want to learn printing

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juno_lau

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Hi,
I met a RFF member recently and he told me that I can rent a darkroom in NYC for just a few bucks.

So I think I should go and try printing some pictures as I have some paper, which were sitting in a drawer for 5-6 yrs...

However... I dont know much about printing (so as developing, but I am lazy and will probably try Rodinal 😛).
Could you recommend a book, which could be useful for a beginner?

I have "the Negative". Should I just go and get "the Print"?
 
I'd get something like Henry Horenstein's book or David Vestal's "The Craft of Photography". The first is decent and not too expensive, the second is also very good and available for pennies used.
 
juno_lau said:
Hi,
I met a RFF member recently and he told me that I can rent a darkroom in NYC for just a few bucks.

So I think I should go and try printing some pictures as I have some paper, which were sitting in a drawer for 5-6 yrs...

However... I dont know much about printing (so as developing, but I am lazy and will probably try Rodinal 😛).
Could you recommend a book, which could be useful for a beginner?

I have "the Negative". Should I just go and get "the Print"?
Click to expand...

I'd go with Fred Picker's "Zone VI Workshop" as I tried Ansel's books and found them heavy going.
 
i took a class before.
5 yrs ago?
that's why i got the paper.

it was a 10 classes course which spent 2 classes for printing.
I think i printed... maybe 4 pictures there...,
but it was so long ago.
I roughly know about the work flow
and i would like to learn more now as the darkroom place is affordable and accessible to me
 
Then go grab a book and a desire to teach yourself. While I was teaching myself, there were a variety of books I read, but the two I mentioned above were the best intro books I felt I sampled. The new Way Beyond Monochrome is good, but possibly a bit too detailed for a beginner. And maybe verbose - it's encyclopedic and that's not always good. Another book to look for is Tim Rudman's "Master Printing Course". I've yet to master or even try most of the stuff in that book, but it is inspirational.
 
Tim Gray said:
Then go grab a book and a desire to teach yourself. While I was teaching myself, there were a variety of books I read, but the two I mentioned above were the best intro books I felt I sampled. The new Way Beyond Monochrome is good, but possibly a bit too detailed for a beginner. And maybe verbose - it's encyclopedic and that's not always good. Another book to look for is Tim Rudman's "Master Printing Course". I've yet to master or even try most of the stuff in that book, but it is inspirational.
Click to expand...

I'll second Tim Rudmans book.

p.s. Adams "The Print" is not a good book for learning to print from.
 
Last edited:
offtopic: Im coming to the states on March for 2 weeks. Any lab in NY where I can drop rolls from a free weekend at NY and have them shipped to Orlando, FL?
I'd like to avoid the Rx and not ask the TSA guys to put apart my rolls as I'd prefer to follow the rules strictly.
Any hints for this and a Nice Hotel in NY?
pls send me a pm to not be obtrusive with the post (posted in offtopic section but nobody answered)
sry for the offtopic
thx

rodrigo
 
Looks like it's out of print judging by that price. I think I paid $25 for it a couple of years ago.

It's definitely good, but I don't recall how much of the basics it covers - setting exposure, simple grade selection, etc.
 
Tim Gray said:
Looks like it's out of print judging by that price. I think I paid $25 for it a couple of years ago.

It's definitely good, but I don't recall how much of the basics it covers - setting exposure, simple grade selection, etc.
Click to expand...

So I should go for The Photographer's Master Printing Course rather than Way Beyond Monochrome?

Maybe I should order 2 copies...
 
juno_lau said:
So I should go for The Photographer's Master Printing Course rather than Way Beyond Monochrome?

Maybe I should order 2 copies...
Click to expand...

Rudmans book uses an intuitive method of describing what to do and lets you experiment using your instincts. Way beyond monochrome is a technical book and teaches you to print by numbers. Take your pick. Personally I'd go for Rudmans book, its more about creativity IMO.
 
Last edited:
I agree with tlitody. Personally, I've been more inspired by Rudman's book. On the other hand, Way Beyond Monochrome is a huge (500 pages?) and recently came out in a new edition. The previous out of print version was going for many hundreds of dollars on the used market. It's definitely a good book and a great reference with lots of pictures; it's just not what I'd necessarily recommend someone just getting things as it's a bit technical, sometimes in a pointless fashion.

Les Mcclean also has a book that is worth flipping through if you can find a cheap copy. If you have some spare cash, buying 2 or 3 books won't hurt. 😀
 
ordered a copy of Rudman's book.
Will try printing 1st and probably buy the Way beyond monochrome if I want to be more technical.

Read the sample pages on amazon and I do like the description in number,
but i am tight on budget...
better keep money on my 1st lens

hahahaha
 
A class is a good idea because it will get you up to a good level more quickly and with less frustration than if you are learning from a book.
 
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