3 New Darkroom Books Reshaping Analog Photography in 2025

Steve Anchell's decades of experience in analog photography culminate in this thoroughly revised fifth edition, which bridges traditional darkroom techniques with today's digital workflows. You learn specific chemical recipes for developing, fixing, and toning, alongside advanced processes like split-printing and solarization, all supported by vivid examples from renowned photographers. The book also guides you through planning your darkroom space and safely handling materials, making it a solid resource for anyone looking to deepen their practical skills beyond digital convenience. If you're serious about mastering film and darkroom craft, this book offers detailed, hands-on knowledge that suits both dedicated practitioners and advanced students.

What started as a personal journey through friendship and mentorship became a vivid exploration of photographic craft and history in Gary Schneider's account of Peter Hujar. Schneider, both Hujar's posthumous printer and subject, reveals not only the technical nuances of darkroom printing but also the emotional layers behind the images shaped during a tumultuous era in New York City. You gain insight into the intimate process of image making, from the physical act of printing to the complex social backdrop of the early AIDS crisis. This book is a fitting companion if you're drawn to photographic technique enriched by personal narrative and cultural context, though its brevity and focus on a specific relationship may not suit those seeking broad technical manuals.

This tailored book explores innovative darkroom strategies and chemical processes emerging in 2025 analog photography. It covers the latest developments and discoveries, focusing on the evolving craft of analog printmaking. By matching your background and interests, this personalized edition examines modern techniques that blend traditional methods with new chemical insights, helping you stay at the forefront of darkroom mastery. You’ll delve into custom explorations of recent research and practical applications unique to your goals, gaining a deep understanding of contemporary analog darkroom practices. This approach reveals how new processes can expand creative possibilities and refine your photographic prints, offering a focused learning experience designed just for you.

When John Brewer crafted this record book, he drew on deep experience as a photographer navigating the meticulous demands of black and white darkroom printing. The book offers a practical system to document each print process, including space for sketches and notes on dodging and burning techniques, helping you capture the nuances of variable contrast resin coated and fibre-based papers. This journal isn't about theory but about helping you keep precise records to refine your craft over time. If you’re serious about mastering black and white darkroom printing and want a structured way to track your work's evolution, this book fits the bill without fuss or filler.