Customer Reviews

Photographic Possibilities

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

 

 

Although this is a vast improvement over the first edition, I still have reservations about the book. The essays are a bit oversimplified (Such as "Why we take pictures"), which don't seem to understand that the readers of a book about alternative processes are looking a bit deeper into the subject of photography.

Artists such as Robert Parkeharrison and Mike and Doug Starn are mentioned, but I would like to know more about their processes and more importantly, why they believe these techniques are the best medium for their images.

The technical information is well-presented, but there is one glaring omission that I believe is the book's main flaw: lack of color. A comprehensive chapter on toners leaves one frustrated as to what all these formulas look like when applied to a print. There are eight pages of full-color plates, but they mostly illustrate different artist's work, and not the processes that are described.

Torn, as in whether to rate this book as a useful instructional guide, or boring casual reading.

Torn, as in the author's feelings on whether to write about the sentiment and philosophy behind photography. Sections get weighed down by the author's need to discuss (in overly maudlin terms) the creative expression offered by photography. I would have preferred a book to be either wholly technical or entirely emotional (and clearly presented as such, so that I could avoid it).

Torn, as in the pages falling from this poorly bound book. Several friends have informed me that their copies fell apart, too.

All in all, I found the procedural information to be clear and concise, covering not just basics, but some more interesting darkroom techniques. It seemed that the rest was serving as filler; personally I would prefer more picture examples and less of the non-procedural text. However, this book is a good alternative to some of the better, but unfortunately out of print, darkroom guides.

This is a very good book that covers many of the less well known photographic processes and materials. It is well written and provides clear instructions about using the various processes.