¯\_(ツ)_/¯Originally Posted by monochromeFan
sorry for being so clueless ( and for seeming snarky ). I was just thumbing through my copy, what are the materials that aren't available anymore, and the bad advice he gives? generally speaking the use of film, paper light and photo chemistry ( and a camera ) is what his book teaches, and these materials seem to be available ...nothing has really changed regarding how they work ( for the last 100+ years ). the book is what a lot of people suggest because its pretty straightforward and every high school and college photo department used to use this book as a beginner's how-to manual for photo 1 and 2 classes for decades. I guess the difference is when it is/was a manual for a class, the teachers were always there and answered any questions when they come up... and students are all using the same film 35mm manual cameras, rc paper and probably sprint chemistry, not pyro developer or 90 year old crystalized rodinal, glass plates from 1900, or something moldy 1960s tri-x and poly contrast RC paper found for cheeps in a 2nd hand shop and a camera whose shutter hasnt' been CLAd since purchase from someone cleaning out an estate sale.. and sadly the only way to get questions answered is long distance via text+email ...
there's a lot of stuff on the internet ( videos &c ) people publish that is really unhelpful and unnecessary and overcomplicate what seems to be a simple process ... usually bracketing and test strips and making a print and viewing it is all one needs to do ( which seems to be what my copy talks about ) not overly complicated log charts and densitometry work to see if the black is really dark enough black, and heady zone system stuff ..
if your local area has a photo class at a community college it would probably worth its weight in gold to go and take a hands on class with a teacher who can answer any questions you may have in real-time. or better yet, if you have found a photographer online whose work you admire ( who does well what you want to do ) maybe contact them via email and see if they will give you a 1 on 1 workshop to help you get over some of the early stumbling blocks you have encountered .. who knows maybe it is just 1 or 2 tiny things you are doing wrong that you haven't noticed you are doing, and when you realize it you'll have an "AH HA" moment and be doing what you want a little bit better ..
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There's a lot to know in order to do black-and-white film photography well, especially if you are making prints in the darkroom. None of it is really difficult, though; it's just a lot. Take your time and don't expect to know everything so quickly. 
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