Working in Black & White

David Präkel runs his own photographic training workshops in Northumberland, UK. He has enjoyed a successful and diverse career in journalism, photography and education and has taught at all levels in universities, colleges, schools in both the UK and the US as well as the prestigious Kodak Imaging Training Centre in Harrow, London.

• How to get the most out of this book. Introduction. Basic theory: Blach and white and greyscale; History; Photograms; Colour to black and white; Filtration; Contrast. The art of black and white: Learning to 'see' in black and white; Previsualisation and composition; The great themes; Older cameras/lenses for a unique look. Lighting: Quality; Direction; Subject contrast; Lighting contrast; Subject brightness range; Metering; High-key and low-key imagery; Infrared. Capturing black and white: Film and developer; The 'look' of film; Staining developers; Exposure index; Chromogenic film; Film grain; Digital noise; The Zone System; Tone compression and expansion; Instant black-and-white film. Realising the image: Printing to match the contrast of the film; Fixed-grade and variable-contrast papers; Scanning film; Local exposure control; Paper choice; Contact printing; Digital negatives; Liquid emulsion; Colour to black and white; Greyscale conversions; Products for a 'film' look; Black-only printing; The future. Reintroducing colour: Toning; Digital toning; Duotones, tritones and quadtones; Oils, pastels and pencils on prints; Digital hand rendering. Conclusion. Contacts. Glossary. Acknowledgements.

"It's a strong book with a wealth of good information, backed up with quality printing and imagery. Thoroughly recommended for all black-and-white aficionados. - Better Digital Magazine Australia, March 2009Highly relevant and far more up-to-date than what was in use. Accessible, with useful exercises well laid out. - Mary Ann Kennedy, Edinburgh Napier University, UK"