The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes

Photographic artists and students of alternative process photography will welcome this new edition of Christopher James' The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes. This significantly expanded edition is a full-color, lavishly illustrated, comprehensive resource that explores every aspect of alternative process image making. With his highly conversational writing style, James explores the techniques, processes, idiosyncrasies, history, and cultural connections that are such a significant part of the genre. Best of all, James makes it extremely accessible, providing clear instructions and practical workflow advice. The book delves into a vast menu of alternative and traditional options, among them: calotype, salted paper, cyanotype, argyrotype, chrysotype, POP, kallitype, ambrotype/wet collodion, Van Dyke, platinum/palladium, Ziatype, gelatin dry plate emulsions, carbon, gum bichromate, albumen, hand-applied emulsions, paper, alternative imaging systems, and digital negative production for alternative process image making. This book has become the unanimous standard reference text for alternative process photography, one that students love to read and work from. Not only does this definitive work make the most complex ideas easy to understand, it is conversational, comfortable, inspirational, and fun to read- a tremendous resource and a treasure trove of alternative process images. "The first edition was a stunning achievement, and one I felt that was not likely to be superceded. Five short years later Christopher James has created a very new work and a new standard. The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes: 2nd Edition is, by far, the best alternative photographic process book ever!" - Richard Sullivan, Founder and Co-Owner, Bostick & Sullivan "If I could only have one photography book this would be it." -Timothy Whelan, Photographic Books

Including his own work among that of featured photographic artists, James (Art Institute of Boston) explores contemporary and traditional innovative alternative and non-silver processes in a conversational, opinionated manner. He overviews historical development and options for the pinhole camera, the negative, digital art forms, plastic cameras, and specific processes (e.g., cyanotype, kallitypes, image transfer). Appends information on safety, unit conversions, setup for a UV exposure unit and workspace, curriculum/workshop inventory, material and Internet resources.

Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Christopher James is an internationally recognized artist whose paintings and photographs have been exhibited in galleries and museums in this country and abroad. His work has been published and shown extensively, including shows in The Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The George Eastman House, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art and he has lectured and given alternative process workshops throughout the world. James taught at Harvard University from 1978—1991 and is currently the Chair of the Photography at The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University.