Please! A Guide, how to make "pictures" (prints?)

[Morituri]

Ok, here is the deal guys. If you look out there on the web there are a million and one fantastic guides as how to develop ye ol' B&W pictures right? Great! But I can't for the life of me, find one proper "guide" as to how you now get pictures using those big machines, Durst M600 or whatever. Is this called making "prints"?

Anyway, I urge someone to make a nice proper guide from start to finish if anyone is available on "How to make Prints!", kind of like THIS guide that shows us beginners on how to develop. Equipment to use, lenses, sizes, papers etc. Yes it is a tall order I am sure someone is willing to help rest of the world

I have been looking and looking and haven't found a single nice guide except for a few very short and very spotty info from ExpertVillage on youtube.

 

[David William White]

Would you be willing to read a real book?

 

[ann]

look on Ilford's site, they have some very easy to read and understand pdf files.

 

[Morituri]

Would you be willing to read a real book?

Yes of course.

 

[MattKing]

look on Ilford's site, they have some very easy to read and understand pdf files.

+1

And because I have it bookmarked for just this purpose:

Dead Link Removed

And from the Kodak perspective:

http://wwwtr.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/aj3/aj3.pdf

A good beginner's book is a great idea as well. Here is one good choice:

http://www.amazon.com/Black-White-Photography-Basic-Manual/dp/0316373141

 

[David William White]

Those web resources are pretty good, but since we don't know how long the web will be around, it might be a good idea to get a book on the subject of printing...

I own and can vouch for:

Ansel Adams, "The Print"
David Vestal, "The Craft of Photography"
Steve Anchell, "The Variable Contrast Printing Manual"
Lambrecht & Woodhouse, "Way Beyond Monochrome"

These are in order of increasing scope and complexity, and all are in print and available from online sources.


P.S. I should say these fine authors/photographers don't need me to 'vouch' for them, what I really mean is that they cover the material on printing in a clear, straightforward way for us lesser folks.

 

[JBrunner]

If you are the sort who likes to learn visually the "Dead Link Removed" is pretty useful. OK, so self promotion aside, I have found "Way Beyond Monochrome" to be one of the most thorough and well thought out books available. Also with a little searching on the net you might find Kodak's "Basic Developing & Printing in Black and White" a very basic introduction to the darkroom.

 

[ghostcount]

+1 with "Way Beyond Monochrome (ed2)"

I'm currently consuming Bruce Barnbaum's "The Art of Photography" looks like a keeper so far.

 

[Sirius Glass]

+1 with "Way Beyond Monochrome (ed2)"

Another shameless plug for Way Beyond Monochrome (ed2)

 

[Jerevan]

I sometimes use Ansel Adams The Print and Les MacLeans Creative Black & White Photography.

 

[Steve Smith]

Those web resources are pretty good, but since we don't know how long the web will be around.......

It's not as popular as it used to be and I heard a rumour that it is going to be switched off next year!


Steve.

 

[Jerevan]

I hope Sean is aware that he needs to take up gardening or something more useful next year, then.

 

[DaveOttawa]

I suggest that you look for a hands-on course to participate in, printing is a practical craft somewhat similar to playing a musical instrument. Imagine that you went to the store & bought a trombone, then you find this on the web and read it: http://www.wikihow.com/Play-the-Trombone and start blowing. How is likely to sound versus if you took lessons from a good player & teacher...

 

[ROL]

Ok, here is the deal - "Morituri"

I have been working on this very thing (Techniques) as support for my site during the past few months. It is ROL-centric, to be sure, but is also based on traditional source material, incorporating a mix of text and supporting pix/video. Perhaps you will "find" something of use as I continue to add articles.

 

[Vincent Brady]

I would consider 'Way beyond Monochrome' too advanced for someone starting out. Furthermore photography does not start and end with 'The Zone System'. When you can produce prints readily enough, is the time time to delve into the the endless search for the 'Fine Print'.

 

[2F/2F]

I'd go to the library and/or take a class at a local community college.

 

[kb3lms]

+1 for the "The Print". Still working on reading some of the others.

 

[ann]

view this http://www.atelierfenetresurcour.com/prestation.html

it was posted in another thread, and you don't even need to know french to get the basic idea of what needs to be done. Filling in the "blanks" can be done on the other sites mentions on page one of this thread.

 

[John Koehrer]

+1 for Vestal's "craft of Photography" written in everyday English and understood even by the likes of me.

 

[MattKing]

I have a copy of Ansel Adams' "The Print" on sale in the classifieds ....

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)