Covering a range of portrait styles, this book combines technical photographic know-how with a creative approach to portraiture. The styles include candid shots, formal groupings, children at play and celebrities and others at work. Among the topics discussed in the technical sections are types of cameras, lenses, studio lighting and flash, make-up for studio models and special effects. The author emphasizes that photographers should think about the effect they want to create and about how to reveal the character of their subjects. He offers tips on composition, evoking mood and atmosphere and making the subject feel at ease in front of the camera. John Hedgecoe's many books on photography include The Book of Photography, The Photographer's Handbook and The Complete Guide to Photography.