I was just wondering if many photographers develop their own pictures or take them to get them developed. And if any one does develop there own if they had any darkroom advice a beginner might want to know.

Before I went digital, I had a full color darkroom. I found that it was easiest to achieve the results and quality I wanted. My suggestion, read a book called "The Darkroom Handbook" by Michael Langford. It taught me all the lab techniques I know, an excellent resource to say the least. As for advice, it really depends on what you would like to do, if its color work, I'd say "watch your chemistry temperatures VERY carefully". For black and white, its pretty straightforward...don’t inhale too deeply above the fixer!

Plan your layout carefully; keep all of the wet processes on one side, and the dry ones on the other. (For example, process prints on one side, expose paper on the other.)

And most important of all....have fun! It’s a great opportunity to be creative and produce works of art.

she is developing in b/w btw

Is there a place to read text from that source online? I'd be interested.
*always up for some reading*

I don't believe there is online, but if i can find my copy I might be able to scan the sections that you are interested in, and email them to you. I imagine it would be a hard book to find new, I bought my copy in 1984, I'm not sure if it's even still in print.

its cool, I'll just have to make a sidetrip to the ncsu libraries

E- bay has about a dozen, so far I see six of the ones by Michael Langford. Hit the "books" catagory and search the title.

thanks for the advice, i may have to check and see if i can find that book in the appalachian library :)

Similarly, there is also a great book for the digital photographers. Depending on what version of Photoshop you use the title changes. "The Photoshop CS Book for Digital Photographers" by Scott Kelby is a great Photoshop resource. Instead of explaining, excessively, the features, it actually gives you step by step directions and teaches you how to use it, instead of teaching you about it.

(The title for 7.0 users is simply: "The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers" also by Scott Kelby.)

I think puchasing a book to learn software would be kind of a waste dont you?

Not at all, I use it pretty regularly as a reference guide, not everyone wants or needs to memorize EVERY function in photoshop...

well I mean, there are several free sources of help, and extensive online documents related to photoshop technicalities as well as techniques. by waste I meant the paying for it part.

I see your point; however, I prefer only having to turn to one book for all the answers, as opposed to wasting time searching for info. I suppose it really depends on whether you use it professionally, where time is money, or if it's just a hobby.

I still dunno, as far as speed, just like with books, you find yourself 1 or 2 really good sources and stick to those. Also unlike books alot of the really good sources on the web constantly update and allow for the input of the general public. Whether pro or amateur I think this can be appreciated, the web is also essentially free :p

Personally I go by the quote "If at first you don't succeed, read the instructions"... I guess I'm just too impatient to read anything, I tend to learn better by experimenting. Besides, I always seem to somehow find info on just about everything except what I'm after.

Caedes is great for getting quick answers if you can't be bothered doing proper research too!! ;-)