Customer Reviews

Darkroom Cookbook, Second Edition

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As stated in the summery this is a great book for people who wish to advance in the darkroom; to have more control over their work. The Darkroom Cookbook discuss, in easy to understand concise language, how to make your own developers, toners, fixers, reducers etc. Stephen Anchell gives you the formulas to reproduce, in your own darkroom, a host of great developers etc. He also gives some basic info on hints and tools you will need to get started. A well written book easy to follow; though a little knowledge of basic chemistry is helpful. I am a new darkroomer and found this book has a wealth of inforamtion helpful if you like to expeirment. By the way, If you are just being introduced to the darkroom or rusty at it, don't buy this book at this momment. Wait untill you feel comfortable working in the darkroom using stock chemicals, this book might discourage some from beinning because it is a techincal manual.

Mr. Anchell has complied an excellent book for both people becoming interested in developing their own film and those who want to know more about the chemistry of photographic processing chemicals. There are sections on getting started building your own darkroom, previously tested formulae for developer, fixer, and other assorted solutions, and a full explanation of what each chemical does in the formulae if you want to create your own developer. I used this book as a reference in a college level photographic chemistry class and I found it invaluable.

This book is an absolute must-have for the experienced printer who wants to step up to the next level. The wealth of information he provides, from technical to historical, is extremely interesting, albeit a bit dizzying at times. However, the book can be used as a reference as needed for information on specific chemicals, formulas, or resources for supplies and equipment. Of all the books that I have read on printing, this is the one that has been most useful.

A book [only]for the "wet", non-digital, darkroom enthusiast. I have collected photo processing formulas and "rolled my own" photo-chemistry for the last 30 years. I think this book and its related publication are the only modern, conprehensive collections of information covering the subject of DIY photo-chemistry. It has all of the modern formulas and techniques, and it omits most of the technical information common in older books, but which is no longer compatible with modern photo materials. This is not a book for a beginner, photo hobbist who is lookinbg for an introduction to darkroom techniques. [Do any such still exist?] As with many books of highly technical information published in low volume, there were some errors in my copy which may or may not have been corrected in the current edition; errata can be downloaded from the author's website.

From the outset, this book is not for faint-hearted digital camera users amongst us. It is a book crammed full of easy-to-follow & understand recipes and tips for REAL photography, but beware, you may actually want to get your hands dirty if you read it! Ah the smell of the darkroom, no photoshop here, thank you!
I bought the "cookbook" because I feel that old-fashioned photo art is quickly vanishing , good riddance I hear you say? Well, You don't know what you are missing until is is no longer here.
Very well written, in a well organised conversational style that truely makes you believe that the author is chatting to you personally, one on one. I'd like to add more, but I want to return to the book, so ...........

This book is THE most essential piece of darkroom equipment. Before you buy your enlarger or sink, get this book. Not only does it contain evey formula you'll ever need, it has tips from contributing authors,conversion tables and much more. Steve Anchell has done a superb job organizing all this into a readable, easy to understand book. I give it my highest recommendation.

It's hard to believe this book gets even better in this, it's Third Edition. Author/Editor/Compiler Anchell, himself an outstanding photographer and gifted teacher, gives the reader a no-nonsense, hands-on approach to every necessary aspect of the craft of darkroom photography. Whether noobie or aging "darkroom rat" (like this reviewer) this trove of information about photo chemistry, developing and printing techniques, and darkroom lore should be an essential in every non-digital photographer's book shelf.
John J. Cahill, Mount Vernon, Virginia USA

It's comprehensive, it's well written and it is easy to follow the chemical recipes.
It is exactly what it claims to be nothing more and nothing less.

For those of us still using film and doing our own developing and printing this book is a must. This book has been around for years and is a must have reference work for anyone that is working in analog (film photography)

Anchell's book is amazingly complete. I was highly recommended in photo forums, and I can see why. I also like the level of the explanations about development chemistry, not too simplistic, not too technical. I dig it.