Good book on using Tri-X type films for documentary/photojournalism/street ???

[SimonPJ]

I have several books covering light and film theory for landscape-style photographic perfection (Adams, etc.)

Are there any good books - either more theoretical, educational style, or practical, memoir style - which really get into how to work with films like Tri-X, HP5 etc for optimising pictorial effects, tonality, etc. in the widely varying light and conditions encountered on a journalistic / documentary assignment.

I realise I've looked at and admired a million of these types of photos, and have developed a good sense for what I love, and what I don't. But when it comes to my own shooting my approach is pretty haphazard - heavily leaning on the forgiving nature of these types of films.

Clearly much successful work is the result of years of graft and craft (I was enjoying Ragnar Axelsson's Last Days of the Arctic last night). Who has written well about it?

Thanks!

Simon

 

[Bill Clark]

One book I own that may interest you, "The Art of Photography," by Bruce Barnbaum.

Now that I have in planted on my lap I'm going to re-read it today!

 

[mfogiel]

If you want to keep it simple, use Tri X @EI 500 and develop in Diafine. You will have a usable range of 12 f stops, if you scan. This is particularly useful when shooting in high contrast situations. For the rest, street photography is about capturing the moment, not so much about tonality. An AE camara is essential, in my opinion.


MF20142128 by mfogiel, on Flickr

 

[erik]

Experience will be your best teacher.

 

[jim_jm]

I second Bill and Franko's recommendations. Both books are excellent.

 

[SimonPJ]

Many thanks for the recommendations.