Photographic Book Club

[Stephen Frizza]

I would like to know what is your favorite book on a photographic process and technique, who is it by and why do you like it?

 

[doughowk]

"The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes" by Christopher James (2nd edition). A comprehensive guide into a different way of working, with clear-cut instructions and tips that make the adventure almost painless.

 

[Mike Wilde]

Single book?

Why would I have filled a couple of book cases with photo books, wth at least 2 shelves worth of process and tecnique manuals, if there were a single favourite book?

Developing, by Jacobson is sparse on prose, but packs a ton of information.

So do old BJP annuals

 

[Ian Grant]

While in many ways I'd second Developing (18th Ed) by Jacobson, I'd place LP Clerc's "Photography Theory and Practice" edited/translated by George Brown ahead as a broader based book. The later edition (1970) edited by LA Mannheim and DA Spencer is equally as valuable a resource but was published in sections.

Ian

 

[Peter Schrager]

Bruce Barnbaum's darkroom book made me free from test strips! Keepers of Light by William Crawford and the Platinum Palladium book by Richard Sullivan et al....let's not forget the little film development book by Fred Picker...geez if everyone actually did the exercises in the book....well you go find out!!
Best, Peter

 

[wclark5179]

This is a good idea.

How about starting up a Book Club here on APUG? We could have discussions on books. Maybe even have assignments to read a certain book, then provide a summary and open for discussion.

I've got many favorites, I really enjoy exploring books on people photography. I've also recently started to read, "The Daybooks of Edward Weston."

Nice thread!

 

[mooseontheloose]

Any of Tim Rudman's books, but especially The Photographer's Master Printing Course. That book gave me more "a-ha!" moments than any other -- my printing improved substantially after reading that book, much more than what I could previously do after two semesters of university darkroom courses. But really, all of his books could compete for the title of favorite book on technique (toning, lith). He writes really well and in a way that is not intimidating for any level of photographer. I'd also vote for Christopher James' book on Alternative Processes.

I would NOT vote for Saint Ansel. I have all three of his 'bibles' -- The Camera, Negative, and Print -- and have barely gotten through more than 20 pages in total of all the books combined. I've tried more than once, but reading his books is like watching paint dry -- I'd rather be doing something else.

 

[Allen Friday]

Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting ( 9780240802756): Fil Hunter, Paul Fuqua.

This book is not a recipe type book with lighting diagrams and a bunch of "look at what I did photographs." It covers the theory of lighting with some good concrete examples and exercises, which will improve almost anyones understanding of and control of light. After reading it, all those cook book lighting guides pretty much become superfluous. Even the pure natural light photographer can benefit from its discussion on lighting angles and reflectance of subject sections.

 

[Ian Grant]

Any of Tim Rudman's books, but especially The Photographer's Master Printing Course.

Have just seen an ex-library copy today second hand, taken out just 4 times in 15 years and in very good condition.

The "Negative" Ansel Adams is well worth reading fully, the other two are weak in comparison,

Ian

 

[RalphLambrecht]

...I would NOT vote for Saint Ansel. I have all three of his 'bibles' -- The Camera, Negative, and Print -- and have barely gotten through more than 20 pages in total of all the books combined. I've tried more than once, but reading his books is like watching paint dry...

OK, then I have to do it. I learned more about photography from those three books than from any other book. My second favorite is 'Controls in B&W Photography' by Richard Henry, followed by 'Beyond the Zone System' by Phil Davis.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Ralph -- I don't doubt it. I know that many, many photographers have learned a lot from those books. I bought them because I had heard so many good recommendations about them. But honestly, they have done nothing for me and I don't think I'm the only one (although I often feel that I am). There are other books that I have read cover-to-cover and have learned a lot from -- including yours -- that I found better written, better laid out, and with better step-by-step explanations and examples than in 'The Negative'.

In any event, I was not trying to derail this thread by saying that, I just wanted to counter my favourite with my least favourite.

 

[photomem]

I just finished reading The Print. I have had the set for going on 2 years now, and just picked it up. There is alot of good information in all three.

 

[PVia]

Single book, nah...

The Tim Rudman book mentioned above, plus his toning book.
Black & White Photographic Printing Workshop by Larry Bartlett.
Darkroom 1 & 2 - Lustrum Press
The Master Printer's Workbook - Steve Macleod
Pt/Pd Printing - Arentz
Advanced Processing & Printing - Adrian Ensor

 

[Timothy]

For technique and process, I would agree with the ones mentioned, especially "The Negative" and all of Tim Rudman's books. Both of the "Cookbooks" are indispensable, as well, I think. But for learning more about how to think photographically, I would also recommend "Criticizing Photographs" by Terry Barrett. And to get the strongest photographic "seeing" medicine you ever had in your life, I would recommend "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" and actually do the exercises.

 

[markbarendt]

Hot Shoe Diaries, McNally

 

[Bill Burk]

Minor White, Zone System Manual - how long can it take to read 111 pages?
Photographic Sensitometry, Todd/Zakia - preface suggests the first five chapters, again how long can it take to get through 94 pages?
Zone VI Newsletters, Fred Picker - light reading like apug forum threads.
And at Stephen Benskin's recommendation: Beyond the Zone System, Davis - for refinements that may get you that last third of a stop accuracy.
Now go back to the Ansel Adams series and pick up the golden nuggets because he was truly helpful and generous.
---
I was listening to a cassette tape from a lecture by Richard Anderson of Golden Turtle Press and he told how he would go to the Berkeley library and carry home a stack of photography books every Wednesday. His emphasis was looking at all the pictures you can. Too bad the libraries in my little town don't have an armful of photography books combined or I would do the same thing.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Ralph -- I don't doubt it. I know that many, many photographers have learned a lot from those books. I bought them because I had heard so many good recommendations about them. But honestly, they have done nothing for me and I don't think I'm the only one (although I often feel that I am). There are other books that I have read cover-to-cover and have learned a lot from -- including yours -- that I found better written, better laid out, and with better step-by-step explanations and examples than in 'The Negative'.

In any event, I was not trying to derail this thread by saying that, I just wanted to counter my favourite with my least favourite.

Thanks for the nice words. I wouldn't recommend my book to the darkroom novice and the same is true for Ansel's books. The appreciation for the AA trilogy may depend on darkroom experience. I bought the series just when I needed it. You may already be beyond that point, but it doesn't hurt to look at them again.

 

[Shawn Rahman]

Really like this thread, and I think it can turn into quite a resource, from Beginners on up. How about we try to come to some kind of unofficial APUG consensus about what the best or most useful ones are at each stage of photographic practice? I'll start with the most useful starter book - my vote goes to Henry Horenstein's Black and White Photography. I think it is pretty simple when it comes to beginning shooting technique, but as a darkroom processing and printing primer, I think it is without peer.

So perhaps we can compile some kind of list, like:

Best Processing & Darkroom Primer for Beginners: Henry Horenstein - Black & White Photography (or other choice)
Best Advanced Processing & Darkroom Book: AA's books, or Ralph's Way Beyond Monochrome
Best Book on Toning & Litho: Tim Rudman's books ...

and so on.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Really like this thread, and I think it can turn into quite a resource, from Beginners on up. How about we try to come to some kind of unofficial APUG consensus about what the best or most useful ones are at each stage of photographic practice? I'll start with the most useful starter book - my vote goes to Henry Horenstein's Black and White Photography. I think it is pretty simple when it comes to beginning shooting technique, but as a darkroom processing and printing primer, I think it is without peer.

So perhaps we can compile some kind of list, like:

Best Processing & Darkroom Primer for Beginners: Henry Horenstein - Black & White Photography (or other choice)
Best Advanced Processing & Darkroom Book: AA's books, or Ralph's Way Beyond Monochrome
Best Book on Toning & Litho: Tim Rudman's books ...

and so on.

Shawn

I like your idea. Trying to get the 'best' books listed, however, can turn into a long contraversity. What 'best' for one can be the other customer's 'worst ever'. Nevertheless, you idea is worth pursuing. I suggest a small alteration:

Why not build an APUG virtual library of photographic books? You might need Sean's help for this, but I'm thinking a bout a listing, which follows the Dewy-decimal system, including all photographic books. It could also allow a peak into the books via approved pdf files, similar to what Amazon offers, or if you want to get fancy, simulate some iPad capabilities.

Just a thought.