It’s out of print and may be hard to find: “The Art of Black-and-White Enlarging” by David Vestal, Harper & Row, 1984 is very well written and packs a lot between covers.
I agree, Vestal’s book was written in plain English and took me from an ordinary printer to a decent printer. Vestal’s column in Photo Techniques rubbishing the split filter fad was also a classic.
thank you for this great video! i bought „the print“ of ansel adams in the 1980-ies. it was incredible for me. i still read the book (and also „the camera“ and „the negativ“) again and again. i also have „way beyond monochrom“ and „Barnbaum“. „the print“ for me is still number one regarding to: practicality, didactics, readability, fascination, fun, it has the most beautiful excamples with „how to“ explanations (also in „the negativ“ and in „the camera“). number two is „way beyond monochrome“: more scientific, great didactics. „Barnbaum“ for me is more philosophical. for me you only need „the print“ and then „the negativ“ to understand exposure and development.
Excellent list! I’d recommend Post Exposure by Ctein. Covers lots of darkroom techniques. There’s a PDF version available online in case you can’t track down a hard copy..
Just wanted to thank you for the Way Beyond Monochrome recommendation. What a fantastic reference. Especially F-stop printing, which has drastically improved my print work, and even my film/developer actual-ISO testing procedures. It's so logical that print exposure should be based on fractions of stops rather than fixed increments of time (such as 3-second intervals). Wonder why that never occurred to me before? It's forever changed now.
@@DannerPlace great to hear! I sort of do a hybrid of the two but understand the value in f-stop printing. My mind works more linear at times. The book is fantastic especially for anyone with a really analytical mindset 👍
I have been through he AA trilogy a couple times over the years, it's a reference standard, although the materials he used are largely unavailable now (not a big deal). I bought Barnbaum book on your recommendation, and can confirm it is fantastic. Really motivating too.
I must say, I love darkroom books, so thanks for the tips. The Darkroom cookbook is an absolute must. Gene Nocon is a legend, he introduced the Lith process to Tim Rudman. Any of Tim's book are splendid.
Good choices. The Barnbaum book has some excellent illustrations, well-reproduced, in the back, showing before and after prints. I haven't read the Anchell book yet; I'll get around to it. I'm sure Vestal's is good, having studied his previous book intensively in my early years. The reproduction wasn't great, and I never liked his photography, but boy! did I learn a lot from the book. Looking at my bookshelf, I don't see others I would add for printing. More broadly, one of the best lighting books I have ever read is Light: Science and Magic, which is the first book I ever saw explaining "family of angles," which is enormously helpful for understanding large sources. The book is thorough and very well written. It may be in its 3rd or 4th edition now. There are two other books I'll mention, though they are only text: Art and Fear, and The Meaning in the Making, both offer significant contributions to the kind of thoughtful consideration of the creative process and challenges of self-identifying as an artist addressed at length by Barnbaum. Both are written by photographers, but the first speaks to artists in general. Neither is dogmatic; the authors amenably leave you to agree or disagree where you choose, but they are unusually insightful. The one further comment I would add is, don't forget to go see great prints in person. Some museums have archives allowing close inspection, without glazing (unframed), through appointments.
Thanks for the great insights Phillip. I will be looking into those 3 books for sure as they all sound very interesting and right up my alley. I agree if you can get out and see some great prints up close do not skip on the opportunity.
Another sage video (loving the chiaroscuro lighting btw). Just motivated me to pick up a copy of The Darkroom Cookbook, which I’ve been meaning to for some time, so thanks for the prod!
Great list. I now print digitally but these books are just as valuable when using Darktable or Lightroom and printing digitally. I have the Ansel and the Rudman and now may buy the others as well.
I agree, especially the Bruce Barnbaum book. I have always felt that shooting film makes me a better digital photographer as well. Not really sure why just a feeling.
que bueno, acabo de descargar en pdf el libro 3 la copia, en español, no es el libro pero esta muy bien traducido y espero me sirva gracias Y un saludo desde BARCELONA ESPAÑA.
I own and have studied the first four books presented, and I am familiar with the level of publications by the author of the fifth book. These are great recommendations for persons already experienced in basic exposure of film and darkroom work. However, they all assume a moderate level of prior education and experience by the reader as a platform from which to absorb their information and move to a high level of technical capability. For people just getting into B&W photography and looking for basic instruction in film exposure and darkroom printing, a book like the following is far more instructive and useful: David Vestal, The Craft of Photography. (I grant that this channel presents at a level not likely to be subscribed by B&W beginners.)
Gotta say, these are all irrelevant and this is after having gone through all, save for Darkroom Cookbook. All of these books were written prior to contemporary papers and chemistry. Very little is applicable today. Just try finding any mention of VC paper or split filter use.
I am surprised that, having gone through all of these, you found nothing of relevance. I have been printing on variable contrast papers, with multiple filtration, since the days when VC papers were the underdogs, before I became a professional, and I have continued to learn from Adams, Barnbaum, and Lambrecht/Woodhouse, among others, in recent years.
I have all of these except for the Darkroom Cookbook and all are excellent sources of information and inspiration. Tim Rudman has several other books dealing more specifically with VC paper and split grade printing, as does Eddie Ephraums. If you really want to dive in and learn more advanced darkroom techniques, well-written books beat TH-cam videos every time.
@@JamesMartin-vm2zo Thanks for the Ephraums rec, I wasn't aware of his books. Rudman does briefly go into split grade, but he favors extreme looks. All these other books are quick to mention bleaching/flashing/development, rather than spending a full chapter on what you actually do at the enlarger - exploiting the variable contrast through combining filters and compensating with exposure. The VC techniques need an authoritative overview - which doesn't exist online or in print.
Thank you so much for this video, im in a stage at darkroom printing where i feel stuck and dont know how to get better. These books would keep me busy for months now 🫡
For an up to date, currently in print book, take a look at The Art of Black and White Developing by John Finch.
I will look into it, thanks!!!
I will second this. John Finch is great and his YT channel is very educational.
It’s out of print and may be hard to find: “The Art of Black-and-White Enlarging” by David Vestal, Harper & Row, 1984 is very well written and packs a lot between covers.
Thanks Mark, I always loved David Vestal’s monthly column in Photo Technique. I will keep an eye out for that one!
@@Distphoto I've got this book too, and second the recommendation.
Thanks Mike, so many out of print books that get lost. Hope to come across this one🙏
I agree, Vestal’s book was written in plain English and took me from an ordinary printer to a decent printer. Vestal’s column in Photo Techniques rubbishing the split filter fad was also a classic.
thank you for this great video!
i bought „the print“ of ansel adams in the 1980-ies. it was incredible for me. i still read the book (and also „the camera“ and „the negativ“) again and again. i also have „way beyond monochrom“ and „Barnbaum“.
„the print“ for me is still number one regarding to: practicality, didactics, readability, fascination, fun, it has the most beautiful excamples with „how to“ explanations (also in „the negativ“ and in „the camera“). number two is „way beyond monochrome“: more scientific, great didactics. „Barnbaum“ for me is more philosophical.
for me you only need „the print“ and then „the negativ“ to understand exposure and development.
Excellent list!
I’d recommend Post Exposure by Ctein. Covers lots of darkroom techniques. There’s a PDF version available online in case you can’t track down a hard copy..
I love that book as well and do love it. Probably could make the top 5, but if you are starting out I would recommend the others first.
Great recommendations, thanks a bunch, I have 3 of 5 of those books and they are extremely useful. I’ll order the Way Beyond Monochrome.
Just wanted to thank you for the Way Beyond Monochrome recommendation. What a fantastic reference. Especially F-stop printing, which has drastically improved my print work, and even my film/developer actual-ISO testing procedures. It's so logical that print exposure should be based on fractions of stops rather than fixed increments of time (such as 3-second intervals). Wonder why that never occurred to me before? It's forever changed now.
@@DannerPlace great to hear! I sort of do a hybrid of the two but understand the value in f-stop printing. My mind works more linear at times. The book is fantastic especially for anyone with a really analytical mindset 👍
I have been through he AA trilogy a couple times over the years, it's a reference standard, although the materials he used are largely unavailable now (not a big deal). I bought Barnbaum book on your recommendation, and can confirm it is fantastic. Really motivating too.
@@DannerPlace Awesome!
I must say, I love darkroom books, so thanks for the tips. The Darkroom cookbook is an absolute must. Gene Nocon is a legend, he introduced the Lith process to Tim Rudman. Any of Tim's book are splendid.
Thanks Gavin, did not know that about Gene, will have to look him up!
I've just taken delivery of a minty 'used' copy of your Barnbaum recommendation - what an excellent tome it is too. Thanks so much. Atb. (UK)
Awesome! Has been a favorite in my top for a long time! Cheers
I would add "Creative elements - Landscape Photography Darkroom Techniques" by Eddie Ephraums. Lots of real examples from the negative to print.
Thanks for sharing, another one to keep an eye out for!
Good choices. The Barnbaum book has some excellent illustrations, well-reproduced, in the back, showing before and after prints. I haven't read the Anchell book yet; I'll get around to it. I'm sure Vestal's is good, having studied his previous book intensively in my early years. The reproduction wasn't great, and I never liked his photography, but boy! did I learn a lot from the book.
Looking at my bookshelf, I don't see others I would add for printing. More broadly, one of the best lighting books I have ever read is Light: Science and Magic, which is the first book I ever saw explaining "family of angles," which is enormously helpful for understanding large sources. The book is thorough and very well written. It may be in its 3rd or 4th edition now.
There are two other books I'll mention, though they are only text: Art and Fear, and The Meaning in the Making, both offer significant contributions to the kind of thoughtful consideration of the creative process and challenges of self-identifying as an artist addressed at length by Barnbaum. Both are written by photographers, but the first speaks to artists in general. Neither is dogmatic; the authors amenably leave you to agree or disagree where you choose, but they are unusually insightful.
The one further comment I would add is, don't forget to go see great prints in person. Some museums have archives allowing close inspection, without glazing (unframed), through appointments.
Thanks for the great insights Phillip. I will be looking into those 3 books for sure as they all sound very interesting and right up my alley.
I agree if you can get out and see some great prints up close do not skip on the opportunity.
Another sage video (loving the chiaroscuro lighting btw). Just motivated me to pick up a copy of The Darkroom Cookbook, which I’ve been meaning to for some time, so thanks for the prod!
No problem 👍 Hope you enjoy it!
books are always best friend...thank you.
I totally agree!
Thanks! I have the Barnbaum and Adams books, will check out the other three.
Awesome, let me know what you think!
outstanding video, two of your mentions i've been ''meaning' to buy, this was a nice shove thanks
Glad to help 👍
Thank you Matthew for this information!!! I have 3 of them.
Your welcome Jose!
good list and concur i have 3/5 more dark room episodes required
On it!
Great list. I now print digitally but these books are just as valuable when using Darktable or Lightroom and printing digitally. I have the Ansel and the Rudman and now may buy the others as well.
I agree, especially the Bruce Barnbaum book. I have always felt that shooting film makes me a better digital photographer as well. Not really sure why just a feeling.
Always great content. Thanks
Thank you!
muy buena informacion, no se si estaran en español, seria interesante tener dicha informacion gracias.
Not sure if any are translated or not, I imagine maybe be the newer ones might be?
que bueno, acabo de descargar en pdf el libro 3 la copia, en español, no es el libro pero esta muy bien traducido y espero me sirva gracias Y un saludo desde BARCELONA ESPAÑA.
That is cool that you could find it! It is a classic!
I own and have studied the first four books presented, and I am familiar with the level of publications by the author of the fifth book. These are great recommendations for persons already experienced in basic exposure of film and darkroom work. However, they all assume a moderate level of prior education and experience by the reader as a platform from which to absorb their information and move to a high level of technical capability. For people just getting into B&W photography and looking for basic instruction in film exposure and darkroom printing, a book like the following is far more instructive and useful: David Vestal, The Craft of Photography. (I grant that this channel presents at a level not likely to be subscribed by B&W beginners.)
@@randallstewart1224 Thanks Randal, great recommendation!
Gotta say, these are all irrelevant and this is after having gone through all, save for Darkroom Cookbook. All of these books were written prior to contemporary papers and chemistry. Very little is applicable today. Just try finding any mention of VC paper or split filter use.
So, that is very incorrect. The only one that does not have V.C. Papers in it is The Print …
I am surprised that, having gone through all of these, you found nothing of relevance. I have been printing on variable contrast papers, with multiple filtration, since the days when VC papers were the underdogs, before I became a professional, and I have continued to learn from Adams, Barnbaum, and Lambrecht/Woodhouse, among others, in recent years.
I have all of these except for the Darkroom Cookbook and all are excellent sources of information and inspiration. Tim Rudman has several other books dealing more specifically with VC paper and split grade printing, as does Eddie Ephraums. If you really want to dive in and learn more advanced darkroom techniques, well-written books beat TH-cam videos every time.
Gene Nocons book is good he created f stop printing. Not really technical though.
@@JamesMartin-vm2zo Thanks for the Ephraums rec, I wasn't aware of his books. Rudman does briefly go into split grade, but he favors extreme looks. All these other books are quick to mention bleaching/flashing/development, rather than spending a full chapter on what you actually do at the enlarger - exploiting the variable contrast through combining filters and compensating with exposure. The VC techniques need an authoritative overview - which doesn't exist online or in print.
Thank you so much for this video, im in a stage at darkroom printing where i feel stuck and dont know how to get better. These books would keep me busy for months now 🫡
Awesome, happy printing!