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Good books on darkroom technique ?
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Hi,
Can anyone recommend some of the better and comprehensive books out there on darkroom technique. I would like a comprehensive, well-written book I can dip into again and again, especially over the coming winter months/ immersion in the darkroom.
Tim Rudman’s ‘The Photographers Master Printing Course’, and Ralph Lambrecht’s ‘Way Beyond Monochrome’ have already been brought to my attention, and I would love to know if there are any other books in this area that could be recommended.
I have a copy of Les McLeans book which I am dithering through and like it very much, but with a few workshops under my belt and sizeable chunks of time in the darkroom ahead, I would like a real tome I can dig into, both to build on the knowledge I have, and also refer to as need dictates.
Hi,
Not sure abot books, but I just bought this DVD last week, will see if it’s any good.
http://www.jasonbrunner.com/dvd.html” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
Recommended to me by Martin,which I found very informative
Creative Elements-Landscape Photography-Darkroom Techniques by Eddie Ephraums
Cheers Steve
Irmantas wrote:
Not sure abot books, but I just bought this DVD last week, will see if it’s any good.
http://www.jasonbrunner.com/dvd.html” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
Interesting, although for my needs I suspect it won’t have enough depth, as a tome on the matter would. Sounds like a great primer though, and would be interested to hear your thoughts on it after you’ve watched it.
ossie13 wrote:
Recommended to me by Martin,which I found very informative
Creative Elements-Landscape Photography-Darkroom Techniques by Eddie Ephraums
Cheers Steve
Yes, I remember seeing this book touted before, and have seen it get high praise in many places. Can you comment on the coverage/ depth of the book? I’m really after a bible of sorts for darkroom printing, in so far as possible.
I think between all the books mentioned above (and i’ll add John Blakemore’s Black and White Photography Workshop book) if you were to buy them all you would have more than a bible of information. I dont think there is one book that has all the info in it. People print in different ways and there are different ways to solve the same problems…
Hmmm.. may have to do a bit of book browsing and see if I can make a decision on which to get (at least first :))
I’ve seen Way Beyond Monochrome on the shelves, as its just had a new edition published, but haven’t seen the Tim Rudman book if anyone has any feedback on it. Same with John Blakemore’s book, although if I’m not mistaken I have seen that in print and on shelves from time to time..
I have all the books mentioned and would say Les McLean’s is the best for printing imo.
I would think that both Tim Rudman’s and Les McLean’s books are more that enough for anyone working in the darkroom. If you move beyond those, you should be writing your own .
Vincent
thefizz wrote:
I have all the books mentioned and would say Les McLean’s is the best for printing imo.
I like Les’ book very much alright, and that is quite a recommendation.
tex wrote:
I would think that both Tim Rudman’s and Les McLean’s books are more that enough for anyone working in the darkroom. If you move beyond those, you should be writing your own .
Vincent
Lol, you could be right Vincent. Tim and Les are no doubt two of the finest printers working in the darkroom today, and it was no slight on their books, more a search for an unerring comprehensive reference that will address most arcane queries, that has inspired my original post.
Seeing as Tim’s book has been mentioned a few times, and am sure a few people in addition to Peter have a copy here, am wondering if people have any feedback on it. There seem to be some nice, reasonably priced used copies going, but have never actually seen a physical copy to thumb through.
I would say McLean’s book is better but Rudman’s is certainly worth getting also.
Interesting. Are there aspects of Rudmans book you don’t like/ felt could be handled better ? Having a peek at the table of contents on Amazon reveal Rudmans book is about twice the page count of the McLean book.
I think Les did a great job of packing everything in concisely, and to be honest getting it down from the bookshelf again wouldn’t be a bad idea..
damien.murphy wrote:
Interesting. Are there aspects of Rudmans book you don’t like/ felt could be handled better ? Having a peek at the table of contents on Amazon reveal Rudmans book is about twice the page count of the McLean book.
I think Les did a great job of packing everything in concisely, and to be honest getting it down from the bookshelf again wouldn’t be a bad idea..
I think McLean’s book is laid out better and easier to follow and it mainly concentrates on film development and printing. Rudman’s is more of an all round book covering similar topics to McLean but with chapters also on darkroom equipment, toning, mounting etc. I haven’t looked at this book in a few years so I took it out this evening and noticed he also has a section on how to make a paper safe so I know that will interest you.
Thanks Peter for that. I shall definitely keep Tim Rudman’s book in mind then, as its definitely an all-round book I’m on the lookout for, especially given I have Les’ book already. I had a thumb through Way Beyond Monochrome again today also, and have been quite impressed by the depth of that book also. Obviously I am not saying I am ready to start thumbing through exhaustive amounts of advanced technique, but it is precisely that sort of book I am looking for, so as to serve as a reference into the distant future.
On a related note, I picked up a very reasonably priced copy of Toning And Hand Colouring Photographs by Tony Worobiec today, which would appear to be a comprehensive primer on toning, split-toning and hand colouring. I’m not sure how it compares with Tim Rudman’s book on toning, but for €10 in Chapters I am quite happy with the purchase :)
Damien I also have Tony Worobiec from Chapters. Whereas it’s good value at that price, it is not nearly as comprehensive as Tim’s which leaves no stone unturned in his experiments and variations on the use of toners. I gather from another web site that he has managed to get the book reprinted and it is for sale again. If that’s an area you want to get involved in I would highly recommend it.
vincent
Has anyone mentioned the master’s books Ansel Adams, three books The Camera, The Negative and The Print, I have read the last two, quite detailed learned a lot especially from the The Print, worth checking out.
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