Jane Bown has over 45 years' practical experience as a professional portrait photographer. Working exclusively in black and white, using only natural light and one SLR camera, she has photographed many of the most famous individuals of the second half of the twentieth century. Her unerring eye and talent for revealing the personalities of her sitters have won her tremendous critical acclaim. Here she reveals the secrets of her craft.
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"She can look at a person and she knows, instinctively, straight away, who they are" Bjork
About the Author
Jane Bown has worked as a portrait photographer for the Observer for over 45 years. Her previous books include The Gentle Eye, Men of Consequence and Women of Consequence. This is her first practical photography book. She lives in London and Sussex.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
A pair of inviting eyes and an almost beckoning finger draw you into this remarkable book. Jane Bown's "Faces: The Creative Process Behind Great Portraits" is a collection of some of her best photographs of famous people.
Photographer extrodinaire, her talent is evident on each page and, when we read the brief descriptions of how each picture was taken, it is even more amazing. Some were taken with only a few minutes of time allocated and in very difficult locations.
The black and white pictures, taken mostly in natural light, reveal subjects relaxed and comfortable. As we look at them, we see more than just a face, but not as voyeurs. There is no unwanted exposure, just intimacy and trust between subject and photographer.
Subjects range from John Lennon and Paul McCartney to Mother Theresa via Richard Burton, Noel Coward and Orson Welles. John Betjeman's laugh is a masterpiece and a pensive Eartha Kitt is moving. There is nothing intrusive, but we can feel a personal empathy with them, thoughtful, contemplative, laughing, dreaming or, sometimes, smiling.
We see familiar people in a different light and learn a little more about them. This is a book that I shall return to frequently, certain to find something new each time.
Photographer extrodinaire, her talent is evident on each page and, when we read the brief descriptions of how each picture was taken, it is even more amazing. Some were taken with only a few minutes of time allocated and in very difficult locations.
The black and white pictures, taken mostly in natural light, reveal subjects relaxed and comfortable. As we look at them, we see more than just a face, but not as voyeurs. There is no unwanted exposure, just intimacy and trust between subject and photographer.
Subjects range from John Lennon and Paul McCartney to Mother Theresa via Richard Burton, Noel Coward and Orson Welles. John Betjeman's laugh is a masterpiece and a pensive Eartha Kitt is moving. There is nothing intrusive, but we can feel a personal empathy with them, thoughtful, contemplative, laughing, dreaming or, sometimes, smiling.
We see familiar people in a different light and learn a little more about them. This is a book that I shall return to frequently, certain to find something new each time.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
If you thought that beautiful portrais can only be made by using fancy strobes, incedent light meters, backgrounds and reflectors, this book will change your mind. Bowen only uses natural light and very little else, yet her portraits are technically perfect, sensitive and soulful. The photographs in the book depict celebrities in black and white and in a manner which provides a glimpse into their true character. The author also provides a little information about the shooting conditions and why the end result works. (However, it is not a how-to instruction book.) A must-read for anyone interested in portrait photography.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is one of the most inspirational books i have ever seen on portrait photography. from the moment you open it you dont want it to end. The photographer Jane Brown shares her techniques, from f-stops to film and has wonderful tales to tell of all her pictures. The portraits are stunning especially the one of Danny de vito(pg104) and Patricria Arquette(pg-111). A great book to pick up when you need that boost of inspiration.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An honest approach to portrait photography
Working in black and white with an SLR-camera set to 1/60th at f 2,8 - and without the use of flash - Jane Bown succeeds to catch the core of the personality of her sitters. Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2005 by Leif Asbjørnsen
5.0 out of 5 stars
An inspirational book in its own quiet way
In a previous book, The Gentle Eye, the commentary at the back likened Jane Bown's photography with Jane Austen's novels; quintesntiually English, observant, using all but a simple... Read more
Published on 22 Feb 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastically simple portraits
Forget the gimmicks, and don't worry about your equipment. Jane Brown has been taking fantastic portraits for decades using a camera and standard lens. Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2001 by Nigeupnorth
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must for all portrait photographers
Inspirational. Although I must declare that my own photographic preferences mirror Jane's. That's to say, natural light, Kodak Tri-X film so if you're not into black and white... Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2001
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