Subtitled “Techniques, strategies and thoughts on making portraits with meaning”, this is no simple book of technical approaches to making portraits. Rather, it is a thoughtful discussion of the process of making meaningful portraits, based on the author’s long career as a professional photographer and educator.
At the time this book was written (2004), Robin Gillanders was on the faculty of Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland. This is no dry educational tome, though, but a wonderful collection of some of his portrait work, along with discussions of his thought processes in the construction of really personal work.
There are sections on the selection of hardware, covering 35mm, medium format and large format film, as well as brief discussions of digital cameras, at least as the state of the art was at that time. Lens selection, film choices, and lighting are all discussed, and highlighted with beautiful prints. Most of these images are black and white, but there are some color works as well, such as his 2000 image of the Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, which pays direct homage to an 1889 painting of that same body by P.A. Hay.
What shines through all of these images is the connection that the photographer has managed to establish with his subjects. These are not formulaic, cookie cutter portraits, but unique and highly personal images that really do capture something special for every subject. His well-written prose adds insight into the process of portraiture, and I believe should be required reading for serious students of photographic portraiture.
My 2004 edition was published by David & Charles, and the print quality of this softback volume is outstanding. This is a book I turn to when I feel a need for inspiration, or just to read intelligent and insightful discussion of the photographic process.