The MonoChrome 35mm Film Camera: How The Professional Photographer Used B&W Film

The professional photographer has one main objective and this is to earn a living from his work. There is no room for failure of excuses, the jobbing photographer had to achieve sparking results for his client failure to do so would result in financial disaster. Therefore the process the photographers used needed to be economically sound, reliable, repeatable and uncomplicated. Unlike the methods of some enthusiasts who search for a magic formula which will make their work stand out from the crowd. This book guides the photographer to stop chasing rainbows with expensive cameras and lenses. The photographer who wishes to produce Black and White images using film will discover within this book a simple process which will produce sparking prints. One camera - two lenses - filters and lens-hoods is the starting point. There are thoughts on the choice of camera and why the working professional chose the cameras she or he used. The reader may well be surprised at how little equipment the professional photographer actually owned.
Before the age of digital cameras the ability to easily achieve excellent photographic images was a ‘dark art’ to most people. So when a high quality record of a wedding, social event, opening of a factory, images of a industrial process was needed, the photography was trusted to a professional who could guarantee to achieve excellent results.
This era was truly the golden years of professional silver photography. There is now a ‘professional’ on every street corner! Anyone can use the digital camera it is a brilliant innovation and in truth way ahead of the silver process. Even so, film still has an unique quality which cannot be absolutely replicated by digital software and printers.
The author feels the 35mm is a logical choice for anyone interested in the wonderful ‘dark art’ of silver based photography. This book guides the reader to the choice of basic equipment. The choice of film and why a basic approach to exposure is preferable to complex meter reading and calculation. A simple and fool proof method of developing any film is explained.
Finally the basics of film scanning is investigated - The scanner is the simplest way to explore the journey into film. The darkroom is the subject of the second book in the series.
Ian Timothy was a professional photographer who covered anything from weddings to industrial reports. His company was busy and prosperous, eventually a medium sized photofinishing company became part of the successful business. This publication draws upon hands on experience gained over those years. Ian runs a small darkroom and teaches his method of MonoChrome photography to a growing number of photographers who are led to his workshops by previous attendees.