I never trained to be a photographer, so this book was my first real insight into the thought process of making a good image. Written for a true beginner, this book discusses such basic concepts as filling the frame, capturing emotion (both happy and sad), and reacting to the action around you. Before spending a load of money on photography classes, or other books and manuals – try finding this book on eBay and really try to absorb Mr. Elgort’s advice. His writing style is so easy and unpretentious that it will make you feel anything is possible.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Style Scanner
September 1, 2009 at 10:24 am
Think that's probably just started a bidding war on Ebay now!
Stratos Bacalis
September 1, 2009 at 10:36 am
Arthur Elgort is amazing – I have his Models Manual book and every time I open it is like the first time!
Stefan
September 1, 2009 at 10:43 am
I must still be waking up, I majorly misinterpreted the subtitle. If you take it out of the context of photography, it has not-so-funny ramifications.
Thanks for sharing your inspiration. It's wild to think you were never trained as a photographer!
taryn
September 1, 2009 at 10:45 am
I love Arthur Elgort! His pictures are always so beautiful. I had the pleasure of working with him on a couple of shoots and he is so incredible and surprisingly completely unpretentious.
Great man and a great talent!
Ediot
September 1, 2009 at 10:52 am
such a cute kid on that book. great tip.
JustNorman
September 1, 2009 at 11:00 am
nice title. go arthur.
http://www.justnorman.blogspot.com/
the blog that no one knows about
JamieDOTBall
September 1, 2009 at 11:16 am
truly a wonderful book!
Catherine
September 1, 2009 at 11:52 am
Thanks! Off to amazon!!
Completely loving the chattier posts, I admire your images so much it's great to hear some more on your thought process.
shoe york city
September 1, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Something very Royal Tenenbaums about the art direction of this Elgort book. Scott, do you disclose to readers/aficionados how you use daytime flash to fill subjects in your book (I know it's not a how-to book, but a girl's got to dream)? It's something I haven't been able to teach myself. Thanks. http://www.shoeyorkcity.com
Anonymous
September 1, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Weird title!!
La Condesa
September 1, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Thank you for the advice, I am in the process of buying my first nice digital reflex (hesitating between nikon and canon) and was actually considering wether one of those courses would be a good idea.
I'll first try this book…I'll tell you all about my improvements, jeje
Mr. Badami
September 1, 2009 at 1:55 pm
What an unfortunate title, though…
'how to shoot your kids'…..
Iheartfashion
September 1, 2009 at 2:00 pm
LOVE him.
The Photodiarist
September 1, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Must follow that advice! I must say that photography classes can be helpful, but nothing beats getting out and just clicking away as many days of the week as possible. Thanks for the insight into your inspiration.
Anonymous
September 1, 2009 at 7:38 pm
That was going to be the title of my book! I guess I'll need to find somthing other than how to shoot your kids.
Heidi
September 1, 2009 at 7:47 pm
thank you for your advice, it gives me hope that i can improve my photography with just a book! i hated the idea of having to attend a formal class and i do so love to shoot my kids. Hx
Moomby
September 1, 2009 at 7:53 pm
very cool! thanks for sharing your influences!
cassaundra
September 1, 2009 at 8:15 pm
thank you for the advice, scott!
just tok your recommendation and ordered mine off of half.
i'll get to reading :-)
Anonymous
September 1, 2009 at 9:53 pm
ohhh thanks for that. I might seek that book out!! And I have pre-ordered your book – coming all the way to New Zealand. Yay, can't wait!!
Anonymous
September 1, 2009 at 10:20 pm
"how to shoot your kids" lols. everytime i talk to my model/photographers go, i imagine what other people must be thinking when they hear me say that.
Nathalie
September 2, 2009 at 2:09 am
Thank you! love your posts lately!
Charotte Collard Blog
September 2, 2009 at 2:29 am
Arthur is an amazing person! I worked with him so many times and he is always been for me the best person to work with! So professional but so respectful towards the team! This photographer is a dream! I really miss him a lot!
bird of light
September 2, 2009 at 6:26 pm
nice! Great advice.
Elicia
September 2, 2009 at 10:37 pm
i wanna see if my library has this book.
S.
September 3, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I'm totally baffled by the number of people who misread the subtitle. What the hell is going on in the collective subconscious.
RE: this post. Excellent book.
miguel
September 5, 2009 at 1:35 am
i'd never have guessed, for one, that you'd never trained as a photographer… you are such an inspiration to me now, seeing how you went from sales to your true passion, and doing it with such panache and finesse while at it, producing amazing, inspiring work… hopefully the decisions i've, and still have to make will allow to live out my dream too, even though my path at the moment is apparently leading me another way… thank you, scott… cheers to your first book!
all-in-the-silhouette
September 5, 2009 at 11:12 am
I worked with Arthur many moons ago. At the time, fashion was his mainstay and he was shooting ballerinas on the side. Those dancer shots were pure art.
Hi Arthur!
Life with Kaishon
September 6, 2009 at 10:24 pm
I would love to read that. Love to! I was taking a picture of some sisters this weekend and one was happy and smiley and the other stoic. At first I tried repeatedly to get her to smile and then something clicked in my head, that this child was not a constanly smiley child. And you know what, it is ok for her to be photographed as she is : ) Hopefully the mommy thinks that too, right? :)
Monica from Hola!design
September 8, 2009 at 10:19 am
I need that book! thanks for sharing
Fifi
September 8, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I love the font on these books
Pjjjj
September 10, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Wow this is such a greay way of learning about photography without acutally having to join a photography class! Thanks, I'll tell my sister about it!
http://www.crossingyouinstylesomeday.blogspot.com
Teresa @ good-grace
September 11, 2009 at 9:47 am
I love these posts sharing the books that influenced you… thank you.
AilanthusAltissima
September 13, 2009 at 10:11 am
I love the title. It stopped me in my tracks.
aliomi
October 6, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Great person. Great photographer. Great family. Love the Elgorts
aliomi.blogspot.com
'kay
December 5, 2009 at 12:26 pm
i appreciate it immensely that you share this. It surprises me though thatyou never trained!!! On the other hand I don't believe in taking classes as a must. This just proves it.