Post Exposure, Second Edition: Advanced Techniques for the Photographic Printer (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Photographers frequently underestimate the eye's ability to distinguish fine detail in a subject and just what it takes to make a truly sharp photograph..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Advance Praise for Post Exposure:
"The short review is this: buy the book. It is not just another how-to-book, but is filled with theoretical backgrounds to a wide range of photographic questions; it will be an invaluable reference work on your shelves. The section on development inhibiting couplers, for example, is brilliant."
– Shutterbug

"Step-by-step, detail by intricate detail, Ctein takes us from the very beginning of the photographic process, to the most advanced and sophisticated techniques as no other author ever has. From subjects as essential as determining if an enlarging lens is properly centered, to procedures taking the image from exposure to the making of the fine print, Ctein leaves no detail unexplored and wipes away long perpetuated ideas that have no basis in fact. This book will be the key reference text in just about every darkroom dedicated to quality work. It is truly a masterpiece of technical analysis and instruction that answers every elusive question photographers have long wondered about."
-Arthur Kramer, author of "Kramer's Korner" for Camera 35, "View from Kramer" in Modern Photography, and "Pro View" in Popular Photography.

"Post Exposure provides unique background information for printers, including all of Ctein's significant researches into a variety of issues of importance to serious darkroom workers. More intelligent and scientifically literate by far than the standard fare, it is the best such synopsis to be found in any current book directed at a lay audience. Post Exposure is the essence of Ctein's distinguished career as one of the nation's leading magazine writers on photographic technique."
-Mike Johnson, editor, PHOTO Techniques

"Comprising more than a dozen chapters, the book explores not only how we see, but also how film and print material sees. This is a book favored by many photography experts, even prompting PT Contributing Editor Howard Bond to call it "one of the best six books ever written on photography." - Photo Techniques, April 2001

"Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Post Exposure continues to be an indespensable photographic printmaker introduction and reference to the underlying principles and practices needed to produce professional quality photography prints. Post Exposure is a "must" for any photographer aspiring to produce professional quality photographic prints. - Bookwatch, March 2001 -- Review

Review

Advance Praise for Post Exposure:
"The short review is this: buy the book. It is not just another how-to-book, but is filled with theoretical backgrounds to a wide range of photographic questions; it will be an invaluable reference work on your shelves. The section on development inhibiting couplers, for example, is brilliant."
- Shutterbug

"Step-by-step, detail by intricate detail, Ctein takes us from the very beginning of the photographic process, to the most advanced and sophisticated techniques as no other author ever has. From subjects as essential as determining if an enlarging lens is properly centered, to procedures taking the image from exposure to the making of the fine print, Ctein leaves no detail unexplored and wipes away long perpetuated ideas that have no basis in fact. This book will be the key reference text in just about every darkroom dedicated to quality work. It is truly a masterpiece of technical analysis and instruction that answers every elusive question photographers have long wondered about."
-Arthur Kramer, author of "Kramer's Korner" for Camera 35, "View from Kramer" in Modern Photography, and "Pro View" in Popular Photography.

"Post Exposure provides unique background information for printers, including all of Ctein's significant researches into a variety of issues of importance to serious darkroom workers. More intelligent and scientifically literate by far than the standard fare, it is the best such synopsis to be found in any current book directed at a lay audience. Post Exposure is the essence of Ctein's distinguished career as one of the nation's leading magazine writers on photographic technique."
-Mike Johnson, editor, PHOTO Techniques

"Comprising more than a dozen chapters, the book explores not only how we see, but also how film and print material sees. This is a book favored by many photography experts, even prompting PT Contributing Editor Howard Bond to call it "one of the best six books ever written on photography." - Photo Techniques, April 2001

"Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Post Exposure continues to be an indespensable photographic printmaker introduction and reference to the underlying principles and practices needed to produce professional quality photography prints. Post Exposure is a "must" for any photographer aspiring to produce professional quality photographic prints. - Bookwatch, March 2001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 2 edition (October 27, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240804376
• ISBN-13: 978-0240804378
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #176,906 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of tips for the serious printmaker, July 13, 1999

By	Jorge Ma Trevino Garcia "Jorge M. Treviño" (Uruapan, Mich. Mexico) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Post-Exposure: Advanced Techniques for the Photographic Printer (Paperback)

Do you know how to make an unsharp mask for your color negatives? How to evaluate your enlarging lens? Why your variable-contrast prints might be unsharp? These are just three of the unique tips I could found on Ctein's book and that made it worth its price but the whole book, from cover to cover, is superb reading material.

Although the book is assembled from seemingly disconnect articles, it is an out of the ordinary collection of techniques focused on improving your darkroom work.

A must for dedicated darkroom workers.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent discussion of factors which enhance print quality., May 11, 1999

By	R. B. Hallock (Leverett, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Post-Exposure: Advanced Techniques for the Photographic Printer (Paperback)

Ctein indicates up front that this book is not designed as an introduction to printmaking, but is dedicated to teaching the refinements of printmaking. At this the book remarkably successful. Topics include film characteristics and calibration, enlarging lenses and the subject of image sharpness, black and white and color printing, and many tidbits of useful information gleaned form many years of experience and experimentation. Those familiar with and comfortable with graphical information will particularly like the book. From my perspective the section on image sharpness was extremely well done, including a technical discussion about what matters and what does not as well as a tabulation of recommended enlarging lenses and their characteristics. Another good discussion is the thorough presentation of contrast and the effect of various filters on different papers. Although color printing is also covered, even for those who limit themselves to black and white the content in the color sections is interesting. Ctein presents facts for the most part, but on occasion also states his opinions. When he does, he makes it quite clear he is doing so. This is quite simply a superb book, one of the best I have read, and filled with useful information.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An indispensable photographic printmaker introduction, March 16, 2001

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Post Exposure: Advanced Techniques For The Photographic Printer continues to be an indispensable photographic printmaker introduction and reference to the underlying principles and practices needed to produce professional quality photography prints. The clear text fully and cogently explains all of the principles and theories, with a "user friendly" focus on practical techniques illustrated with a number of examples of fine printmaking. All aspects of printmaking are covered included safelight fogging, adequate wash steps in reversal print processing, using litho film masks for dodging and burning-in, new coverage on split-filter printings, the use of Sistan, and more. Post Exposure is a "must" for any photographer aspiring to produce professional quality photographic prints.