The Art of the SNL Portrait

Who is this book for?

• Dedicated fans of Saturday Night Live who appreciate the show's visual history.
• Photography enthusiasts interested in creative portrait techniques and celebrity photography.
• Pop culture aficionados who enjoy behind-the-scenes glimpses of television production.
• Collectors of coffee table books featuring unique and artistic imagery.
• People who appreciate the intersection of comedy and visual arts.

Who is unlikely to appreciate this book?

• Readers expecting an in-depth, comprehensive history of SNL's visual elements.
• Those who prefer books with extensive written content over predominantly visual works.
• Individuals sensitive to design flaws, such as images obscured by book binding.
• People looking for a complete archive of SNL bumper photos from the show's entire run.
• Budget-conscious consumers who may find the price point too high for a primarily visual book.

Things online reviewers enjoyed about this book

• Brilliant collection of SNL's iconic 'bumper' photos
• Showcases Mary Ellen Matthews' exceptional photography skills
• Captures the spirit and humor of Saturday Night Live
• Features over 200 color portraits and behind-the-scenes photographs
• Includes creative and often hilarious celebrity portraits
• Offers insights into the weekly production process of SNL
• Contains a foreword by SNL founder Lorne Michaels
• Presents a unique blend of comedy and artistic photography
• Provides a nostalgic journey for long-time SNL fans
• Includes some behind-the-scenes explanations and comments from celebrities

Things people didn't like as much about this book

• Some portraits spread across two pages, obscuring faces in the book's crease
• Lack of immediate labeling for each photograph (names are in the back index)
• Inconsistent selection of portraits, with some hosts featured multiple times and others absent
• Limited behind-the-scenes information and stories
• Some readers found the design and layout choices problematic
• Not a comprehensive archive of all SNL bumper photos
• Some portraits described as basic or lacking depth
• Repetitive details about the production process
• Interviews with celebrities sometimes described as bland or uninteresting
• Price point considered high by some for the content provided