The Darkroom Cookbook, Third Edition [Paperback]

Steve Anchell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2008

The art of darkroom developing and printing will never go out of style. Master darkroom specialist Steve Anchell is back to prove it in this long-awaited third edition of his enormously successful Darkroom Cookbook. Packed with over 200 "recipes," some common and others rare gems, you'll discover something new every time you open this guide, whether you're new to the darkroom or have been making your own prints for years. In addition to the formulas, you'll find tons of useful information on developers, push-processing, where to get darkroom equipment, how to set up your own darkroom, how to work and play in your darkroom safely, and much more. This handy guide will become a constant companion for every darkroom enthusiast creating prints at home or in the studio.

In addition to complete updates throughout to reflect changes in the availability of chemicals and equipment, this third edition contains all new information on:

*Reversal processing
*Enlarged negatives
*Pyro formulas
*Plus expanded sections on printing, pyro, and toning prints

Also included for the first time are special technique contributions as well as stunning black and white imagery by Bruce Barnbaum, Rod Dresser, Jay Dusard, Patrick Gainer, Richard Garrod, Henry Gilpin, Gordon Hutchings, Sandy King, Les McLean, Saïd Nuseibeh, France Scully Osterman, Mark Osterman, Tim Rudman, Ryuijie, John Sexton, and John Wimberly.

Be sure to visit www.darkroomcookbook.com to find useful links, an interactive user forum, and more!

Steve Anchell is a photographer and author of The Variable Contrast Printing Manual, and co-author of The Film Developing Cookbook. He has been teaching darkroom and photography workshops since 1979. Steve is a member of the Freestyle Advisory Board of Photographic Professionals.

"With its unrivalled collection of photographic formulae and easy to understand explanations of photographic processes, The Darkroom Cookbook has long been a favorite with darkroom workers everywhere. Now, with further additions to its formulary, more topics, and contributions by renowned darkroom experts, this new edition promises to be an indispensable Aladdin's Cave resource to darkroom enthusiasts of all levels."
-Tim Rudman, photographer and author

"The Darkroom Cookbook is an essential compendium of photographic information for anyone interested in high-quality darkroom work." -John Sexton, photographer

*Packed with rare techniques for silver-based processing clearly explained by a darkroom master so you can create your own stunning prints at home or in the studio
*Contains over 200 formulas - follow along step-by-step, or experiment with your own variations to develop new recipes!
*Includes a brand-new chapter on analog variable contrast printing
*Visit the new supplemental website to find useful links and an interactive user forum

Editorial Reviews

Review

Amazon reviews for the Second Edition:

"Well loved and dog-eared...this book has been flipped through many times, it holds many wonderful ideas and continues to inspire me in this digital age we live in!"

"The Darkroom Bible...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."

"Excellent reference for both shooters and photo scientists...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... I used this book as a reference in a college level photographic chemistry class and I found it invaluable."

From the Publisher

Written in easy to understand language, The Darkroom Cookbook is the one source every photographer needs for the recipes for both common and rare photographic formulas. With the advent of easy chemistry pre-packaged for specific papers, much of the artistry, variety and flexibility has been taken out of photography. This book provides the keys to unlocking creativity through the mastery of the 'ingredients' of photography- namely the chemicals used to develop, fix, stop and tone. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 3 edition (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240810554
• ISBN-13: 978-0240810553
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Darkroom & Processing

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A excellent book for serious darkroom fanatics., October 14, 1999

By 

C. Schutz (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Darkroom Cookbook (v. 1) (Paperback)

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.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference for both shooters and photo scientists, August 17, 2000

By 

"ritphototechstudent" (Rochester, New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Darkroom Cookbook, Second Edition (Paperback)

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.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Darkroom Bible, May 29, 2002

By 

"mariawest" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Darkroom Cookbook (v. 1) (Paperback)

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.