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Photo Book Reviews

AMPHOTO's Guide to Digital Black and White Printing(AMPHOTO) by George Schaub Reviewed by Tina Maas George Schaub shows you some tips and tecniques to get great black and white digital prints in this technical and informative guide. Article rating: 7.50

George Schaub, accomplished lecturer and author of several other Amphoto books including “Using your digital Camera”, “Professional Techniques for the Wedding Photographer” and “A Guide to Creative Digital Photography” has recently completed his latest book “Digital Black and White Printing”. Photographers already familiar with his books will be delighted to expand their knowledge into the field of professional digital Black and White Photography.

Schaub’s hands-on approach and easy to follow instructions are accompanied by clear examples of before and after pictures, which have made him an ever more popular teacher. Digital photography is the hot topic at the moment and his book eloquently describes how to use a modern technique to achieve the traditional black and white look with all the exquisite tonal values, great contrast and subtle shades of colour tones for the increasing demands on photographers in our modern age.

The book is structured comprehensively into six chapters that range from the introduction of the beauty of black and white photography to basic elements of a black and white print. One chapter delves into explaining in depth all the digital tools available another describes the appropriate equipment and one gives advice on paper and ink.

Using only his own work as instructive examples throughout the book, it becomes a showcase for his own, striking photographs and a real acknowledgment of Schaub’s skills as a master printer of the black and white image.

When changing over from color to monochrome, one needs to acknowledge the different ways of looking at a composition as well as light but once that is accomplished the medium leaves more room for artistic expression and is rich in tradition and nostalgic associations.

Primarily the book is a guide to technical know-how with its detailed explanations of tonal values, compressed tones, contrast, highlight control and shadow detail but within this monumental task Schaub does not neglect the artistic component and gently guides the student along the difficult, intertwining roads of technical accomplishment and artistic vision.

© 2005 George Schaub / Courtesy of AMPHOTO

© 2005 George Schaub / Courtesy of AMPHOTO

After laying down the groundwork of explaining exposure and defining key terminology within black and white printing, Schaub looks at optimising the original digital data obtained either directly from a digital camera or from a scan and illuminates the significance of terms such as resolution, file sizes and different file formats.

© 2005 George Schaub / Courtesy of AMPHOTO

© 2005 George Schaub / Courtesy of AMPHOTO

George Schaub then goes on to quite detailed Photoshop lessons including the use of layers, histograms, levels and curves as well as demonstrating the burn and dodge tools and the sharpening of images. Throughout the book extra tips are set apart in grey boxes so they are easy to find when needed and the Photoshop sections contain reprints of the actual windows of each function to leave nothing to the imagination.

In his last chapter Schaub gives an overview of how to set-up a picture for printing, discusses different kinds of papers and inks and touches on issues such as a paper’s archival quality and the benefits of printing profiles.

This self contained book can be read from beginning to end and is also a useful reference guide, starting with the basics before moving on to more specialized tools and tricks for pros. There is something in it for everyone; even browsing through some chapters will improve your skills and give you a deeper understanding of the magic that Photoshop can accomplish for your photographs.

© 2005 George Schaub / Courtesy of AMPHOTO

© 2005 George Schaub / Courtesy of AMPHOTO

 

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the photogrphy is great, stunning perspective!!!!! Posted by: carla Sep 28, 2006 @ 8:22 AM EST

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