rather than photojournalism type portraits. In other words I normally setup the portrait rather than try to catch it while it happens. I have lots of knowledge regarding the technical side of photography but I am lacking in the areas of posing, lighting setups, composition.

In my opinion:

On these dvds Monte is presenting guidelines for creating classic portraits. This also includes some useful retouching tips. As Monte would say "These are guidelines, not rules". The only rule is "If you like the portrait then take it".

These dvds are very good for someone who has very little or no knowledge about classic portrait photography. For someone with a year or two experience with classic portrait photograpy these dvds would probably be just a refresher course.

These guidelines will get you started creating classic portraits. As you gain experience you will probably modify or ignore some of the guidelines so that you can create classic portraits done the way you think they should be done.

hunter440 wrote in post #3448047
Everyone thinks he is a great guy----but it looks like none of us have seen this DVD!
Still looking for a review.

Haven't seen the DVD, but I "did" get the opportunity to meet him in person at one of the WPPA conventions in Vegas, while watching his demonstrations with lighting and models. What I observed about Mr. Zucker was that he could set up a pose and lighting about as fast as you could blink, and every shot came out perfect. I would say that He could probably do these set ups in His sleep. He was either well rehearsed, or flat knows His stuff! I suspect the latter.
-Bruce

TMR Design wrote in post #3348073
That's more what I was looking for too. Product description is nice but I wanted to know from someone that saw the DVD how they liked it and what, if anything they got from it.

I'm not necessarily looking to buy it but I'm very curious what they are charging for and if buyers felt it was a good value.

Honestly, that's the kind of pricing that just is not worth it.
You can easily figure this stuff out on your own if you have some clue or just look at others images and ask about the set up.

$45 yes $140 absolutely not. any good sub $30 book with GOOD diagrams and sample images and the rest on your own.

Rob I agree more than what anyone is probably looking for in pricing.

narlus wrote in post #3343590
damn, $140 is a lot of coin for a DVD...

I find this a lot... when concerning prices of instructional DVD's we shouldn't be looking at these on the same level as we would the latest new release from Blockbuster.

Instead, look at these types of DVD's as a seminar that you can attend over and over again if you wish. How much would you pay to go to a seminar to learn exactly the same things? Granted, you can't be there in person and ask questions, but then when you're at the seminars, you can't hit the rewind button to remember stuff that you forgot after you've left either.

Folks, this is NOT meant to be entertainment... it's meant to be education and in my humble opinion, you really can't put a price tag on that!

I'd be more inclined to buy a book. Who wants to sit and watch an entire DVD when you could just flip to the page you want to read.

He does have a good name in the photographic community though.

forkball wrote in post #3454356
I find this a lot... when concerning prices of instructional DVD's we shouldn't be looking at these on the same level as we would the latest new release from Blockbuster.

Instead, look at these types of DVD's as a seminar that you can attend over and over again if you wish. How much would you pay to go to a seminar to learn exactly the same things? Granted, you can't be there in person and ask questions, but then when you're at the seminars, you can't hit the rewind button to remember stuff that you forgot after you've left either.

Folks, this is NOT meant to be entertainment... it's meant to be education and in my humble opinion, you really can't put a price tag on that!

Or you could just join this site or any other photography site where hundreds (if not thousands) of professional photographers post regularly. $140 saved.

I have this DVD and think it's quite good. We all determine whether something is 'worth it' or a good value based on different criteria and our own level of experience.

SO regardless of the 'worth' of the DVD I'll cut to the chase. I found the DVD to be very educational, although a bit short. It's like many DVD's that end too soon and leave you wanting more. That's the nature of the beast. But the information and the way it's presented is exceptional.

This DVD is among many that I have and use for reference. I don't think that any one video, DVD, book or teacher will give you everything you need, all in one nice neat place. It just can't happen, so you have to draw from these individual resources and get what you can from them.

The DVD, although excellent, is NOT something you can use to learn all about studio lighting. Its application is specific to posing and lighing for studio portraiture. Ratios are not covered. Metering is not covered. It's one more tool in the educational toolbox and should be viewed that way.

I recommend this DVD but not to someone new to lighting with little to no experience. With a basic understanding of studio lighting and portraiture you'll get a lot from the techniques shown by Monte Zucker.

After watching this several times I can honestly say this is one hell of a good DVD for anyone that wants to learn the basics of portraiture. Monte Zucker speaks clearly and slowly and makes it easy to understand what is being done.

Not only does he cover basic lighting but he also goes into posing and camera position. Too bad he's no longer with us. You can tell he had a passion for educating others about photography and good portraiture.

I know it's hard to equate information on a DVD to cost so all I can say is that if cost is not a factor and you're just looking for a really good DVD that in my opinion is better than so many others (for instance, the Will Crockett DVD) then this is a must. I give it high grades.