Any book recommendations for learning developer fundamentals?

[TheTrailTog]

I'm thinking it's time I really start to learn how different types of developers work and what's best for achieving different characteristics. Anyone have any recommendations for books to start my edumacation?

 

[Ian Grant]

Developing, Kurt Jacobson 18th Edition, Focal Press.

Ian

 

[TheTrailTog]

Thanks Ian, just ordered a copy

 

[Ian Grant]

It's worth buying his next book Enlarging, similar late edition 20-23.

Kurt (Curt) Jacobson had fled the Nazis and settled in the UK, the firts editions of Developing & Enlraging came out early in WWII and became the 2 most important books for many years with over 20 editions and many reprints as well as being published in many other languages.

Jacobson set up Pavelle a company making colour papers and processors in Epsom, Surrey. The company was bought by Durst and became Durst UK continuing to make machinery sold under the Durst brand name. His sone so-authored late editions of Enlarging and is a Professor in the field of Photography/Imaging Science.

Ian

 

[TheTrailTog]

Thanks again Ian. Ordered that as well. Looks like I'll have some good bedtime reading

 

[Ian Grant]

When you've finished them get Steve anchell's "Darkroom Cookbook" 3rd Edition,

Ian

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Grant Haist, Modern Photographic Processing: v. 1, Wiley, 1979
Glafkides, Photographic Chemistry, Fountain Press (London: 1958)
L F A Mason, Photographic Processing Chemistry, Focal Press 1975

 

[TheTrailTog]

Thanks again Ian. It has been added to a list for down the road

Thanks Gerald. I'll keep and eye out for those as well

 

[David Allen]

I'm thinking it's time I really start to learn how different types of developers work and what's best for achieving different characteristics. Anyone have any recommendations for books to start my edumacation?

My simplistic (but very important) answer is that you are asking the wrong question. If you wish to become the most informed person on the planet about the relative qualities of differing films with differing developers then you are on the right track but be prepared to spend your whole life doing this - and best of luck because there is always a new combination to try.

In my experience, the correct question is 'how did photographer X work in a way that I like'. You can then simply call on the enormous reserve of knowledge on this site to find what you need.

For example, when I am asked by a new student what they should do technically, I ask them who do they (as starting point) wish to emulate. If the answer is Ansel Adams then the teaching route is clear. If they want to make images like Daido Moriyama or Anders Petersen then there is another clear route for technical questions about ways of working. If they ask me about how to make images like Henri Cartier-Bresson or André Kertész or how someone uses flash intelligently like Carl de Keyzer then there is another route to achieving the results that you want to achieve.

So back to the OP's question, you need to start with the look that suits the images that you wish to make - then ask us here how to achieve this look.

Best,

David.
www.dsallen.de

 

[TheTrailTog]

Thank you very much David for your thoughtful input. My intention is by no means to try every combination of film and developer out there, nor is there any photographer or look in particular that I wish to emulate. Until now I have opted for the popular/versatile combinations and have been happy with the results. I feel like I've got a solid understanding of the fundamentals and now that I have my own house with a permanent darkroom, it's time to take things to the next level and learn more of the whats and whys of the whole process. I'm not necessarily looking to improve my process so much as my understanding of it.

 

[Alan Johnson]

I started with "The Film Developing Cookbook" by Steve Anchell and the photochemist Bill Troop (1998), now also on Kindle.
Since then are some new developers, among others the Pyro developers of Sandy King and Jay DeFehr (Search Sandy King Pyrocat and Jay Defehr developer blogspot).
Also, Ascorbate developers by Ryuji Suzuki are occasionally seen:
http://web.archive.org/web/20081122010527/http://silvergrain.com/labs/Special:AllPages

 

[bobwysiwyg]

now also on Kindle.

I couldn't find a reference to a Kindle addition. :confused:

 

[Alan Johnson]

Sorry,my mistake, it's not on Kindle.Amazon has extracts of some parts:
http://www.amazon.com/Film-Developi...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=0240802772