Ansel Adams' books

I would like to buy Ansel Adams' books The Camera, The Negative, and The Print. As they are not available in bookshops here (I can only order them), I don't have a chance to go and leaf through them, and have a look at what's the content. I want something that is rich on information and advanced enough to come back to it repeatedly; not a book which I read once and then put on the shelf. Maybe it's daring to even think of Adams' books this way but they are quite expensive and I want to make a right investment.

Could you please give me any references on them? Thanks.

Ahoj Kate,
That's an accurate description of Adams' books. They are extremely detailed in information and illustrate many points with good reproductions of photographs. Adams' writing style can be somewhat difficult. The editions written in the 1960s (5 volumes) are rather difficult to read, but the 1980s editions (3 volumes, which is what you seem to be looking at) are much better edited.

I don't know how much you will have to pay, but they were very worthwhile to me. I've gone back to them for 20-years now. Although, I must say, at the time I bought them there was no Internet and no APUG. The Adams books and Fred Picker's newsletter were just about the only serious sources of information for B&W and large format. A lot of what's in the Adams books is online now, but the books are more concise and organized, and are probably still worthwhile.
juan

Check out the used book stores in your area, maybe you can find them there at a reduced price.

I have The Camera, The Negative, and a latter tomb which I can't remember the name but it's volume 1. This book is larger than the rest and seems to cover a lot of the same stuff but in a more concise way. The writing is much better too.

They are worth buying and I refer to them on a regular basis.

The last edition of his three books Camera, Negative and Print are relatively old. I believe the final edition was about the time of his death. There is also a two volume series that incorproates most of the earlier information and adds info on digital and other processes. A second author editied it and included the updated info.


If you want the original three volume set but of the latest edition, they show up in used bookstores quite frequently. If you are interested in a used set, I can check the local used bookstores. Three of them have pretty extensive photography sections. Probably about $30 US for the set. If I find a set I could send them to you if we can figure out how to exchange the funds.

All of the books are available new at Amazon.com for about $15. each.

ThomHarrop is right, I bought the paper backs to keep for reference and put the older hardbacks I have away. Info may be old, but still good reference - I would also recommend, the Photographers Master Printing Course by Tim Rudman, great reference (if interested in toning his Photographer's Toning Book is also outstanding).

May I second photomc’s recommendation of Tim’s book. They are outstanding. His Master Printing Course is my printing Bible. His toning and Lith printing books are also about the best value reference books available. Every darkroom should have them.

One of my favorites has been "Perfect Exposure" by Roger Hicks and Frances Schultz. A wonderful book that brings a good deal of common sense into photography and darkroom. Can be a bit on the technical side but for information and clearing up concepts and ideas...a delightful and handy reference book.

Another new and excellent book is "Way Beyond Monochrome" by Ralph W. Lambrecht and Chris Woodhouse which I have been referring back to frequently and have been enjoying now for about six months.

I also have the Ansel Adams's series and can recommend The Negative and The Print as the best of the three books.

Kind Regards,

Adams 3 volume set can often be found on eBay, including England as being more convenient for you. The 2 vol set mentioned earlier is by John Schaeffer the Ansel Adams Guide: Basic Techniques of Photography. I'm currently reading Tim Rudman's Photographers Toning Book as well as re-reading Barry Thornton's Edge of Darkness, both excellent guides. Second the above opinion of Way Beyond Monochrome.

His is one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3576987569&category=29284

Hey guys,

thank you very much for your replies and advice! Purchasing via Internet is still a bit of a problem because Slovakia is not eligible to use PayPals services and - may it sound very conservative - I am hesitant to send my credit card number over the Internet.

There are some great people here who are willing to help me by sending the books by traditional mail and I would like to express my deepest thanks to them.

But all of you gave me a lot of inspiration and made me want also the other books that you recommended . I must start saving for a vacation destination where I can buy them .

Thank you all.
Best regards.

I stumbled into the Barnes and Noble website and they have all 3 volumes listed for $18 US each. I have the older editions as well as the Ansel Adams Guide To Photography and reread and enjoy them all. I used "The Camera" for instructions to get started in LF as well as for more advanced uses.