I'm looking for some ADVANCED darkroom books. I already bought the two essential "cookbooks" which have helped me a lot improving my technique. Now I'm interested in somrthing more advanced, dealing esp. with photographic chemistry. I found this obscure book at Amazon.com which seems to be the only book available dealing specifically with photographic chemistry, it's called "Chemistry of Photography" by Roger K Bunting. ISBN 0961672404. Has anybody read it?

Also in the list: 1- Gradient Light : The Art and Craft of Using Variable Contrast Paper

2- The Variable Contrast Printing Manual by Steve Anchell.

3- Darkroom Dynamics : A Guide to Creative Darkroom Techniques by Jim Stone.

4- The Elements of Black and White Printing by Carson Graves.

I'd appreciate any suggestions or feedback regarding these books.

Much regards Xosni

-- Xosni (xosni@gega.net), October 03, 2001

Answers

These books are reviewed on Amazon.com. I've not seen any of them myself.

-- Keith Nichols (knichols1@mindspring.com), October 03, 2001.

I have one by Tim Rudman, haven't read much of it yet, but the pictures look like 'advanced' manipulations!

-- Nigel Smith (nlandgl@unite.com.au), October 03, 2001.

appologies.. I missed reading the 'advanced chemistry' part of your question... Tim's book is about printing!

-- Nigel Smith (nlandgl@unite.com.au), October 03, 2001.

I don't think you will find anything more advanced than the two Anchell cookbooks. Any chemistry in the four books you have listed can be found there. I would recommend the Graves book as an excellent advanced printing source and it goes into a little more depth about how paper developers work and how they can be made to suit specific printing needs. One book not on your list is Creative Elements: Darkroom Techniques for Landscape Photography by Eddie Ephraums, also the author of the first book you listed. He does extensive toning of his prints and this book contains some valuable toning formulas and information on use. I would also go to Unblinkingeye.com where there are sveral excellent articles about developers and toning of prints and all pertinent formulas.

-- James Chinn (Jim1341@dellEpro.com), October 04, 2001.

You might want to check out the following: Applied Photographic Theory, Kowaliski, P. (Wiley & Sons/1972) It is written for individuals with a strong background in chemistry, maybe even graduate/Phd level. Its dated 1972, but there is so little that has changed in the basic processes that it is not fundamentally flawed or grossly out of date. Also; it part of a series titled 'Photographic Science and Technology'

Regards,

WW

-- Warren Way (wbway1@msn.com), January 20, 2002.