Advanced darkroom books

Ondrej1 · Sep 17, 2007

It's time for me for some amazon.com book shopping and I want to add some advanced darkroom book(s) to other items. Last time I bought Adams' trilogy, which is wonderful (although I use mainly Print part) and Anchell's The Variable Contrast Printing Manual, which is not exactly what I was looking for (too much reference, too few samples) but still good purchase.

I am not interested in reference type of books, more in theory plus lot of samples books. After some searching I put on my wish list following:

Carson Graves: The Elements of Black and White Printing, Second Edition
Bernhard Suess: Mastering Black-and-White Photography: From Camera to Darkroom
Ansel Adams: Examples: The Making of 40 Photographs

Any recommendations, warnings, suggestions of entirely different books...
will be much appreciated

Ole · Sep 17, 2007

Tim Rudman's books are worth a read - both for information and inspiration.

naaldvoerder · Sep 17, 2007

Why beyond monochrome by Woodhouse and Lambrecht

Black Dog · Sep 17, 2007

John Blakemore's Black & White Photography Workshop
Edge of Darkness-Barry Thornton
Darkroom 1 and 2- published by Lustrum Press in the 70s but you should be able to turn up a copy on the net.

Dan Henderson · Sep 17, 2007

Our own Les McLean's "Creative Black and White Photography."

HenrikB · Sep 17, 2007

If I were to choose one book, I'd go with Tim Rudmans rather old "Master Printing Course", a gem with practical information which should be a perfect followup on your Adams' reading. It really inspires you to experiment.

For alternative processes, try Jill Enfields "Photo Imaging".

jbj · Sep 17, 2007

Also Ansel Adams' :

"The Negative" and "The Print" will both complement "The Making of 40 Photos"

Mark Fisher · Sep 17, 2007

My two favorites are Bruce Barnbaum, Art of Photography (out of print) and Tim Rudman's Master Photography book. For examples, I'd look at Larry Bartlett's Black and White: Photographic Printing Workshop.......this is a pretty amazing book if you are learning to make an expressive print. All three of these books are listed on amazon (although Bruce Barnbaum's book isn't cheap used!)

johnnywalker · Sep 18, 2007

The ones I have are (in no particular order):

John Blakemore's Black & White Photography Workshop
Tim Rudman's Master Printing Course
Les McLean's Creative Black and White Photography
Barry Thornton's Edge of Darkness

All I can say so far is that they all are well written and informative. I hope that soon I will find the time to practice and learn what they are teaching.

Soeren · Sep 18, 2007

naaldvoerder said:
Why beyond monochrome by Woodhouse and Lambrecht

You do mean "Way beyond................" right?
Kind regards
Søren

doughowk · Sep 18, 2007

You can get Bruce Barnbaum's latest edition of Art of Photography Dead Link Removed
Would also recommend Eddie Ephraums Creative Elements: Darkroom Techniques for Landscape Photography.

Peter Schrager · Sep 18, 2007

Barnbaum Book

This is the book along with the info on Michael Smith's website that changed my darkroom work forever. Buy it!!
Best, Peter

Roger Hicks · Sep 18, 2007

johnnywalker said:
I hope that soon I will find the time to practice and learn what they are teaching.

That's the essential bit.

DaveOttawa · Sep 18, 2007

Ondrej1 said:
[*]Bernhard Suess: Mastering Black-and-White Photography: From Camera to Darkroom

The Suess book you mention is not what most readers would call an advanced book, more an introduction, IMHO one of the two best ones to buy at that level as a practial hands-on book.

The more advanced book from Suess is:

Creative Black-and-White Photography
by Bernard J Suess. (Allworth Press)
Follows on from Mastering Black-and-White Photography with more advanced techniques.

I don't think anyone mentioned Post Exposure by Ctein, I found that explained quite a few things very well for me.

In terms of moving your photography along don't forget attending a good workshop and viewing exhibitions, I think there is much truth in this quotation (which presumably you'd agree or you wouldn't be posting here!):

"Your own photography is never enough. Every photographer who has lasted has depended on other peoples pictures too photographs that may be public or private, serious or funny, but that carry with them a reminder of community."

Robert Adams in Why People Photograph

Black Dog · Sep 18, 2007

Another essential book (along with his earlier 'Beauty in Photography').

resummerfield · Sep 18, 2007

The one book that has made the most difference in my work is "Way Beyond Monochrome" by Woodhouse and Lambrecht

Ondrej1 · Sep 18, 2007

Thank to all who responded, it is wonderful to have APUG here.

Way Beyond Monochrome,
Edge of Darkness, and The Photographer's Master Printing Course were on my list but unfortunately they are now unavailable at amazon.com, i will try to find them elsewhere.

Thank you for poining out John Blakemores Black & White Photography Workshop, it seems this is what I was looking for. Well I like the title picture anyway, so most likely I will buy this one as well.

As for Barnbaum´s Art of Photography, I will try to contact the author via his website, if he can send it across the pond. Ctein´s book is on my watch list as well.

Shypii90 · Sep 18, 2007

I have this great darkroom book but I don't know if it's Advanced enough for your needs:

"The Essential Darkroom Book" by Grill & Scanlon (published 1983 though)

Black Dog · Sep 18, 2007

The John Blakemore is the book to go for if you only get one-IMO it's a future classic! Keep a lookout for the others in 2nd hand bookshops.

Advanced darkroom books

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