John Blakemore's "Black and White Photography Workshop"....

jovo · Jan 10, 2006

What a terrific book! I just bought a copy last week from Borders with a gift certificate I'd received at Christmas. What makes this book special for me is that it goes waaaay beyond craft issues of camera, film and printing technique (though it treats these with exceptional clarity and skill) and includes some very personal insights into ways of seeing and developing one's seeing. There is extensive writing about Mr. Blakemore's evolution in his approach to tonality and to his development of series and sequences. I've only just begun to absorb all that's there, but I'm really looking forward to doing so.

It's interesting that the several Brit author's whose books I have treat aesthetic concerns very thoroughly and, often, very personally. The only American one to do so to a similar degree is Bruce Barnbaum (there may be others but I haven't seen them.) It's also nice to see that even in 2005 in the midst of the digital tsunami a really comprehensive book has been writtten about traditional photography. Hats' off to Mr. Blakemore for an excellent contribution to the literature.

Les McLean · Jan 10, 2006

John, I'm pleased that you enjoyed John Blakemore's book, he is in my opinion, one of the finest teachers I have ever worked with, and in the art of fine black and white printing I rate only Paul Caponigro higher. I am privileged to count him as a very close friend who has always been there to offer guidance and advice when it is most needed. If you can ever attend a workshop given by John I'm sure that you will not be disappointed for his teaching is better when delivered in person than it is in a truly excellent book.

roteague · Jan 10, 2006

Thanks for the feedback on this book. I've considered buying it myself, but always hesitated - not because the book doesn't look good, but because I rarely do B&W. I may reconsider.

Leon · Jan 10, 2006

Robert - dont hesitate ... get it! I got it in the summer and had read most of it within 24 hours of buying it. I've read it again about 10 times and it never fails to hold my interest and offer something new.

bobbysandstrom · Jan 10, 2006

Thanks for the tip. I just ordered it from amazon. Look forward to reading it.

rrankin · Jan 10, 2006

Does anyone have a URL to find .... actual WORKSHOPS by John Blakemore? All I can seem to find are links to the book. I'd like to see what he offers other than the book. If Les says he's one of the best, then I'd like to see if I can attend one of his workshops.

Thanks,
Richard

Les McLean · Jan 11, 2006

Richard, John does not have a website nor does he organise his own workshops, he is frequently asked by groups and organisations in the UK to do workshops. If you are interested I can have a word with him to see where he will be teaching in the coming year, however I think it will only be in the UK for I'm pretty certain that has never done a workshop in the US. Now there's a challenge, get him to cross the pond!

mono · Jan 11, 2006

I got John`s book, too.
Although I like Les` book best, I find it more practical, much more hints for the "daily printer".

John`s a bit more "philosophical", but that is personal of course!

The best way is to have both ,-))

Bill Mitchell · Jan 11, 2006

jovo said:
What a terrific book! Hats' off to Mr. Blakemore for an excellent contribution to the literature.

Interesting observation. John Blakemore has always been one of my favorite landscape photographers (I was lucky enough to purchase many prints from him while the price was still quite reasonable), but I found this book to be virtually UNREADBLE. Guess I'll go back and give it another try. I do note that there was a previous thread ere about it, generally supporting my opinion.

jovo · Jan 11, 2006

Bill Mitchell said:
but I found this book to be virtually UNREADBLE. Guess I'll go back and give it another try.

I think it depends on how you choose to 'read' this book as much as anything. There is narrative, annecdote, prescription, and philosophising. It's certainly not just a 'how to' book, but also a 'why to', a 'here's another way' and even 'whether to' book. If you're looking for a linear, cookbook manual, this isn't it. If you're looking for a monograph, it's not that either.
It's more like a visit with a very interesting person who has a lot to share. That may be a lot harder to 'read' than to experience face to face. But, it works for me.

mikeg · Jan 11, 2006

I must admit I nearly asked for it at Christmas and was put off by the other thread. Is his style of writing like Barry Thornton's in Edge of Darkness? If so, I'll have to take another look at it.

Mike

mono · Jan 11, 2006

To me it`s quite similar.

gwatson · Jan 11, 2006

I'm glad to see a good thread on this book. It's not like a normal 'workshop' book - it explains how he came to his conclusions, rather than just what those conclusions are. I think that some people find it a hard read because it is not an instruction manual - if I wanted help on a particular issue, I wouldn't go to this book: it's rather a book on methodology. I have found it invaluable in regards to the idea of previsualisation, especially for my still life stuff, and I don't think I would be half the photographer/printer I am (and I'm still not much of one) without this book (and being a shameless self-publicist, the Portfolio section of January's B+W Photography (UK) shows some of these prints).

I think it's an excellent book to keep on your coffee table and pick up in the occasional quite moment you may have.

Les: I, too, would be very interested to hear of any up-and-coming workshops he will be doing in the UK. And any of yours, come to that.

Geoff

Leon · Jan 12, 2006

I found that the book inspired me rather than instructed me. Also, it is much more to-the-point than Barry Thornton's books IMO - BT's could tell their tales in much simpler way, that's not to say I didnt enjoy reading them, and I did learn a lot from them, but John Blakemore's is much better I think.

mikeg · Jan 12, 2006

Thanks Geoff and Leon,

Looks like I should have kept it on my Christmas list after all! It sounds just the kind of book I like.

By the way Geoff, an excellent portfolio in B&W this month, well done. Although if you want to truly follow Blakemore then those tulips should have been dead!

Mike

gwatson · Jan 13, 2006

They are now, Mike ;-)

jerry lebens · Jan 17, 2006

I'd like to echo Les. John is without doubt one of the finest Photographers and Photography Teachers Britain has ever produced. It was seeing him give a seminar to a group of photography students (plus me) that persuaded me to drop what I was then studying and to take up photography, in Sheffield in 1977.

Several generations of British photographers owe a great debt to John's pioneering work although not all may actually realise this.

Jerry

John Blakemore's "Black and White Photography Workshop"....

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