hello here

[Joseph Kashi]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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. r ..

I was attempting, apparently unsuccessfully, to avoid dissing the author while suggesting that other materials might be more useful in troubleshooting the OP's problems.

[jnantz]

I was attempting, apparently unsuccessfully, to avoid dissing the author while suggesting that other materials might be more useful in troubleshooting the OP's problems.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

naah you were successful !
the problem with photography is it looks and sounds easy but it's not as easy as it seems ..
and there's a lot of salesman selling stuff to make it seem easy. takes a lot of practice, like everything else.

[Doremus Scudder]

... Most of the old books you can find online for free were written in an era where concise was a dirty word.

I might submit that most of the "new" literature lacks detail and adequate explanation 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.

That said, what is lacking these days is a good methodology for getting started and learning the ropes as you go. You don't need to master the Zone System or be an expert in photo chemistry, etc., in order to get going and make good photographs.

From your other posts, it looks like you are interested in the Zone System, especially for roll film. See my post there for a quick-starter guide.

Best, and have fun!

Doremus

[monochromeFan]

I might submit that most of the "new" literature lacks detail and adequate explanation 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.

That said, what is lacking these days is a good methodology for getting started and learning the ropes as you go. You don't need to master the Zone System or be an expert in photo chemistry, etc., in order to get going and make good photographs.

From your other posts, it looks like you are interested in the Zone System, especially for roll film. See my post there for a quick-starter guide.

Best, and have fun!

Doremus

I think that my 2nd biggest mistake when starting out with film film in general, i just intended to shoot, develop, and scan. The addition of my enlarger really taught me that what i THOUGHT were good negatives, were truly crap once put under the condenser.

And my goal is to make a good print, and i want to make good negatives because i have had far too many issues with creating a good negative. Sure, i dont mind doing test strips on a negative that have me using a final burn time of 5 seconds at f/11 in order to get texture on a leaf in direct sunlight.

[monochromeFan]

I might submit that most of the "new" literature lacks detail and adequate explanation 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.

That said, what is lacking these days is a good methodology for getting started and learning the ropes as you go. You don't need to master the Zone System or be an expert in photo chemistry, etc., in order to get going and make good photographs.

From your other posts, it looks like you are interested in the Zone System, especially for roll film. See my post there for a quick-starter guide.

Best, and have fun!

Doremus

sent you a PM

[Ulophot]

MonochormeFan, welcome. You are getting lots of answer to your two posts, so I'll not add further except to add my "vote" to two others (not in any way slighting the other contributions posted).

My experience goes back to 1968 in high school. Over the following years of learning and practicing my craft, overlapping my beginning to look at the Zone System, David Vestal's The Craft of Photography was my go-to. Though I no longer own a copy, I recall well many of his illustrations, including a whole series on what under-exposed and underdeveloped negatives -- and vice versa -- look like, as well as a host of other problems that can appear in negatives and how to identify them. For anyone starting out in processing without an experienced, competent, in-person teacher, they can be invaluable. Used copies abound for very little, or you could get it through a library. But I'd get one, if I were you. You can learn a great deal from it. Good teaching is never just, "Do this"; it always includes, "If you did this and this happened, here's what may have caused (or did cause) the problem. Essential.

Second, I'll add my vote to Doremus's counsel. A look at his website will demonstrate his ability, and he does teach, as well. Again, I slight no one else. This forum has a phenomenal membership with seasoned and expert knowledge in all sorts of fields, and is well moderated. In any case, as I indicate above, while there's absolutely nothing wrong in starting with the Zone System (and I find Ansel Adams to be an excellent writer and teacher -- still, after some 50 years studying him), getting some basics under your belt will serve you well in approaching the Zone System.