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Although we're not a bookseller and we don't carry any of the following titles, they are part of a core
library that we've found
incredibly useful in a variety of ways and would highly recommend to anyone working in large format photography,
alternative, or historical processes. Some may be a little technical in their approach, but it never
hurts to stretch your mind a little. After all, photography is a unique blend of science and art, and as such,
has a lot to offer the technically inclined. The titles aren't listed in any particular order or importance, so
feel free to browse through at your leisure. I hope you find our little reading list helpful and if you
have any favorite or particularly useful references that you'd like to share, please drop us a line and let us know about it,
We'd be glad to include it in our list!
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The Silver Sunbeam
by John Towler
This book which was originally published in 1863 was the photographic reference of it's time. And for
that matter, still is for anyone interested in wet plate work and/or expanding their understanding
how silver based photography is done from scratch.
It contains a treasure trove of information regarding collodion photography and provides detailed
descriptions of all the chemicals used, often including methods for making many of them from raw materials
(clearly something not everyone is interested in doing, but the background it provides is fascinating and
broadens one's perspective on the process) so pick and choose among the subjects that apply to your needs.
I would consider this a must read for anyone involved in alternative process photography and particularly collodion work.
I'm not certain if the book is currently in print, but used copies appear to be readily available through
most web-based book sellers.
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Alternative Process Photography
by Christopher James
If you could only have one book on alternative processes, this would have to be it. It covers everything
from cyanotyping, to silver gelatine and everything in between. It's very well organized, clearly understandable,
and easily accessible.
Formulas are presented in commonly used quantities and with easy to follow step by step instructions.
It also includes many helpful references for material sources.
You'll find it equally useful if you're a beginner or a long time practitioner.
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View Camera Technique
by Leslie Stroebel
This book contains a host of information regarding the basic principles of image formation.
There is a fair amount of theory, but lots of practical information as well with plenty of
examples showing the configuration of the camera and the resulting images. Chapters detail
view camera movement, lenses and shutters, using the bellows, films and filters, exposure
and exposure meters, and types of view cameras. Again, I'd consider it one of those
foundation books that should be in everyone's library.
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Overexposure: Health Hazards in Photography
by Susan Shaw
Photography makes use of a wide variety of chemical substances, many of which can
be harmful if not handled properly. This book provides an excellent reference to
the health risks and effects that many of these chemicals can have on the human body. It begins with
an overview of the chemicals and their hazards, then organizes the material by photographic process beginning with
black and white photography, color photography, historical silver processes, non silver photographic
processes, photographic printmaking, and finally conservation and restoration. This is a great
reference to have for a general overview. For those chemicals you are using that this book flags as
potential hazards, be sure to contact your chemical supplier or reference the web to
obtain a current Material Safety Data (MSD) sheet.
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The Camera, The Negative, The Print
by Ansel Adams
This trilogy of books is a solid reference on cameras and silver gelatine photography.
The best of the three in my opinion is The Negative which covers the use of light meters,
films, and development techniques.
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Controls in Black and White Photography
by Richard J. Henry
This particular reference isn't for the faint of heart. It's strictly a numbers and
charts sort of book, and requires a certain familiarity with densitometry,
but if you're one to dig in and read through it, it's a rigorous treatment of the effects of
time, temperature, exposure, dilution, etc on film and paper processing. It was published in 1983
and is becoming a little bit dated, but still worth a look.
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