Whats the best book to teach someone how to print using a vc head.
Whats the best book to teach someone how to print using a vc head.
I don't know if it is the best one, but a very good book is "The Variable Contrast Printing Manual", Steve Anchell, Focal Press, 1997.
How about reading The Elements of Black-and-White Printing by Carson Graves(Focal Press) ? In the chapter 6, you will find some hints of Split Filter Exposure on VC paper.
The current edition of Calumet's special catalog (the Photographic Arts Library), lists several books on this topic, including one entitled: "Gradient Light: The Art and Craft of Using Variable- Contrast Paper," by Eddie Ephraums. They also have the Steve Anchell book that Alan mentioned above.
I have the Gradient Light book and did not find it worth it. The author shows many examples of split grade printing and toning without a good discription of how he got there. It seems to be based on materials only available in the UK with no US equivlient. ( I don't know where you are). If you don't have "The Print" from the A. Adams series I would pick one up, buy lots of paper a set of filters and play, it's not something that can be absorbed from a book. Look at a lot of prints in a gallery (not in a book) and experiment until you can match.If your local newspaper still does B&W call and ask if you can watch the process (not a source of fine prints but at least a foot in the door). Like learning to drive a car, printing must be done not read about.
I have the anchell book, i did not find it as a valuable resource. I should have been called printing for dummies, its quite basic and overly general. I was looking for an authoritative text on the topic.
But thanks to everyone for the suggestions.
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