Ian Grant's book on Photographic Formulae

albada · Aug 15, 2014

I ran across this ad for "The Complete Book of Photographic Formulae", by Ian Grant:

http://www.lostlabours.co.uk/photography/formulae/formulae.htm

The ad states that details will be added "in a few weeks", but there's no date on the page, so I don't know if this project was abandoned. Also, I would have expected to see some mention of it on apug at least. But my searches turn up nothing about this book, with no mention even on apug. Does anyone know anything about this book? Ian, are you reading this (I hope)?

Ian, if you are still working on this, I can tell you all about self-publishing. I just went through the process with this book:

http://www.amazon.com/The-IDAR-Method-Software-Design/dp/149614614X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408137407

By experience, I know that self-publishing is easy and cheap, so I encourage you to do it.

Mark Overton

Bob Carnie · Aug 15, 2014

If Ian puts out a book I want to buy it.

RalphLambrecht · Aug 15, 2014

albada said:
I ran across this ad for "The Complete Book of Photographic Formulae", by Ian Grant:

http://www.lostlabours.co.uk/photography/formulae/formulae.htm
The ad states that details will be added "in a few weeks", but there's no date on the page, so I don't know if this project was abandoned. Also, I would have expected to see some mention of it on apug at least. But my searches turn up nothing about this book, with no mention even on apug. Does anyone know anything about this book? Ian, are you reading this (I hope)?

Ian, if you are still working on this, I can tell you all about self-publishing. I just went through the process with this book:

http://www.amazon.com/The-IDAR-Method-Software-Design/dp/149614614X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408137407
By experience, I know that self-publishing is easy and cheap, so I encourage you to do it.

Mark Overton

I'm sure it will be a great resource but how does it compare to the Darkroom cookbooks?

rorye · Aug 15, 2014

Bob Carnie said:
If Ian puts out a book I want to buy it.

Me too

eclarke · Aug 17, 2014

Ditto

pdeeh · Aug 17, 2014

I asked Ian about progress a few months ago in a thread here at APUG (that I now can't find )
As I remember he said it was proving more complicated than expected and wasn't going to appear very soon.

Let's hope he's around and notices this thread so he can put us straight about it personally.

Ian Grant · Aug 17, 2014

I began collecting formulae in the 1970's while working as a Photo-chemist, I have just over half in a Database now. The project has stalled slightly as I had to return to the UK to look after my mother who had vascular dementia, it was a tough 3 years but at least I kept her in her own home until she passed away late January.

Since then I've moved to a new house which needs extensive work, about half is done, plus I've had to build a new darkroom. On top of that I have to get my mothers house spruced up for sale by early September.

So progress has been slow on the book project which has a substantial number of formulae which have all been cross-checked with prime sources to ensure they are correct. One problem is that most US 3rd party books of formulae contain a huge number of errors, the vast majority made by the Photo Lab Index which is without a doubt the most unreliable source ever printed. Steve Anchell's 3rd ed Darkroom Cookbook is the first US book cross-checked against original source, it's an excellent publication.

I aim to go a significant step further in terms of the number and variety of formulae, much more more comprehensive. I constantly add to the work it's just the pace that changed.

Ian

Mainecoonmaniac · Aug 17, 2014

Me too!

Bob Carnie said:
If Ian puts out a book I want to buy it.

He turned me on to XTOL replenished. Never regretted it.

David A. Goldfarb · Aug 17, 2014

Keep going Ian! I'm looking forward to reading it.

john_s · Aug 17, 2014

Ian Grant said:
........ One problem is that most US 3rd party books of formulae contain a huge number of errors, the vast majority made by the Photo Lab Index which is without a doubt the most unreliable source ever printed.......

Ian

In the early 1970s I was excited when I was able to buy a copy of the Photo Lab Index which was in a ring binder, the idea presumably being to have updates issued. In those days we relied on books as there were only books and manufacturers' instructions. On the way home in the train (20minute trip) I found several glaring errors: a serious disappointment. It was never much use really.

Ian Grant · Aug 18, 2014

Actually thanks for the encouragement from this thread I'll try and get back on course and make a more planned effort to bring it to fruition.

I need to do a lot of work on the Fixers, Toners, Bleaches, Intensifiers etc. I haven't added Toners & Bleaches to my Database yet and it's time consuming.

It's also important to include (or note) some variations of formula and be precise as to whether a formula is Agfa (Germany) or Agfa Ansco (GAF) as this is a major area where formulae get muddled. Then there are Kodak Ltd (Harrow, UK) formulae published and sold in Europe that were never in Eastman Kodak US publications or available for sale in the US. So there's a lot of work.

Ian

john_s · Aug 18, 2014

I have found that the most useful books have not only the formulas but opinions on when they are best used. Why choose one formula over another? The Film Developing Cookbook of Anchell and Troop and the Darkroom Cookbook by Anchell are useful because of the background to making choices. Not that everyone agrees with everything they suggest! I suppose therein lies the problem for the author.

titrisol · Feb 10, 2023

Ian Grant said:
I began collecting formulae in the 1970's while working as a Photo-chemist, I have just over half in a Database now. The project has stalled slightly as I had to return to the UK to look after my mother who had vascular dementia, it was a tough 3 years but at least I kept her in her own home until she passed away late January.

Since then I've moved to a new house which needs extensive work, about half is done, plus I've had to build a new darkroom. On top of that I have to get my mothers house spruced up for sale by early September.

So progress has been slow on the book project which has a substantial number of formulae which have all been cross-checked with prime sources to ensure they are correct. One problem is that most US 3rd party books of formulae contain a huge number of errors, the vast majority made by the Photo Lab Index which is without a doubt the most unreliable source ever printed. Steve Anchell's 3rd ed Darkroom Cookbook is the first US book cross-checked against original source, it's an excellent publication.

I aim to go a significant step further in terms of the number and variety of formulae, much more more comprehensive. I constantly add to the work it's just the pace that changed.

Ian

Not to be hasty, but have you made any progress?

Ian Grant · Feb 11, 2023

titrisol said:
Not to be hasty, but have you made any progress?

Yes, significantly, but then life got in the way, although it's constantly but slowly updated. My mother was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in 2010 and my wife and I ended up as full time carers for three years. I guess that's when Mark started this thread.

Just after that my wife was diagnosed with heart failure maybe 9 months after my mother passed away. Luckily I live in a country where the health service stepped up and were brilliant, first a Pacemaker and then specialist nurse care controlling her medication, my wife had another seven years, the average is two after a heart failure diagnosis. However, the last 18 months were difficult, but that;s on the past now.

I'm currently involved in a slightly different project, so it will be next year before I can really start to pull things together.

Ian

RalphLambrecht · Feb 11, 2023

albada said:
I ran across this ad for "The Complete Book of Photographic Formulae", by Ian Grant:

http://www.lostlabours.co.uk/photography/formulae/formulae.htm
The ad states that details will be added "in a few weeks", but there's no date on the page, so I don't know if this project was abandoned. Also, I would have expected to see some mention of it on APUG at least. But my searches turn up nothing about this book, with no mention even on APUG. Does anyone know anything about this book? Ian, are you reading this (I hope)?

Ian, if you are still working on this, I can tell you all about self-publishing. I just went through the process with this book:

By experience, I know that self-publishing is easy and cheap, so I encourage you to do it.

Mark Overton

+49(0)2171/705-8365 us all about self-publishing

Bill Burk · Feb 11, 2023

I’ve been looking forward to news on your book most importantly because it comes with updates on your life. I’m sorry for your loss. It’s good to hear you have projects in the works.

titrisol · Feb 11, 2023

Ian Grant said:
Yes, significantly, but then life got in the way, although it's constantly but slowly updated. My mother was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in 2010 and my wife and I ended up as full time carers for three years. I guess that's when Mark started this thread.

Just after that my wife was diagnosed with heart failure maybe 9 months after my mother passed away. Luckily I live in a country where the health service stepped up and were brilliant, first a Pacemaker and then specialist nurse care controlling her medication, my wife had another seven years, the average is two after a heart failure diagnosis. However, the last 18 months were difficult, but that;s on the past now.

I'm currently involved in a slightly different project, so it will be next year before I can really start to pull things together.

Ian

Sorry for your losses, thanks for replying

relistan · Feb 12, 2023

Ian Grant said:
Yes, significantly, but then life got in the way, although it's constantly but slowly updated. My mother was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in 2010 and my wife and I ended up as full time carers for three years. I guess that's when Mark started this thread.

Just after that my wife was diagnosed with heart failure maybe 9 months after my mother passed away. Luckily I live in a country where the health service stepped up and were brilliant, first a Pacemaker and then specialist nurse care controlling her medication, my wife had another seven years, the average is two after a heart failure diagnosis. However, the last 18 months were difficult, but that;s on the past now.

I'm currently involved in a slightly different project, so it will be next year before I can really start to pull things together.

Ian

Really to hear that, Ian. Best wishes

John Wiegerink · Feb 12, 2023

Ian Grant said:
Yes, significantly, but then life got in the way, although it's constantly but slowly updated. My mother was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in 2010 and my wife and I ended up as full time carers for three years. I guess that's when Mark started this thread.

Just after that my wife was diagnosed with heart failure maybe 9 months after my mother passed away. Luckily I live in a country where the health service stepped up and were brilliant, first a Pacemaker and then specialist nurse care controlling her medication, my wife had another seven years, the average is two after a heart failure diagnosis. However, the last 18 months were difficult, but that;s on the past now.

I'm currently involved in a slightly different project, so it will be next year before I can really start to pull things together.

Ian

Ian,
So sorry! I feel a little of your pain. My wife and I were just starting to make our cottage our permanent home when my 90yr old mother became ill. She passed a couple of years ago and we just finished cleaning out the house that had "stuff" from my grandfather, father, and mother. What a job, but it's done and now for sale. Now it's time to get our other home for sale. My darkroom has been in limbo until this all gets straightened out. Life does get in the way, but that's life, I guess. I will wait very patiently for your work. I enjoy your post here as I always learn something I thought I already knew, but was wrong.

Ian Grant's book on Photographic Formulae

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