The Variable Contrast Printing Manual [Paperback]

Steve Anchell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 13, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0240802594 | ISBN-13: 978-0240802596 | Edition: 1

The Variable Contrast Printing Manual is the only comprehensive resource for photographers printing with variable contrast papers. Anchell provides a wealth of techniques and information to enable photographers to achieve the best possible results, and express their unique personal vision. As in his best-selling The Darkroom Cookbook (Focal Press), Anchell has provided the reader with an easy-to-follow approach to a medium that now dominates black-and-white printing.

Stephen G. Anchell has been a freelance and commercial photographer, writer, and instructor for over 25 years. His fine-art black-and-white photography has been internationally exhibited and collected. He teaches workshops and seminars privately, at universities, and for companies such as Agfa, Cachet Fine Art Paper Company, and Sinar-Bron. His writing on photography has appeared in View Camera, Shutterbug, PIC (Great Britain), and PhotoPro magazines. He was a contributing editor to the former Camera and Darkroom magazine, and is a current contributing editor to PhotoWork and Outdoor Photographer magazines.

Only comprehensive how-to manual for printing on variable contrast papers.

Timely and instructive; provides a wealth of proven techniques.

Invaluable reference for art photographers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Steve has done it again! Just as in the wonderful Darkroom Cookbook, he has managed to pull together everything you need to know about printing with multigrade papers. A significant contribution which every black and white darkroom enthusiast should own.'
Joe Englander

'Anchell's text contains a wealth of useful and clearly stated information. It should be a valuable addition to any serious printer's library.'
Alan Ross
'This is a very informative yet easy to read book from which most printers
will pick up a few pointers, even those who have been printing on
variable contrast paper for years.'
Steve Hynes

From the Publisher

The Variable Contrast Printing Manual is the only comprehensive resource for photographers printing with variable contrast papers. Anchell provides a wealth of techniques and information to enable photographers to achieve the best possible results, and express their unique personal vision. As in his best-selling The Darkroom Cookbook (Focal Press), Anchell has provided the reader with an easy-to-follow approach to a medium that now dominates black-and-white printing.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 193 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 1 edition (January 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240802594
• ISBN-13: 978-0240802596
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #764,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Darkroom & Processing

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VC gets its due, October 16, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Wharton, New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Variable Contrast Printing Manual (Paperback)

Variable contrast paper has long been looked down upon by photographers. That has been changing over the last few years and this book should finally convince everyone of VC's role in the printer's toolbox. Everything is covered--from printing techniques to currently available paper brands and VC enlarging heads. The text is informative, accurate and readable. A winning combination.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read and informative, January 13, 2002

By 

JOAN GIRDLER (Nevada City, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Variable Contrast Printing Manual (Paperback)

As an intermediate beginner in photography, and having now read
many books on the subject, I rate this publication as excellent.
Even for a novice it is clearly written, well explained and gave
some good sources for shopping. Until reading this book I was unaware of filter compatability and the ease of using charts
for plus or minus filtration. Many books on photograpy are a repeat of others, but not this one.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great history & current very usable information., February 12, 2003

By 

Shock Writer (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Variable Contrast Printing Manual (Paperback)

I bought and read every page of all three of Steve Anchell's black and white photo information books: The Variable Contrast Printing Manual, The Film Developing Cookbook, and The Darkroom Cookbook. Why? Because he gives a mix of an historical view plus tells what to pick of the best current chemistries. He does this without bogging down in the actual complexities of a college chemistry course keeping it at a usable technicians level. Since he also tells you why you are using various chemicals or paper his books do not dumb down but instead give you fascinating useful information. Anyone serious about darkroom work will appreciate his insights and commentary about chemistry use. He lists so many historical and current B&W chemical formulas and their use that any B&W experimenter will find the books useful.