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Picture Perfect Practice: A Self-Training Guide to Mastering the Challenges of Taking World-Class Photographs
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.
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.
312 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2012
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598 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 8, 2015
As a serious photographer, I am not intimidated by books loaded with technical jargon related to camera settings and concepts such as depth of field or lens perspective. Not much of that in this book which is a welcome change. This book focuses on the author's considerable artistic skills - primarily in the areas of location (18 subdivisions), posing (18 subdivisions) and execution (4 subdivisions) with significant numbers of photos showing the good, bad and the ugly. Certainly blows the myth that a good expensive camera makes one a great photographer (usually they end up with "high definition snapshots") this book stresses the need for attention to detail and practice and shows one how to develop those skills. Probably a bit more advanced than the average person would care to tackle but for those willing to make the effort this is an excellent guide.
December 6, 2012
If you are looking for something to take you and train you to have a better "eye" for photography, or if you are looking to improve yourself in your photography, grab this book! It is worth every penny!
Valenzuela takes you through his training, teaching you to constantly be "seeing" with your brain images that would be good pictures or not. Rather than never knowing "why" this picture is your favorite, you will "know" why you love that picture!
Each chapter has homework with it- which is great because it makes you get out and practice what you were just taught. (for me this always helps to solidify what I have been learning)
Valenzuela takes you through his training, teaching you to constantly be "seeing" with your brain images that would be good pictures or not. Rather than never knowing "why" this picture is your favorite, you will "know" why you love that picture!
Each chapter has homework with it- which is great because it makes you get out and practice what you were just taught. (for me this always helps to solidify what I have been learning)
August 14, 2015
I actually finished this awhile ago and have read quite a few other photog books in between, so my memory may be a bit fuzzy, but as I recall, this was an excellent book and that I liked the way the author was like "yes, I take photos of my teddy bear, WHAT! What! my photos are awesome, so there"
April 11, 2020
Lovely book with many insights, tips, secrets and homework after each chapter, which is super helpful.
The book is focused on wedding photography though which is not my genre and most probably I will never use these skills in my photography.
Also, I wish there were more comparing photos of before-after, with-without. In most examples the author simply wrote do this and don't do that without visual examples to illustrate the advice.
+ I will certainly do all the tasks after each chapter for practicing and polishing my skills.
The book is focused on wedding photography though which is not my genre and most probably I will never use these skills in my photography.
Also, I wish there were more comparing photos of before-after, with-without. In most examples the author simply wrote do this and don't do that without visual examples to illustrate the advice.
+ I will certainly do all the tasks after each chapter for practicing and polishing my skills.
December 6, 2012
This might have been one of the best books I've read this year! The focus on *practice* and providing exercises to develop the eye was really inspiring. I wanted to share the authors ideas with everyone -- I even lead a photowalk of 20 people on which we chose a couple exercises and just walked around finding photos for each.
The posing section gave concrete advice and considerations that I need. This is my next focus in my photographic development as I enjoy portraiture.
I wish I could have read the book faster to just absorb it all sooner. I'll definitely be referring back to this book to keep refining and enhancing my creative skills.
The posing section gave concrete advice and considerations that I need. This is my next focus in my photographic development as I enjoy portraiture.
I wish I could have read the book faster to just absorb it all sooner. I'll definitely be referring back to this book to keep refining and enhancing my creative skills.
February 22, 2022
Another good book by Roberto Valenzuela. This one is a little bit of a mix from his other books and doesn't go nearly into as much depth. However, you get a list of a ton of exercises to do that will improve your photography. The chapter on "Deliberate Practice" was amazing to see - you have to put the effort if you want to take great photos. Overall a good addition to anyone's photography shelf. However, if you are looking for books to start you off, I would recommend Picture Perfect Lighting or Picture Perfect Posing as the starting point. This book is good as an atlas and an exercise guide, but it is not so helpful if you need it as a launching pad - his other two books will teach you the prerequisites.
July 6, 2019
I return to this book again and again as a reference for identifying and framing well-balanced photos. The author does a brilliant job of illustrating the correct and incorrect use of concepts like symmetry and geometry. The more fresh this book is in my mind, the better I am at eyeing photo-worthy shots and skillfully capturing them.
March 24, 2021
This is so far the best and most practical book I have read on photography. Roberto has a very good talent to explain the techniques in a very easy-to-understand way. There is not a single chapter talking about things not useful. Very good.
January 6, 2018
Good projects to practice your photography.
June 5, 2018
AMAZINGGGGG!!!!
March 16, 2024
I struggled to work through the entire book, but it did have quite a few good tips, and especially at the end about how to practice, which has always been a question of mine!
January 4, 2017
This book provides a lot of practical advice for taking good photographs and encouragement toward developing the discipline to practice your craft.
It is definitely geared especially toward portrait photographers (the author is a wedding photographer), so while some principles will apply generally to those pursuing other types of photography, the majority of examples will not be as relevant. There are extensive sections on posing people, for example. Great information, but not relevant to all types of photography.
This book definitely does provide good inspiration for considering the various details of your photographs...location, lighting, textures, patterns, etc....items which do apply to photography in general.
It's not much of a self-training guide in terms of laying out a step by step plan for practice. The author does provide glimpses into his own professional development routine, which are helpful.
It is definitely geared especially toward portrait photographers (the author is a wedding photographer), so while some principles will apply generally to those pursuing other types of photography, the majority of examples will not be as relevant. There are extensive sections on posing people, for example. Great information, but not relevant to all types of photography.
This book definitely does provide good inspiration for considering the various details of your photographs...location, lighting, textures, patterns, etc....items which do apply to photography in general.
It's not much of a self-training guide in terms of laying out a step by step plan for practice. The author does provide glimpses into his own professional development routine, which are helpful.
April 18, 2016
I did my first read of this book: yes, several more reads are in order. Overall, I thought it a great tool for taking your composition skills and photography to the next level. I'm looking forward to working through the various exercises and analyzing the examples in the book further. It's a little difficult following the text and examples in a digital format. Despite things not always flowing nicely, I still give it a 4 star review.
August 15, 2015
One of the best books on photography I read so far. The author has a great way of suggesting how to turn theory into practice and although his examples are mostly from wedding photography (which is not really my favourite form of photography), they are truly universal. A recommended read for any aspiring photographer.
July 23, 2012
This is a really good book for the intermediate photographer. Usually I skim through photography books but with this one I read almost every word. Lots of good information. My only complaint is that it was pretty wedding-photography-centric, but that's what the author does, so it's understandable.
October 4, 2012
Great photography book! It covers the basics of geometry, balance, lighting, and more! Be warned, however - there are two or three rather unnecessary (and immodest) photos. (Not bad for a photography book though.)
September 2, 2012
love this book it will be a reference for a long time
March 13, 2013
strongly recommend this book to those who want to master people/wedding photography
June 16, 2013
A great book that helps one understand the way a photographer needs to look at light and environment around subject and make the best use of it!
December 30, 2013
One of the best photography books I read. A MUST own for any photographer.
November 26, 2016
Beautiful and creative images!
July 30, 2013
Excellent, easy to follow and very helpful book.
October 9, 2014
Informative for learning about photography techniques & elements.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews