lighting

The book is helpful and directive with good explanations on how to set up on-location lighting, mostly using natural light. It is beneficial to me, however, it deals primarily with medium format, non-automatic, cameras and equipment; only one chapter deals with 35mm and autofocus cameras. Even though the book was written in 2003 the author never mentions digital photography, never even touches on it. That is a drawback. If you are using digital, this book may not be good for you. The information about use of lighting, diffusers, and reflectors is still a great help. I do recommend the book.

Most portait photography books teach by making you a "clone" of the author. Mr. Allen's aproach to portraits (in both of his books) is not that way. He teaches you how to think about your own style of portraiture and then how to test your technical approach in a step by step method, so as they say, "you can get it on the film". If you follow his logic, there is no way you cannot end up a better photographer.