John Hedgecoe's Figure & Form

by John Hedgecoe

Photographing the Nude John Hedgecoe. Sound, practical advice on all aspects of photographing the nude, with a superb selection of images. Detailed captions explain both the technicalities behind each photograph, and its aesthetic appeal. Great special effects! 160 pages (all in color), 6 5/8 x 10 1/4.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

John Hedgecoe (24 March 1932 – 3 June 2010) was an award-winning British photographer and author of over 30 books on photography. He established the photography department in 1965 at the Royal College of Art, where he was Professor from 1975 to 1994 and Professor Emeritus until his death. He was also Pro-Rector of the college from 1981 to 1993. His photographs appear in permanent collections at the New York Museum of Modern Art and London's National Portrait Gallery.

"Professor John Hedgecoe was a photographer who took the portrait of the Queen which is used on British postage stamps; as such he is credited with the planet's most reproduced image, which has so far sold more than 200 billion copies." (The Telegraph)

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hedgecoe was an instructor, author, and primarily a fine arts photographer.

This book is film based but still offers much to instruct and inspire. Lighting diagrams are included and the techniques are fairly basic with simple setups and equipment.

Hedgecoe does include samples of his work that required much toning and other chemical enhancements in the darkroom. I don't do that kind of manipulation since my work is commercial.

The author has included many examples of his own work and they are well presented and reproduced. He stresses the importance of rapport between model and photographer and the communication necessary in the planning and execution of a work session.

Inevitably dated is some respects, this book will remaining my library as inspiration for myself and models I worl with.