Customer Reviews

The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes Christopher James

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

As far as I am concerned, this is THE BOOK.
It is so incredibly useful and I've learned so much from reading it. It's very well written, easy to follow, tons of references. Wow. I recommend this book to anyone interested in alternative process photography. Anyone interested in photography even. It is wonderful.
Basically, in photography, Silver is used a lot in the photographic papers. Alternative processing uses anything BUT silver. Platnium/palladium, gold, Iron.. even berries and various plants. This book gives a wonderful over-view of it all and tells you how to do it. There is even a bit of history about the different processes complete with wonderful pictures. I love this book.

Christopher James has been satisfying the art world for 20+ years now, combining his gifts as a photographer (who has been pushing the creative envelope all along) with his equally successful foray into the studio of the painter. In both areas Christopher has started with the keen observing eye. Representing what those investigating eyes have captured has always included experimenting with the medium: watercolors are painted on a paper ground that has been altered with gum arabic/graphite/jade resist and photographs that have been pulled through a Diana camera or glazed and adroitly enameled so that viewing becoms a three dimensional experience. But Christopher is also highly regarded as a short story writer and it is this last variation of his artistic temperament that makes his new book so successful.
This is an invaluable book, an exemplary resource text about Alternative Photographic Processes. But, and here is the Christopher James rule of thumb, this "text" is deliciously readable. Even for collectors who are looking for some degree of insight into the magic of the medium this book has much to offer. I found myself actually READING the text, not just paging through a beautifully designed tome on great photographs.
Highly recommended for the artists who need to know these techniques.........and equally highly recommended for those of us who marvel at the variations of contemporary photography.

As a working professional and someone involved in the arts, it really is a magical thing to find a book that not only informs, but also inspires. Christopher James' Book of Alternative Photographic Processes is a wonderful example of what all `how to' books should aspire to.

Certainly, those interested in a workbook coving the materials, procedures, and skills required to produce various alternative process images will be more than pleased with the information provided but thanks to James' entertaining and enlightened approach to the subject, readers will find themselves coming back to this book not only for its technical knowledge, but also because it is simply a joy to read.

Mr. James makes even the more demanding practices seem well within the reach of those who would like to experiment and always elevates the reader with his positive, straightforward style. This is not a dry science book, nor is it a subjective treatise on what `art' should be; reading it is akin to spending time with a good-natured yet extremely knowledgeable companion who has agreed to pass on their photographic mastery.

Aside from the enjoyable (and often witty) text, the selection of photographs and artwork illustrating the book is superb and a fantastic resource for those curious what can be achieved by artists who invest themselves in these techniques. It is telling that James' students created many of these wonderful works and James' own photos, taken with toy cameras, are stunning and reflect the sensibilities found in the text.

While it may be possible to find volumes with more detailed explanations of the chemistry, history, and variations of specific processes, the Book of Alternative Photographic Processes is much greater than the sum of its parts. Yes, if you read this you can learn to make a gum print. But of much greater import, you will find yourself captivated and excited about making gum prints or working with any of the other techniques described.

Most highly recommended and I hope to see more from Mr. James soon.

Christopher James has written the most reader friendly, technically demystifying, and visually rich books that I have seen in a very long time. The "Little History" sections that begin nearly every chapter are fun to read and full of the connections, anecdotes, and colorful characters, that has made the photographic arts so compelling to historians and artists.

Technically, the book is clear and informative (winner of the Golden Light Technical Book of the Year in 2001) and goes to great lengths to be sure the reader will have little difficulty comprehending and working with the myriad processes covered.

Besides James's very accessible writing style, which reads like conversation between friends, the collection of illustrated work is truly outstanding. It is significant that of the over 300 illustrations, a good percentage were made by James's students and those of other artists, and teachers, represented in the book. It is important to note that the production values in this full color book are outstanding.

James has collected a rich contemporary survey of alternative process work, likely the most comprehensive in print, and this alone makes his book a terrific resource for students of any age. For teachers, it clearly "sets-the-bar" with a buffet of visual possibilities. I viewed an exhibition of the work in the book last fall, at The Art Institute of Boston, and can assure you that the quality of reproduction is first rate.

All in all, this is a wonderful book to read, work with in the studio, and to enjoy purely for the images. If you've ever had an interest in alternative process photography, this is The Book to have.

Frank Van Riper, photographer, author and photography columnist for <Washingtonpost.com>:
After years of effort--and gathering hundreds on images--his own as well as those of other master photographers and many of his students, Christopher James has produced a superb book that likely will stand for years as the definitive text on alternative photography. It not only is a pleasure to look at it is a pleasure to read. From Ambrotype to Ziatype, Christopher covers it all, in a breezy, accessible style that is jammed with practical information that never is pedantic or dull. I don't even do lots of this stuff and I found it all fascinating. It's a simply marvelous book, by a gifted teacher.

This review was posted on the alternative photo processes e-mail list on Friday, July 27, 2001 by Judy Seigel, editor of The World Journal of Post-Factory Photography.

Christopher James's "The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes" has arrived. Having had the signal honor of an invitation to blurb it, I prophesied that it would be "both landmark and guide. It's where we've been, where we are now, and where we're going. Photography's classic methods and materials are explained, explored, extended, and reinvented, while marching well into the age of ink jet and digital."

At that point, I'd seen only the text and something like 400 names. With the book in hand I can only add "instant classic." Chris vetted chapters with the reigning experts *for years*, bringing them to state of the art. MANY fresh works by newcomers (including Sara Van Keuren's and Chris James's students), as well as the old masters, classics in the field, from Francis Firth and Talbot himself, to Robert Demachy and our own Galina Manikova. A most special delight is four (4!) iconic works by the mother of all us "moderns," Naomi Savage, too little known today.

Chris may succeed with his almost irresistibly relaxed & conversational tone (that is, readable !), here & there dropping in the unproved or experimental as casual suggestions along with the straight authoritative data, because he's taught so much of it himself for so long -- he's perfectly comfortable both with the material & teaching it.

So far, however, I've only managed to tear myself away from compulsive caption reading long enough to skim a few paragraphs & chapter heads. I note in particular "the instant gratification method" for albumen (I made a note) and Lazertrans, among its 386 pages. I could (I confess) live without anthotype, but there on the page across from Dan Estrabrook's anthotype dress from pink petal dye is a totally delicious Christopher James drawing titled "Sir John Herschel's Actual Fingers Selecting an Odd Flower for His Anthotype, 1840."

Every page has its own gifts. In fact, if you never read a formula the (well printed) illustrations & captions are delight enow. Well worth the cover price, whether a farthing or a king's ransom. (This detail is omitted, no matter -- eat oatmeal if necessary.)

MERCIFULLY, the book is NOT perfect. I managed to find at least one flaw (otherwise I was going to fold my tent & let Chris carry the ball, to mix metaphors). I'm not really happy with the letter face used as dividers in the index. Got that? They're red, which is some help, however. And the overall type design is blessedly clear, coherent & easy to follow. No more now, see for yourself -- but Oh yes, a chapter on this very list will bring a smile or two... also a subscriber or two.

When I was a late-life retread studying photography, Christopher James was one of the photo artists we most admired. It's a thrill to be in his book, which he improved & improved & improved for years, making it a joy forever.

Judy Seigel, Editor World Journal of Post-Factory Photography "HOW-TO and WHY"

The category can now be put to rest. James has written the definitive book on the wide subject of alternative photographic processes. For each process he combines some history, contemporary examples, detailed instructions, and the knowledge gained through many years personal experience. What could have been a deadly bore to read is instead lively and personal. Huge number of examples lets you see what is happening today in each medium. First at Harvard, now at Art Institute of Boston, James is one of the leading artist-teachers in the country. If you are interested in the subject, this is the only book to own

Christopher James has written the most reader friendly, technically demystifying, and visually rich books that I have seen in a very long time. The "Little History" sections that begin nearly every chapter are fun to read and full of the connections, and colorful characters, that have made the photographic arts so compelling to historians.

Technically, the book is clear and informative (winner of the Golden Light Technical Book of the Year in 2001) and goes the distance making sure that the reader will have little difficulty comprehending and working with the myriad processes covered.

Besides James's very accessible writing style, which reads like conversation between good friends, the collection of illustrated work is truly outstanding. It is significant that of the 300 odd illustrations, a good percentage were made by James's students and those of other artists, and teachers, represented in the book.

The book is a contemporary survey, really the most comprehensive in print, and makes it a terrific resource for students of any age. For teachers, it "sets-the-bar" with a buffet of visual possibilities. I viewed an exhibition of the work in the book last fall, at The Art Institute of Boston, and can assure you that the quality of reproduction is first rate.

All in all, this is a wonderful book to read and to look at? even if you never attempt the creation of an image using the recipes and techniques within.

This book is written in a very approachable manner and makes it easy for anyone to follow his processes and tips. All types of images are represented. James goes into detail on 97% of the topics he mentioned making this a useful tool in your alt photo quest.

It's hard to not slip into strings of superlatives in responding to this book! If you have *any* interest in photographic alt-printing-processes, this book is a must-have. Even if you *don't* have a specific interest in alt-processes you'll want to own this book! Spend a few moments with it - it's so seductive you'll want to make your own handmade photographs too!! The book is written in an easy, open and friendly style - with lots of humor throughout (a real accomplishment in itself!). The information is utterably reliable and accurate - and is very easy to grasp and follow. It will have you working in that new process in no time. It will absolutley remove the fear of trying it! There's just enough historical background for each section to enlighten and to interest. And the REPRODUCTIONS!! are abundant and of extremely high quality (reason enough to purchase the book). This is a *really* satisfying alt-process photography book which you'll refer to again and again and again....