darkroom and processing

I am writing this review in order to warn new-comers to the field of photography against buying it. Although the title specifies, "for beginners through experts," this book almost requires a degree to comprehend it. Techniques discussed are not for beginners! The book insists you need to spend vast amounts of money and time to develop prints; this is untrue. In fact, a beginner would need to read 6 chapters of the book, which are extremely confusing, before being able to develop a black-and-white print. The process could quite easily be explained in less than a page.

In short, I do not recommend anyone buy this terrible book.

As it says on the book's cover, for beginners through experts. Basic indeed! The author covers virtually every subject in photofinishing from basic black & white printing through color processing & printing with various films, papers and chemistry to delving into the digital darkroom! The author explains each subject in entertaining and conversational style to build the foundation for a more detailed and thorough explanation of the science & art of custom darkroom procedures and techniques. Photographs, illustrations and tables compliment the text. Loaded with information making it a valuable reference book even for those of us who have been doing custom black & white and color darkroom work for 20 years! If you have only one book on this subject, this is the book to own. The Basic Darkroom Book third edition is a must have.