Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 Average or a bit below "how to" on photographic portraiture January 8, 2007
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
I didn't know who Michael Grecco was before coming across this book - and learning his "creative lighting techniques and strategies" won't make an iota of difference in my life.
Most of the Grecco portraits shown in this book are unappealing to me. Instead of naturally striking, they appear strained and posed for effect. A photograph of two actors from a one-time hit TV series has them scowling into the camera with large shadows against the wall. So what? But Grecco claims this is the "noir" look he was after. If you look at the classics of noir cinematography and the publicity stills for those films, you'll see in a moment that this is not noir, but pale and poor imitation of noir.
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery - and Grecco does go in heavily for imitation - but it does not necessarily produce striking photographs. And none of the photographs in this book are striking.
Worse, none of them are in color, although the originals clearly were. (Grecco says so in many instances.)
Crude sketches showing the light placement accompany each of the photos, but lend little. For example, no great genius is required to see that in one photo taken outdoors, a single fill light was employed. But this fact is dutifully recorded along with the outline of the pier it was taken on, the river behind the pier and the unmistakable skyline of Manhattan on the other side of the river. I mean, talk about meaningless froth.
Grecco obviously makes a good living peddling his style to magazines, but I'm not impressed by his skills as a photographer or a writer.
Jerry
 Exactly what I needed! August 22, 2001
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am so grateful to have stumbled upon this wonderful book. I have been wanting to push myself as a portrait photographer, and feel that my use of available light is tremendously limiting as far as location and creativity are concerned. Michael's book describes in detail the equipment he uses, the lighting setups, and the concepts behind the shoots he has done for Entertainment Weekly, Premiere, etc. I can feel that this book is going to help me take my work to another level, and I recommend it to any artist ready to challenge themselves. Thanks much, Michael Grecco, for sharing your knowledge.
The very best book on lighting and portraiture. October 18, 2000
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
Grecco is a master of light. This book is educational, entertaining, and very well written. Grecco illustrates his lighting concepts with examples of his cutting edge portraiture, and excellent lighting diagrams. I would recommend this book for all photographers, from students, to enthusiasts, to seasoned pros....................Jeff Sedlik, Photographer, Lighting Instructor at the Art Center College of Design, Board of Directors of the Advertising Photographers of America
 Thinking "Outside of the Box" April 25, 2000
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
If you want to learn to think "outside of the box" of traditional portrait lighting, this is the book. You may not like everything he does, but his imagination and technique are outstanding. The only problem is the lack of color in the book.
Great Illustration of How One Photographer Uses Light February 2, 2000
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I enjoyed the ideas Michael Grecco has for using light. The examples are well-explained so the reader can come up with his own ideas. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for new ideas for lighting or needing to learn how to use light when taking photographs.
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