Darkroom books

Reticenti · Mar 25, 2007

What's a good darkroom explanation book that can teach me the basics, along with some advanced stuff for when I get there?
Or is there a website with this information compiled?
For books, I've been looking at the Ansel Adams books, but I'm worried that they may be outdated.
thanks again

reub2000 · Mar 25, 2007

I wouldn't say that Ansel Adams books are outdated. Much of the information is advanced, and in many cases covers equipment that amateurs don't usually have.

I recommend B&W Photo-Lab Processing and Printing by Julien Busselle.

Daud · Mar 26, 2007

This is an excellent book as are his others:- 'Master Photographer's Printing Course' by Tim Rudman

Sparky · Mar 26, 2007

I just bought his 'toner' book... and I'm pretty impressed with it. JAM packed with information- though my only qualm is that there are some slightly confusing redundancies...

Rombo · Mar 26, 2007

The Darkroom Handbook
Michael Langford
Ebury Press
ISBN 0 85223 188 1

I have got one from eBay, and I think that this is one of the best books. You should look around at used books, because this one is dated 1981.

ann · Mar 26, 2007

try Larry Bartlett" Black and white Phtographic Printing workshop.

and then there is Les McLean's Creative Black and white Photography, or
Henry H orenstein Black and White Photography a Basic Manual.

haris · Mar 26, 2007

Having read several book about darkroom work, I would really like to wach some video about same subject. Either I am too clumsy, or darkroom work is really that complicated. I can't get rid of thoughts there must be more simple way. Not easier, or less time demanding, but more simple...

Well, no, I am clumsy, that is it

I have all three Busselle's books, and there is lot of repeating. Content of all three books could be put into one with maybe only 1/4 or 1/3 more pages than one of his books have. But, then, there will be less money for publisher (or author)

Seriously, I would really like to see on video how splitgrade printing, or multiple dodging and burning on one print is done, especially prints with complicated and/or small parts to be dodged/burned, especially if there is several dodge/burn needs on one print... In books, it is explained good, but when I do it practically, it is very dificult. I never had oportunity to learn with someone, I never had anyone to show me. Everything was reading, try/error. Or, as I said I am clumsy.

Mark_S · Mar 26, 2007

My wife teaches a basic B&W class, mostly to teens. The text that she likes to use the most is Horensteins book - I think that it is 'Basic Black & White Photography', and then he has a follow on titled 'Beyond Basic Black & White'.

In addition, Ilford have some good intro stuff on their web site - one which goes over developing your first film, and one on making your first print.

I wouldn't worry that the Adams books would be outdated, but reading 'the negative' in order to learn the basics is a bit like reading an advanced accounting text in order to figure out how to balance your checkbook.

Monophoto · Mar 26, 2007

The Ansel Adams books are hard to read and understand.

My recommendation would be for "The Art of Black and White Enlarging" by David Vestal. It's out of print but available in many used book stores. Vestal's writing style is simple and straightforward, and his approach to photography is basic common sense.

Mike Té · Mar 26, 2007

Advice from another beginner...

For a newbie, Adams writings are too dry and technical. Tim Rudman's book is superb and visually beautiful, but would be more of a "next-step" book, to be used soon after the basics are under control (buy it ASAP anyway). I recommend Horenstein and Langford as well. Also, John Hedgecoe has a couple of beginner books that are very clear and well illustrated, covering all the basics in detail. This last book has been helpful to 2 other friends who've taken the leap into the darkroom.

Once you get the darkroom running and techniques and your ergonomics start to feel normal, you'll want to read Adams, Vestal, Anchell..... (the list of "next-step" books is endless)

Cheers

DaveOttawa · Mar 26, 2007

I teach B&W photo and recommend the following as being good beginner/intermediate, practical how to manuals on the subject.
The Ilford site has some good info as well as another poster mentioned.

Mastering Black-and-White Photography From Camera to Darkroom
by Bernard J Suess. (Allworth Press)
Excellent basic how-to book on black & white photography.

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

Black And White Photography
by Henry Horenstein (Little Brown And Company)
Also an excellent basic how-to book on black & white photography.

Wayne · Mar 26, 2007

I think Horenstein is a good way to go for a beginner.

Wayne

RalphLambrecht · Mar 26, 2007

Reticenti said:
What's a good darkroom explanation book that can teach me the basics, along with some advanced stuff for when I get there?
Or is there a website with this information compiled?
For books, I've been looking at the Ansel Adams books, but I'm worried that they may be outdated.
thanks again

Get all three of them. They are not outdated!

Michel Hardy-Vallée · Mar 26, 2007

Roger Hicks's website has plenty of fun tutorials to figure out basics in darkroom work.

(Now Roger, where's my cut? )

Roger Hicks · Mar 26, 2007

mhv said:
Roger Hicks's website has plenty of fun tutorials to figure out basics in darkroom work.

(Now Roger, where's my cut? )

Dear Michel,

Well, if I give you 10% of my profit for the first year I've had subscribers, costing my time at a nominal $10 per hour -- you owe me money!

I have better hopes for the future. And of course there's always the Darkroom Basics book. Seriously, thanks for the plug.

Cheers,

R.

jim appleyard · Mar 26, 2007

Yes, Roger and Frances have a great site. http://www.rogerandfrances.com/

I highly recommend a visit.

jim appleyard · Mar 26, 2007

Lots of good info here as well:http://www.unblinkingeye.com/index.html

Michel Hardy-Vallée · Mar 26, 2007

Roger,

I am always slightly amused when you advertise your site because I know it's a good resource (I've read the free modules myself and like them a lot), but at the same time I can't help imagining you as a travelling salesman in the Far West of the Internet knocking patiently at each door to offer fine fabric for the lady and a cure for the husband's aching back. This time I thought I'd walk the extra mile for you

And in this global market age, we're all a bit of a travelling salesman, self-reliant entrepreneurs.

m. dowdall · Mar 27, 2007

When I teach B&W darkroom at the camera club I go to, this is the site I use for reference. It goes from the basics to a little more advanced.

http://www3.telus.net/drkrm/

Michael

Mike Wilde · Mar 27, 2007

Old but relevant still - Vestals Book

The Craft of Photography by David Vestal, circa 1973, in my small town public library self taught me the beginnings of my photography.

I found a second edition of it in a thrift store last year, and snapped it up, for a whole $3. It still has value to read it. It just makes no mention of rapid fixers. Otherwise it still teaches the basics.

rusty71 · Mar 27, 2007

Lots of very good recommendations. Just wanted to add a book someone recommended to me many years ago and I still have it. Monochrome Darkroom Practice by Jack H Coote. Published by Focal Press and Ilford.
It is out of print, but you can find it used in many places.
I wonder if Mr Hoote is still around? He used to work at Ilford. Perhaps Simon has some info to share. I realize he'd be quite old by now.

Sparky · Mar 28, 2007

Yes - Coote. That was one of my staples. I missed it so much that I had to find another one and buy it last year. Kinda ilford-oriented (or at least english, wasn't it?)

rusty71 · Mar 28, 2007

Sparky said:
Yes - Coote. That was one of my staples. I missed it so much that I had to find another one and buy it last year. Kinda ilford-oriented (or at least english, wasn't it?)

it was Ilford oriented, but certainly all of the info on printing and developing are applicable to any monochrome materials. I did a search in amazon for the book, and apparently Hoote died during the 1989 revision. So that was the last one out. My hardcover is from 1989.
Last week I picked up a nifty little pocket book by John Hedgecoe called "John Hedgcoe;s Darkroom Guide". I like the sections on Airbrush re-touching! Might just try that for old time's sake.

hal9000 · Mar 28, 2007

Way Beyond Monochrome

I learned a lot from Ralph Lambrecht (APUG member!) and Chris Woodhouse's book 'Way Beyond Monochrome'. There are lots of advanced techniques like bleaching and masks, helpful tips on making your own darkroom helper devices (I made the test printer and love it!) and some very interesting case studies describing how the authors arrived at final prints from a variety of negatives. Also a nice film testing section with a range of methods from very simple to a good synopsis of BTZS techniques.

Reticenti · Mar 29, 2007

How much help would AA's book, "The Making of 40 Prints" be to my new darkroom technique?

Darkroom books

Reticenti

reub2000

Daud

Sparky

Rombo

ann

haris

Mark_S

Monophoto

Mike Té

DaveOttawa

Wayne

RalphLambrecht

Michel Hardy-Vallée

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Roger Hicks

jim appleyard

jim appleyard

Michel Hardy-Vallée

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m. dowdall

Mike Wilde

rusty71

Sparky

rusty71

hal9000

Reticenti

Darkroom books

haris

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