Publishers of technology books, eBooks, and videos for creative people

Home > Store

Picture Perfect Practice: A Self-Training Guide to Mastering the Challenges of Taking World-Class Photographs

Register your product to gain access to bonus material or receive a coupon.

Picture Perfect Practice: A Self-Training Guide to Mastering the Challenges of Taking World-Class Photographs

Book

  • Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
Not for Sale

eBook (Watermarked)

  • Your Price: $38.39
  • List Price: $47.99
  • Includes EPUB and PDF
  • About eBook Formats
  • This eBook includes the following formats, accessible from your Account page after purchase:

    ePub EPUB The open industry format known for its reflowable content and usability on supported mobile devices.

    Adobe Reader PDF The popular standard, used most often with the free Acrobat® Reader® software.

    This eBook requires no passwords or activation to read. We customize your eBook by discreetly watermarking it with your name, making it uniquely yours.

Description

  • Copyright 2012
  • Dimensions: 8" x 10"
  • Pages: 312
  • Edition: 1st
  • Book
  • ISBN-10: 0-321-80353-1
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-321-80353-5

Foreword by Skip Cohen

Translating the chaos of the real world into a breathtakingly simple, beautiful photograph can often seem like an impossible task. With busy, cluttered backgrounds and subjects who don’t know how to pose, how can you take control and get a great shot no matter the situation? In Picture Perfect Practice, photographer Roberto Valenzuela breaks down the craft of photography into three key elements–locations, poses, and execution–that you can use to unlock the photographic opportunities lying beneath every challenging situation.

Valenzuela stresses the need for photographers to actively practice their craft every day–just like you would practice a musical instrument–in order to master the art of making great images. With chapters that offer practice exercises to strengthen your photographic abilities, you’ll learn how to approach a scene, break it down, and see your way to a great photograph. The Location section features chapters that cover symmetry, balance, framing, color elements, textures, and much more. The Posing section includes the Five Key Posing Techniques that Valenzuela uses every time he’s shooting people, as well as a complete list of poses and how to achieve, customize, and perfect them. The Execution portion, with sections like “Lighting through Direction” and “Simplicity through Subtraction,” reveals Valenzuela’s overall approach to getting the shot. The book also includes an inspiring and helpful chapter on deliberate practice techniques, where Valenzuela describes his system for practicing and analyzing his work, which leads to constant improvement as a photographer.

If you’ve been frustrated and overwhelmed by the challenges of real-world locations, posing your subjects, or executing a great image–or if you simply want to become a better shooter but don’t know where to start–Picture Perfect Practice gives you the tools and information you need to finally become the kind of photographer you’ve always wanted to be: the kind who can confidently walk into any location, under any lighting condition, with any subject, and know that you can create astonishing photographs that have a timeless impact.

Sample Content

Online Sample Chapter

Use Symmetry to Improve Your Photographs

Sample Pages

Download Chapter 4 Symmetry

Table of Contents

Contents
Foreword    xi
Introduction   xiii   
How to Read This Book         xiv

The Location, Posing, and Execution Charts         xvi

Part 1: locations

1 Geometry 3

Geometry for Framing         5

Geometry in the Environment         7

Geometry for Balance         9

Putting It All Together         10

2 Balance 11

Balancing with People         12

Balancing with Objects         12

Five Key Questions for Choosing a Balance Point         12

Balancing with Space         15

3 Parallel Lines         21

Working with Horizontal Lines         22

Working with Vertical Lines         24

4 Symmetry 27

Combining Vertical Symmetry with People         29

Combining Horizontal Symmetry with People         31

Seeing Symmetry Everywhere         32

5 Color Elements         35

Keep Contrasting Colors to a Minimum         36

Find an Area Where the Colors Are Part of the Same Family         36

The Three-Color Limit         38

6 Depth 43

Depth and the Environment         44

Depth with Context         44

Depth for Mood         45

Depth with Movement         49

Shadows         53

The Bright Side of Shadows.         54

Using Dark Rooms Outside to Create Striking Portraits with Shadows          54

1: Shooting from the Shadow Side         55

2: Shooting in the Middle Between the Bright and Shadow Sides          56

3: Shooting from the Bright Side         57

Navigate by the Shadows on the Ground         59

Casting Shadows from Objects to Create Graphical Interest

on a Portrait         61

Using an Off-Camera Flash or Video Light to Force Shadows to

Appear Where Desired         63

8 Silhouettes         67

Vital Components of Silhouettes         .68

A Very Bright Background to Create Contrast         68

Subjects or Objects Should Have Little or No Light Falling on Them         68

No On-Camera Flash         68

Clear and Recognizable Shapes         68

Correct Exposure         68

Creating the Opportunity for Silhouettes         69

Partial Silhouettes         70

Posing Silhouettes         72

Creating Contrasting Silhouettes         74

9 Reflections         77

Reflections Using a Single Mirror                  78

Two Sides of the Same Person         78

Capturing Expressions and Relationships through a Mirror         79

Telling Multiple Stories through a Single Mirror         80

Creating Balance with a Single Mirror         81

Reflections Using Two Mirrors         83

Using Beveled Mirrors         84

Reflections from Water         86

Finding Reflections in Unlikely Places         88

10 Patterns and Repetitions         93

Incorporating Patterns into Photography         94

Breaking a Pattern to Isolate a Subject                  94

Combining Patterns with Geometry         95

Using a Flash to Bring Out the Pattern         98

Combining Patterns with Geometry and Symmetry         99

Working with Repetitions         100

Positioning Subjects Within or Near the Repetition         100

Positioning Subjects to Become Part of the Repetition         101

11 Framing 103

Creating Action Inside a Frame         104

Creating Frames         105

Natural Frames         107

Double Frames         110

ABSTRACT FRAMES         111

Framing with People         112

Framing with Meaning         113

12 Paintings and Artwork 115

Choosing the Right Artwork         116

Removing Context         116

Composition with Paintings and Artwork         118

Technical and Lighting Tips         121

13 Contrasts         125

Old and New                  126

Big and Small         128

Bright and Dark         129

Contrasting Expressions         131

Age Contrast                  132

Contrasting Colors.         135

Breaking the Status Quo         136

14 Lens Flare 139

The Benefits of Lens Flare                  140

Everything in Moderation         140

Moving Halos Away from the Body         140

Block and Crop         142

Setting Priorities         144

Advanced Lens Flare Techniques                  145

15 Walls, Translucent Surfaces, and Textures         147

Walls and Shade         148

Proximity to the Sun         149

Reflecting a Patch of Sunlight         151

Reflecting Window Light in Front of Walls         152

Using an External Flash on Walls         153

Using Walls as Reflectors         154

Think Like a Photographer         157

Using Natural Walls         158

Superimposing Designs on Walls         159

Wall Textures         160

Making Texture Work for You         161

Using Contrasting Textures         163

Translucent Materials         165

Part 2: POSES

16 Five Key Posing Techniques         171

My Posing System         172

Technique 1: Systematically Sculpting the Body         172

Distributing Weight for Natural Posing         172

Symmetrical Posing         175

Technique 2: Posing the Hands         177

Posing Hands in Large Groups         179

Technique 3: Posing the Face         180

The “X” Factor         180

Technique 4: Injecting Expression and Balancing Energies         182

Clichés Don’t Work!         182

Eyes Must Be Posed         183

Technique 5: Give Specific Directions         186

17 Posing Chart 187

Getting the Most Out of This Chapter         188

Traditional         188

Him Behind Her         192

Her Behind Him         194

Walking         197

Kissing         201

Playful, Action, Movement         206

Holding Hands         210

Sitting         213

Together Side by Side         216

Interpretive         219

Distance Apart         224

Hugging         227

Foreground/Background         230

Facing Each Other         234

Kiss Anticipation         238

Featuring Him         239

Featuring Her         240

T-Pose         242

Part 3: EXECUTION

18 Execution 247

Lighting through Direction         248

Simplicity through Subtractio         250

Beauty through Angles         252

The Tourist Test         254

Bird’s Perspective         254

Dog’s Perspective         257

Perspective through Lenses         259

Part 4: DELIBERATE PRACTICE

19 Deliberate Practice 263

Perform         264

Discover         265

Technical Problems         265

Location Problems         266

Lighting Problems         266

Pose/Expression Problems         266

Approach Problems         267

Artistic/Creative Problems         267

Breaking It Down         267

Analyze         268

Step-by-Step Practice Session         269

Situation         269

Breakdown Exercise Log         270

Integrating the Location Chart and Previous Practice Sessions         270

Practice Session Photos and Analysis of Results         271

Real-Life Application of New Skill Set         275

Final Practice Examples         277

Weeds or Plants         277

Narrow Hallways         278

Foreground/Background and Silhouettes         281

Ruffled Dress         283

Final Words         287

Index 289

Updates

Submit Errata

More Information

Peachpit Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Peachpit and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Peachpit products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email ask@peachpit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.peachpit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020