A Hollywood photoillustrator with 30 years of experience, Varis has been published in National Geographic, Newsweek, and Fortune magazines. Far from a manual on fashion or nude photography, this is a comprehensive tutorial on how to photograph all types of people: young, old, and dozens of ethnic varieties. Varis supplements the book with a CD of numerous before-and-after sample image files and technical reference materials. He begins with a discussion of the right hardware and software and how to configure them, then teaches digital color management and lighting techniques as they apply to portraiture. He also provides in-depth chapters on retouching and special effects, including such techniques as skin smoothing, beauty retouching, screen diffusion, and depth of field effects. Highly recommended for serious students. (Library Journal, March 15, 2007)

* This practical guide is a complete start-to-finish approach to integrating everything from posing models to shooting and retouching candid scenes
* Keeping in mind that achieving accurate skin tones is one of the most challenging tasks in digital photography, professional photographer Lee Varis covers a range of skin: women and men, young and old, various skin tones, studio and outdoor photography, and tattoos
* Step-by-step tutorials, as well as before-and-after illustrations, demonstrate various techniques for topics such as digital-specific lighting challenges and what can and cannot be done in post-process
* The CD-ROM contains sample image files to use while following the tutorials, plus equipment recommendations and technical reference materials that enhance and reinforce the instruction

What is the color of skin?

A practical guide to photographing people in the digital age

It’s one thing to snap someone’s picture. It’s another thing entirely to capture the essence that made you reach for your camera in the first place. Now a top Hollywood pro shares his secrets for the digital capture of human skin in all its variety: young, old, male, female, different skin tones and ethnicities, with makeup or without?even tattooed skin!

Using step-by-step tutorials and stunning full-color examples, industry expert Lee Varis teaches it all: the basics of digital imaging, essential tricks to shooting indoors and out, how to light your subjects in any pose, and much more. Above all, you’ll find out why the color of skin that’s best for final output is almost always a departure from reality.

Topics include:

• Starting with the right hardware and software settings
• Developing your digital color "chops"
• Mastering Rembrandt lighting and other basic techniques
• Overcoming common digital skin problems, such as too much red
• Adjusting skin tones to withstand nearby colors like green grass
• Faking tattoos and photographing the real thing
• Trimming the fat, lighting up the eyes, and filling in wrinkles
• Adding soft focus, retouching, and other advanced Photoshop® techniques
• Discovering what can and what can’t be done in post-process

Follow the tutorials in the book with numerous before-and-after sample image files on the companion CD. You’ll also find technical reference materials to enhance and reinforce your learning.

• Know how to soften wrinkles and change shapes?and when not to!
• Beautifully color-balance every skin tone
• Brilliantly light any number of subjects in any location

Lee Varis, a Hollywood photo-illustrator, has been involved in commercial photography for three decades. His images have been featured in National Geographic, Newsweek, and Fortune magazines, and both his writing and photography have been featured in trade journals such as PDN, New Media, and others. His pictures have appeared on movie posters, video box covers, and CD covers, and in numerous brochures and catalogues. He has been a seminar instructor with APA, PPA, Julia Dean Photographic Workshops, and Apple Computer.

Achieving accurate skin tones is one of the most challenging tasks in digital photography. Master this challenge with professional photographer Lee Varis as he covers a range of skin: women and men, young and old, various tones, in-studio and outdoors, tattoos, and more. His step-by-step tutorials and before-and-after illustrations demonstrate various techniques for topics such as digital-specific lighting challenges and what can and cannot be done in post-process.

A free CD-ROM accompanies the book and contains sample image files to use while following the tutorials, plus equipment recommendations and technical reference materials that enhance and reinforce the instruction.

Order your copy of this practical guide today and get a complete start-to-finish approach to integrating everything from posing models to shooting and retouching candid scenes.

sehr gut aber leicht veraltelt (stand beginn cs2)

sehr gut erklärt
90er jahre stil
nimmt bezug auf die anfänge von cs2
grundsolide herangehensweise an verschiedenste themen

skin

I’m floored by this book, there are things I never would have thought of! lots to learn and it’s going to take a while... I’m really happy that he offers tips for older editions of ps b/c I don’t have cs3 but I can still do everything he talks about b/c he explains how to do it with older editions too.... fabulous book, must have!!

Insightful

I haven’t read all the chapters yet, but so far the book has surpassed my expectations. It’s easy to understand but aimed at those who want a deeper understanding of photography. I bought it for the purpose of learning more about accurate skin color in digital photography, but the book has much more in content, such as a good chapter on lighting and photographing people.

Solid but nothing special

I really don’t get all the gushing 5-star reviews for this book. Some of the chapters are solid, but its full of filler [the tattoo chapter????], and final images that are frankly embarrassing. Kevin Ames’ book [photographing Women] is WAY better [and more interestingly written]. You should also check out Chris Orwig’s retouching stuff on lynda.com - also more valuable.

one of the best

I have worked in a pro photolab for 12 years. Photography and Photoshop are always a main topic in conversations at work.
This book is not an "intro book", if you want to learn photoshop or photography basics, I recommend looking somewhere else (try the digital photography book vol 1 or vol 2 {they’re both excellent but different} by the author scott kelby). What this book is, however, is one of the best all around books on intermediate portraiture skills that I’ve read. It has a broad spectrum of topics all relating to making skin look like you want it.

The book covers:
physical characteristics of digital capture and lighting
positioning of the lights and camera (a couple are a little over the top)
monitor calibration
retouching for flawless skin
other miscellaneous photoshop tricks and techniques

A real dissapointment, there are better sources like ...

I’m an experienced photographer and retoucher with Adobe Photoshop. I own many books and think can make a sincere judgment. Well, that said ...I have bought the book based on the many good reviews, but it was a real disappointment. It’s outdated and very, very basic. Even the only chapter that actually covers the title of the book about correcting skin tones wasn’t useful. Save the money, there are much better books and sources on the Internet. For example do a Google search on `Gry Garness’.

If you’re a photographer or Photoshop user with zero experience, then this book might bring you some knowledge, but for the rest it will only be in your book closet unused.

VERY HELPFUL, INDEED!

Behind the scenes look at the art and technique of glamour/nude photography. Includes discussion and many wonderful photos to help understand the concepts. I learned several techniques that I was not previously aware of. If you are interested in this type of photo work, I recommend the book. A good value.

Great Book on Skin

I haven’t really read all the chapters yet but this book is very professional in terms of the processes they use to enhance images. Everything from different kinds of lighting to the steps through photoshop to printing. With that said, this is not a beginner book. Prior photoshop experience is needed or else one will easily get lost.

Awesome!

This is a must have book for anyone shooting professional portraits or stock photos with people in them. It explains everything from lighting, to photoshop. Very well written!

Great help for working in CS3

The tools and exercises were easy to follow and understand, I found all of the information relevant and heplful. All of my photoshop project begin with a glance into this book for tips on how to do it better!
Great investment.

Very usable

Not the best for those new to Photoshop, and will be difficult for some to follow along with versions of PS older than CS. But packed with tips and tricks to allow you to get the most out of your digital images in the digital darkroom.

The Best Photoshop Book

I’m photographer and I like to read about the photoshop but this book is one of the best book of It’s kind, the book also include the CDROM with example images. Highly recommended.

Marcos

The best book on skin retouching

If you do portrait photography, you need this book.

Covers everything from lighting to wrinkles removal using the latest photoshop tools.

Great book.
Well worth it.

Jean