top of page
ROBYN SALT
FINE ART STUDENT
This is an online copy of my Bibliography / Literature Review: An analysis of the sources that support my EPQ title 'Constructing a Working Darkroom'. The full copy can be found in my Google Drive folder.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
RATING SCALE KEY:
Not Useful
Less Useful
Average
More Useful
Useful
ARTICLES
Nicholson, R. (2011). London's Last Darkrooms.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
Tooth, R. (2007). Building a Home Darkroom.
Available: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/oct/27/photography.photographyfeatures46.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
Stephenson, S. (2013). In the Darkroom with W. Eugene Smith.
Available:http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2013/11/20/in-the-darkroom-with-w-eugene-smith/. Last accessed 20th August 2015.
BOOKS
Charles, D (1954). Photographic Enlarging. London: Iliffe. p1-116.
Curtin, D P (1991). Into Your Darkroom - Step by Step. Amherst: Amherst Media. p1-90.
Duren, L and Mcdonald, W (1990). Build Your Own Home Dark-Room. Amherst: Amherst Media. p1-154.
Ferguson, M (2000). Digital Darkroom Masterclass. Oxford: Focal Press. p1-214.
Langford, M (1981). The Darkroom Handbook. New York: Dorling Kindersley Limited. p1-352.
Langford, M (1998). Story of Photography. Oxford: Focal Press. P1-224.
Marien, M W (2012). 100 Ideas That Changed Photography. New York: Laurence King Publishing. p1-216.
Webb, J (2005). Creative Vision. Lausanne: AVA Publishing. p1-192.
WEBSITES
Hall, P. (2015). Essential Guide to Darkroom Printing.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
Knight, C. (2011). B&W Darkroom Paper Bible.
Available: http://www.lomography.com/magazine/65644-b-and-w-darkroom-paper-bible.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
Kodak Representative. (2005). Darkroom Designing for Amateur Photographers.
Available: http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/ak3/ak3.pdf.
Last accessed 20th Aug 2015.
Ortwein, A. (2008). Darkroom Supplies for Film Photography Printing.
Available: http://www.guidetofilmphotography.com/photo-film-darkroom.html.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
VIDEOS
Agar, W. (2013). Making a B&W Print.
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVTfoUrMTmA.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
Day, M. (2014). Developing B&W Film.
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I41UExVJWI.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
Durong, T A. (2013). The Art of Analog Film.
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g54sFXAzP8.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
LITERATURE REVIEW
To better understand the sources of my bibliography I will write a short review of each that I examined. This will help me to extract the most relevant topics that will contribute more fully to the needs of my project. The most important aspects that I need to gain knowledge of include darkroom design, equipment and processes. The following are the different sources I researched in chronological order and my analysis of them.
1) Article Research
I wanted my first idea of darkrooms to be of a more professional nature and explained by a source that would be more trustworthy by being written by a writer, not just darkroom hobbyists and enthusiasts.
Stephenson, S. (2013). In the Darkroom with W. Eugene Smith.
Available:http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2013/11/20/in-the-darkroom-with-w-eugene-smith/. Last accessed 20th August 2015.
The first article that I found was written by Sam Stephenson. This article follows the life of photographer W. Eugene Smith on his discovery of photography as well as showcasing photos he produced. This has not provided me with more in depth information as instead of focusing on the darkroom, the article is about the developer himself. I have not found the article to be useful, other than giving me a visual of the quality of professional prints, giving me something to aim for. Also, the article is written by an unknown author as further research of Stephenson revealed nothing which make him less reputable and less valid as a source.
Tooth, R. (2007). Building a Home Darkroom.
Available:http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/oct/27/photography.photographyfeatures46.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
This article was written by The Guardian’s appointed photography expert Roger Tooth. Knowing that the author has likely been chosen by the board of this broadsheet newspaper, increases his credibility. Tooth’s knowledge shows in the content of his writing as instead of writing opinion he writes in facts and instruction. The title ‘Building a Home Darkroom’ makes the article more relevant to my project as I am constructing my darkroom in my house. Therefore I will find the content of this particularly constructive to future darkroom progression. The most useful content includes the equipment list which gives me an accurate first impression of how many items I may have to acquire for my own project. Altogether I found this article to be particularly useful to my project by giving me an overview of what is expected in darkroom construction.
Nicholson, R. (2011). London's Last Darkrooms.
Available:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/photography/8313258/Richard-Nicholson-Londons-last-darkrooms.html.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
Written by the professional photographer Richard Nicholson with diploma level qualifications in film, I believed this to be a source that could shed light on the goings on of the darkroom. This article was a homage, acting as more of a gallery providing a bank of photos of the few remaining darkrooms in London - linking to the article title ‘London’s Last Darkrooms’. The article lacked contextual information that I could develop my own ideas from, instead focusing on imagery. Without an informative nature, I could not withdraw quotes, hints or instruction that would build upon my bank of knowledge of the darkroom. However, it is interesting to notice the lack of darkrooms which conveys that this is a dying art.
2) Video Research
The lack of information in the articles prompted me to further my research to a more visual source. Youtube contained few videos of an educative nature and I decided to analyse these as watching developers at work in the darkroom would be a different method of learning.
Agar, W. (2013). Making a B&W Print.
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVTfoUrMTmA.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
The speaker in this video is professor Will Agar, a professional photographer. He is a highly credible source as he educates as a profession and he will have taught the methods of the darkroom multiple times to others. As well as this, he has an MA in photography showing that he not only educates but has been educated, giving him a large bank of knowledge. This is evident in his video as he walks through all steps that must be taken for darkroom printing. Taking note of the instructions as well as hints and tips, has given me a large insight into how I will be working in my own darkroom. However, I have only gained knowledge of the process of the darkroom and still am lacking in the area of equipment and design. Furthermore, Agar’s process suits professional printing whilst I am working at an amateur level making the information less relevant to my project.
Day, M. (2014). Developing B&W Film.
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I41UExVJWI.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
Based upon this lack of information I chose to study further videos. For this source the speaker was Matt Day who is a professional photographer who hasn’t studied or gained qualifications in this area, making his information questionable and less valid. In despite of this, his instructions are easier to follow as he is more informative in a concise way. He also positions the camera from different viewpoints from around the room giving me a better idea of the design of a darkroom. Also, Day explains the equipment needed for the process as well as ways that I can produce equipment myself to save money. The sorts of tips are particularly useful for me as I am on a limited budget and the equipment will be my largest expenditure.
Durong, T A . (2013). The Art of Analog Film.
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g54sFXAzP8.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
This video takes the form of a short documentary based on professional darkroom photographer Billy Mork. The was produced by student Thai Anh Durong who reduces the validity of the source as they are studying film, not darkroom printing and therefore the video has an entertainment value rather than informative value. The video doesn’t relate to fact or instructions but focuses on the thoughts of Mork. This makes the source particularly unuseful.
3) Website Research
As I still lacked the detailed information of processes I consulted more sources. Websites would offer a mix of imagery and information that I could analyse as well as having a broader range to choose and study.
Kodak Representative. (2005). Darkroom Designing for Amateur Photographers.
Available:http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/ak3/ak3.pdf.
Last accessed 20th Aug 2015.
This guide was written by an unknown source, however they are likely to be reputable as they are writing as a Kodak representative. Kodak are a well known camera manufacturer meaning that the author will have extensive knowledge of photographic processes. However, this source outlines the design of the darkroom without explaining processes or equipment. The content that it does cover is particularly relevant to my project as the designs are divided for the reader's preference meaning I could pick and follow the design most relevant to me. Altogether, the way that the author has set out their information makes their instructions particularly accessible to me, especially when working at an amateur level.
Sanderson, A. (2015). Essential Guide to Darkroom Printing.
Available:http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/technique/expert_advice/essential-guide-to-darkroom-printing-44370.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
Andrew Sanderson, the author of this source is a highly respected all round professional, teacher and printer as well as manager of his own workshops all in the area of photography. This dynamic mix makes the author reputable and his writing more credible as he is writing from his education and personal experience. The source acts as a guide by containing more directional and instructive advice. The information is laid out in a clear way with lists and writing partly in note form making it easy to follow. Furthermore, there are visual aids through use of imagery and in particular the source contains process imagery making the overall darkroom process easy to follow and repeat. The source also contains a section dedicated to possible risks that come with darkrooms as well as trouble shooting so that I could self-diagnose and solve any problems with my prints. Overall, I have found this a highly useful source particularly as it has been written for my demographic as an amateur by being published by the magazine firm ‘Amateur Photographer’.
Ortwein, A. (2008). Darkroom Supplies for Film Photography Printing.
Available: http://www.guidetofilmphotography.com/photo-film-darkroom.html.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
When reading about the author Andrew Ortwein, it became obvious that he is a digital photography specialist which makes me doubt whether his advice on the topic of more traditional techniques is well informed. This source contains a smaller amount of information and focuses purely on the physical design on the darkroom including planning of wet and dry sides. Focusing on this aspect has taught me in more fine detail about one area and to be able to construct and work in my own darkroom my knowledge needs to be more extensive than this.
Knight, C. (2011). B&W Darkroom Paper Bible.
Available:http://www.lomography.com/magazine/65644-b-and-w-darkroom-paper-bible.
Last accessed 20th August 2015.
The author of this source named Cameron Knight is a photojournalist who lacks evidence of an education in the creative arts. As he is a journalist his writing may have the purpose to entertain rather than inform. Also his views and advice may be subject to bias or personal opinion rather than having a sound factual grounding. In despite of this the information that he does share is particularly useful as the differences between the types of paper that can be bought for darkroom developing had not yet been discussed in past research. Using the information provided by Knight I can therefore choose which paper brand would have the best qualities for my project.
4) Book Research
To cover the areas that I still lacked knowledge of, mainly the area of darkroom equipment, I decided to study books. I have found the manual form of past research sources to be the most informative way of accessing large amounts of relevant information so I wanted this to be my focus.
Ferguson, M (2000). Digital Darkroom Masterclass. Oxford: Focal Press. p1-214.
Max Ferguson is a freelance photographer lacking in qualifications to prove his credibility. He is however a professional freelance writer who would have knowledge of research and editing so could have produced a source of useful information. Although, as I began to read it became obvious that the aim of Ferguson’s writing was to transfer techniques used in the darkroom to the digital platform Photoshop. Due to being based on a different topic this book didn’t contain any information that improved my darkroom understanding.
Langford, M (1998). Story of Photography. Oxford: Focal Press. P1-224.
I have studied two books written by Michael Langford, this being the first. Langford works primarily in photography even working as a tutor at a top art school in the UK. The fact that he worked and educated in a highly professional field makes him a credible source for my research. He has written over 25 books on the subject of photography proving that he has specialist knowledge in the area I am researching. In despite of this, this book is based on the history of photography not it’s processes. Although learning of the history of the darkroom may be interesting, it doesn’t aid in the progression of my project.
Marien, M W (2012). 100 Ideas That Changed Photography. New York: Laurence King Publishing. p1-216.
This writer is unknown and less established in the area of photography writing. Marien has however proven to have researched this area to a great depth as this book considers 100 aspects of photography. The only mention of darkrooms gives a short explanation without instructional advice. I was unable to access any relevant information from her choice of topic meaning the book isn’t useful for my project.
Webb, J (2005). Creative Vision. Lausanne: AVA Publishing. p1-192.
Jeremy Webb is another credible writer due to having experience of 25 years in the field and being a more current author with more photographic books being published recently. This book acted as more of a tool for inspiration rather than to instruct. It encourages readers to try out experimentation methods to change their photography. Therefore the information that this book contained was not relevant to darkrooms, only photography.
Charles, D (1954). Photographic Enlarging. London: Iliffe. p1-116.
This was a book that was referred to me by a darkroom expert that I had interviewed beforehand. I attempted to research further about the artist and book online but as the book was published on a small scale 61 years prior to my research, there was no background information. Therefore, I had to bear in mind that the amount of darkroom knowledge that the author had is unknown, making my source less credible. In addition, the book is in the form of a detailed description of the enlarger without mention of other darkroom aspects. I could take forward little amount of relevant information making this source particularly unuseful as reading the book and processing its information was time consuming.
Curtin, D P (1991). Into Your Darkroom - Step by Step. Amherst: Amherst Media. p1-90.
I found this book to be most relevant to my topic. Firstly, the author Dennis Curtis has written more than 40 manual style books so can be considered a great teacher. A few of these books primarily focus on the darkroom, with this describing the design, equipment and processes of the darkroom. The book is divided into four categories as well as chapters and steps, that were easy to follow as well as having a range of photos and diagrams that I could easily make notes from to better understand my darkroom. It focuses primarily on black and white development so steps that are described will be the steps that I myself will need to take when developing. Altogether, I find this book highly useful and will use as a reference when planning for my project.
Duren, L and Mcdonald, W (1990). Build Your Own Home Dark-Room. Amherst: Amherst Media. p1-154.
The second book that I was recommended by a photography expert was ‘Build your own home darkroom’. It was co-written by two writers equal in credibility, experience in photography and education. Having two authors means that the book content had to be approved from two viewpoints making the information more valid. This book contained well put together visual aids including photos and diagrams as well as instructions to make the book easy to follow in a manual form. Also, the book contained specific sections written for amateurs making the book especially accessible to me. The book only covered one of the three aspects that I was researching but for the area of darkroom design I am now confident in my knowledge to progress with my own darkroom.
Langford, M (1981). The Darkroom Handbook. New York: Dorling Kindersley Limited. p1-352.
This again was written by credible source Michael Langford. However, he takes a more relevant approach by focusing on the darkroom only. This book also acts a manual with instructions that I can take notes from and then use in the future. Langford covers the topics that I need understanding of including process, equipment and design however, these amount to only a small section of the book. Instead a lot of the book is dedicated to professional techniques such as use of specialist materials and colour printing. Therefore, the book is not fully relevant to my project and made less useful.
bottom of page