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 Through his Fine Print Photographer’s
Workshop Barry Thornton has patiently coached professional
and serious amateur photographers to a true understanding
of the making of fine monochrome photographs. In ‘Elements’,
now in its second edition, after the first was a complete
sell-out, he shares the theory and the practice, illustrated
by over 60 of his own immaculate photographs, considering
both the technical and aesthetic perspectives.
Barry starts from the view that you cannot
make a fine print from a coarse negative – it has become
something of a catch phrase for him. In his experience, the
most common deficiency among would-be fine printers is in
original exposure and development. He explains, using practical
examples, how to visualise the final image, and how to use
available techniques to realise the desired result.
‘Elements’ provides photographers
with the tools to release their sensitivity and creativity
and to produce fine monochrome prints which fulfil the potential
of the subjects.
But all this sounds fairly mechanical. What
is so different and appealing about the book is the way that
Barry ‘chats’ to his reader. Each piece of technical
expertise comes wrapped in an anecdote from his life, or insight
into his emotions. The reader ends the book feeling that they
have got to know Barry personally. This means that ‘Elements’
is no pure technical manual, but a book that it is difficult
to put down at times because we want to know "what happened
next".
The book is a generous 290mm x 250mm hardback
with 160 pages on heavy semi-matt coated paper with rich duotone
images. There is plenty of rewarding reading, not just captioned
pictures.
"I found Elements both engrossing and
genuinely useful…an excellent volume worthy of space
on any black and white worker’s bookshelf. Buy now!"
Jon Tarrant, Professional Photographer
magazine
"Elements has to be essential photographic
reading"
Ed Buziak, Darkroom User magazine
"An eminently practical book: one full of
beautiful pictures and hard won expertise"
Harry Kitchen
Signed copies of ‘Elements’ are available direct
from Barry Thornton at £24.95 post and packing free
in the U.K., plus £3 in Europe, plus £8
rest of the world (cheques in UK only please payable to
B. Thornton, International money orders or bankers drafts
only elsewhere please). Fine Print Photographer’s Workshop,
P.O. Box 17, St. Pierre Parkwall, Caldicot, Monmouthshire
NP26 5UF
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