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Bernhard J. Suess

Mastering Black-and-White Photography: From Camera to Darkroom Paperback – March 1, 1995

by Bernhard Suess (Author)

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Mastering Black-and-White Photography is an introduction to the techniques of black-and-white photography and a thoughtful exploration of how to use those techniques effectively to develop creative skills. Twenty-five illustrated chapters explain practical and artistic matters in a friendly style, from cameras, lenses, and film to developing, printing, light, and aesthetics. Mastering Black-and-White Photography will help you to understand the nuances surrounding the art and technique of black-and-white photography and to use that understanding to create better photographs.

Print length

240 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Allworth Press
Publication date

March 1, 1995
Dimensions

6.75 x 0.75 x 10 inches
ISBN-10

1880559234
ISBN-13

978-1880559239
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Drawing upon 20 years of experience as an accomplished professional photographer, Suess offers readers a very thorough introduction to black-and-white photography. Virtually everything an amateur needs to know about getting started, from selecting a camera to setting up a darkroom, is covered. The author is not only knowledgeable but writes in a pleasant, conversational tone. His willingness to share his expertise makes this a useful and satisfying book. Although it is geared primarily to amateurs, professionals may also profit from much of the advice presented here. A valuable addition to photography collections in both public and academic libraries; highly recommended.?Raymond Bial, Parkland Coll. Lib., Champaign, Ill.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Bernhard J Suess's work is marked by thoroughness and care. He derives his opinions from careful research and original thinking, and he's good at explaining things in language anyone can understand. His many contributions to Darkroom & Creative Camera Techniques magazine over the years have been of great usefulness to photographers -- Darkroom & Creative Camera Techniques

Enjoy a strong introduction to the basics of black and white photos through an exploration of techniques and craftsmanship which emphasizes building upon basic knowledge of lenses, film, developing techniques and shooting techniques. These are basic instructions tailored for novices and should educate and delight audiences who want strong illustration of techniques. -- Midwest Book Review

From composing, to exposing, to processing, to mounting, to selling, this is a masterful book. Suess explains everything well very well with helpful diagrams and charts. . . . Bolstering the explanations, Suess offers a wealth of practical suggestions to improve your photography, many of which are just as useful when shooting color. . . . Even experienced photographers will find useful information in this book -- Popular Photography

The reader or student is given the information necessary to learn the new skills, but not over-loaded with details that will confuse or complicate the learning process. . . . Mastering Black and White Photography would be an excellent choice as a text for a college or adult level basic photography class -- Shutterbug

Publisher : Allworth Press (March 1, 1995)
Language : English
Paperback : 240 pages
ISBN-10 : 1880559234
ISBN-13 : 978-1880559239
Item Weight : 1.1 pounds
Dimensions : 6.75 x 0.75 x 10 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,014,782 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #144 in Black & White Photography
- #3,295 in Photography Reference (Books)

Customer Reviews:
15 ratings

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4 star		30%
3 star		15%
2 star		9%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Top reviews from the United States

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M. Hollowell

Not the most visually stimulating book, but it is ...

Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2017

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Not the most visually stimulating book, but it is kind of old. It has helpful information for taking photos and developing them.

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Dr Ricardo Davidson

Basic introduction

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2013

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This is a good but very basic introduction to black and white photography, definitely useful to someone who has never done any before or who is coming from the digital side, but of little use to someone with experience.

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World Traveler

Covers all the important information you need to shot and ...

Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2016

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Covers all the important information you need to shot and develop black and white photograhy

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VA2NC

Won't help you become a better photographer.

Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2002

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Much of the information in this book is not specific to black and white photography. It is very generic and could serve as the introduction to a broader book on the topic. The chapters on composition and the "zone system" are disappointingly thin, and there are very few photographs within the book to serve as illustrative examples supporting the text. The paper is of mediocre paperback quality, which makes the few photographs within the book look washed out and featureless. The author says this material is collected from his years of teaching the subject; I'd hate to be one of his students.

5 people found this helpful

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Oystein Lystad

Three Stars

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2015

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J. Cavacini

Excellent Advanced B&W Photographic Instruction by a man that Knows his Craft

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2015

As i stated on my review for Bernie Suess' other book "Creative Black-and-White Photography:

i had Bernie Suess for a photography instructor at Northampton Community College. He was an excellent instructor and his teaching and books were very helpful to me in learning traditional photographic technical skills and techniques. He often used excerpts from the book as part of the course ware (charts, graphs, not-taking for assignments). It's too bad that NCC didn't value adjunct professors as highly as full-time professors, but there was a lot of political trouble at that school at the time and this is a common feature in higher education.

This book is full of more advanced topics. If you have a personal interest in the medium, and the ability to do basic math, you shouldn't find anything difficult in here. Of course, i don't know who really does film and chemical processing any more (i can't seem to sell my enlarger and associated equipment).

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Reverend R. G. Johnson

An excellent Black and White photography manual!

Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2005

This book, as reviewed by others, is not for first time photographers but is a first class help to those who wish to advance into something a little more technical, but essentially

"on the ball" photography. I found the book to be thoroughly comprehensive, sometimes over technical and needing real concentration to understand these basic principles, but well worth the cost of the book. It is a first class addition to any black and white photographer's library. I wish this sort of volume was available when I first started black and white photography 50 years ago!

6 people found this helpful

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William R. Croninger

Excellent intro to BW Photography

Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2006

I have used this text in my introduction to black and white photography course for just over a year. Student response has been universally positive. We have all found it thorough, well written and easily understood by into students. My only "wish" is that the author had included a section on negative faults such as found in Horenstein's: Black and White Photograpy: A Basic Manual.

6 people found this helpful

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Tony10uk

Solid Practical advice on a dying art

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 24, 2014

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This book's first edition was 1995! And revised in 2003.

I say this as the world has changed and that must be taken into account; the number of people doing B&W developing and printing nowadays must be very small.

Here I am writing in 2014. As a kid in the 70s and early 80s I had my own darkroom and was very `into' B&W developing and printing.

Recently I felt the urge to revisit this subject finding that my digital work was too rushed, too flippant and frankly too disappointing. I stare at a screen quite enough at work without filling my hobby time with the same!

So I went out and bought all the darkroom kit I required - all second hand and dead cheap!

But trying to remember what to do and how to do it after thirty years away proved difficult, so I bought this book as a refresher.

For my needs it is an excellent refresher, giving clear practical guidance. Even today's web is thin on this kind of information and it is good to have a book in the hand that sets out how to do things.

Bernhard gives a historical discussion on many areas; I skipped through these but maybe good for some.

The chapter on digital photography was probably added in 2003, and is amusing to look back.

I did learn some things such as "Maximum Black" testing and a better understanding of Variable Contrast paper and exposure control and filters.

He writes in a clear yet quite wordy manner and some chapters are past their sell by date. The quality of the book is OK but the grainy pictures it contains are a waste of space.

Overall, not disappointed with buying this book, but as the author states, you don't learn by reading, you learn by doing.

2 people found this helpful

Michael Reinke

Ein hervorragendes Lehrbuch und Nachschlagewerk für Einsteiger und Fortgeschrittene

Reviewed in Germany on July 22, 2014

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Schritt für Schritt erklärt Suess die Prinzipien der SW-Fotografie und -Verarbeitung. Der Inhalt ist gut verständlich und klar strukturiert, auch Fortgeschrittene Amateure finden hier viele nützliche Tipps und Anregungen.

Die Druckqualität ist nicht die Beste, aber das tut dem Inhalt keinen Abbruch und hält das Buch preiswert.

Eine klare Kaufempfehlung!

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