Hollywood Portraits: Classic Shots and How to Take Them

For many of us, the artistry of Hollywood publicity photographs of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s were the spark that would ignite our passion for photography. Who can ever forget classic images of Fred Astaire in top hat and tails, Humphrey Bogart with cigarette in hand, any of hundreds of sultry Lauren Bacall photographs? "Hollywood Portraits" is an unusual book, in that it not only celebrates these great photographs, but dissects them and then shows the lighting setups that were probably used to create them. The book is intelligently written, technically excellent and will definitely get your creative juices flowing. Each image not only has a lighting diagram, but is rated for difficulty in recreation. The narrative here is very useful, addressing issues as diverse as why today's health conscious models need to act comfortably around cigarettes if you are to recreate these classic images. What I like about "Hollywood Portraits": 1) GREAT unusual subject, tackled from a photographer's point of view. 2) Written with the aim of re-creation in mind 3) Something for everybody, from simple one and two light setups to complicated recreations. 4) EVERY image is rated for difficulty in recreation. 5) Very little filler or fluff, only one page on 'lighting basics' (essentially a vocabulary) that doesn't seem out of place at all. 6) If you've been searching for a new photographic project for 2005, this one will get you thinking about Tinseltown recreations within fifty pages. What I don't like about the book: Nothing. This one's definitely a keeper. Read it for fun, then recreate magic from Hollywood's golden years.

I was surprised when I recieved this book that it not only had fantastic photographs, but it gave you great detail in how to reproduce the same effect for each photograph. It was rather a nice addition to the fine photography. Stars included are Vivien Leigh, Sophia Loren, James Cagney, Elizabeth Taylor, etc. Photographers included are among the best like C.S. Bull, Lazlo Willinger, George Hurrell, and some anonymous photographers who sadly did not get credit during their time. All in All, this is a nice book printed on high quality paper and bounded in soft cover.

Some else worte that the book is not correct, they had never tried to recreate some of the effects. I have personaly tried recreating some of the lighting and all of the photo's came out great without much make up and no touch ups. Also most all of the photo's I took were worth blowing up to a large photo. The book explains lighting, film types, and how it has changed over time. You can reproduce the hollywood portrait look with very little expense.

This book was great!! It really helped me achieve the results i wanted!!!!

This book is a must-have if you're as enamored with the B & W glamour and sensuality of the old Hollywood as I am. The diagrams on capturing the unique and moody lighting will get any level photographer on the road to recreating these wonderful scenes. The enthusiast of vintage glamour will find the pictures and tidbits from those days fun and interesting to read as well. A book that should be on any photographer's reference shelf- as any book with Roger Hicks name as author, should be.