Analogue photography and development: your own darkroom

(Updated 4th edition 2022)

Analogue photography is currently enjoying steadily growing popularity again and so I am very pleased to be able to offer the now 4th edition of my book here.

This book is intended for all those who either want to get started with film-based black and white photography or those who, after years of digital abstinence, long for the smell of photo chemicals, the atmospheric red light and the feel of handmade black and white prints.

The moment the film is taken out of the developing tank, the second in which the image appears on paper for the first time: this is where you can feel the magical fascination that still characterizes analog photography. With a variety of recording and processing materials, it offers many creative ways of influencing the image result.

The book helps you set up your own photo lab, deals with the practical basics of darkroom work, gives an overview of currently available black and white film types, photo papers, laboratory chemistry and technology and guides you step by step from exposed film to the finished print. Numerous tips from years of personal practice should help to make getting started easy and, if possible, without any discouraging failed attempts."

Marc Stache

graduate photo designer

Author and owner of Edition Argentum

• Black and White Film Basics
• The "real" black-and-white film
• Photographing with Film
• Your own darkroom
• film development
• photo paper
• prints on photo paper
• image retouching
• Digital data for the analog darkroom
• archiving and presentation
• Avoiding dust and contamination
• safety and environmental protection
• Common Mistakes
• Checklist »Initial Equipment«

press reviews

"Lots of useful tips from an experienced specialist who hardly leaves the reader without an answer in this book. In addition, the book is excellently illustrated, with pictures that make the step-by-step procedure easier or clarify the objects and utensils described." (fotointern.ch, 08/2019)

»Overall, "Analog photography and development" is currently one of the most basic and best explained textbooks on analog photography and laboratory work. The author is very keen to pass on knowledge about analog photography.« (fotopaed.de, 04/2019)

"I can recommend this book by Marc Stache without reservation. If you plan to get into black and white film photography, then you will learn all the necessary steps in a pleasant way." (Matthias Haltenhof Photography, 08/2018)

»If you don't want to dig through the many individual and scattered articles on the Internet, you can find all the standard knowledge for a well-made hand print here, from a contemporary perspective.« (Analoge-Fotografie.net, 03/2017)

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