Face to Face: Rick Sammon's Complete Guide to Photographing People

by Rick Sammon

In this beautifully illustrated book, travel and adventure photographer Rick Sammon introduces the proven techniques he uses to make extraordinary photographs of people around the world. You'll find important tips and strategies for engaging your subject and setting up the shoot, along with techniques for shooting in a variety of conditions both indoors and outdoors.

Rick Sammon is people person who loves the art of making -- rather than simply taking -- people pictures. In Face to Face , he makes learning people photography a quick and enjoyable experience. Rick demonstrates his methods through a collection of his original photographs. Each photo includes notes explaining the principles he followed and the techniques he used.

Face to Face offers hundreds of tips you can you for studio shoots and "environmental" people pictures,

The largest section of the book, "Photo Philosophies", lays out several principles for making people pictures. Rick stresses that the camera looks both ways -- in other words, the attitude and energy you bring to a shoot will be reflected in a subject's face. If you're enthusiastic, you'll capture a picture that portrays enthusiasm. If you're impatient or distracted, that will be reflected as well.

Getting subjects to accept him in a matter of seconds is his prime goal as a people photographer -- after that, he says, taking pictures is much easier. Even if you're not a world traveler, Rick's tips and techniques will have you taking top-notch people pictures wherever you are.

Rick Sammon gives more than a dozen workshops and presentations each year, holds online classes, and is the producer of seven interactive DVDs for photographers on all facets of photography.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction

303 pages, Paperback

First published May 22, 2001

Reviews

[Naveen]

A beautifully illustrated book, travel and adventure photographer Rick Sammon introduces the proven techniques he uses to make extraordinary photographs of people around the world. You'll find important tips and strategies for engaging your subject and setting up the shoot, along with techniques for shooting in a variety of conditions both indoors and outdoors http://www.ricksammon.com and his fb pg https://www.facebook.com/RickSammonPh...

[Bruce]

The short story format to explain a photo or technique used to make a photo works for McNally but this author misses an opportunity to communicate useful information by spending a majority of his words talking about where he traveled and what he did or likes. Just a lost opportunity IMHO. I gave it a 2 star rating because I'm feeling generous.

[Deigh]

I think this book would have some value for a very beginning photographer - one just new to photographing people but if you have any experience then I don't think there is much here to help you. There was a couple of interesting stories but overall not much of interest.

[Sean]

Good photography book on portrait techniques. Photoshop section near the end was a bit light weight but this is not a problem for me as I'm not so interested photoshoping techniques.

[Kory]

Lame book. I think he should have made a coffee table book of his pictures. It was all pictures, very little instruction.

[Babak]

No thanks. I did not learn much from this book.

[Rajesh]

Good book about taking Portraits

[Sharon]

Good for inspiration. Much of the material & tips can be found on the author's blog and podcasts.