Wynn Bullock

The book takes us into the darkrooms of many famous photographers including Wynn Bullock, Ralph Gibson, W.Eugene Smith, and George Tice, to name but a few. It gives a real and full insight into the working practices of these leading photographer/ darkroom practitioners. The complete disclosure aspect of the book, particularly the table summary of equipment and materials given at the end of each photographers chapter adds significantly to the books strength.

The brief introduction of David Fuess merits 3.5 or 4 stars, but I reduced my rating to 2.5 stars because many of the photographs were disappointing. Bullock worked with Ansel Adams for a spell, and the influence of Adams’ zone system is evident in Bullock’s prints. Many of the subjects are abstractions, an approach I am drawn to in my work, and I particularly enjoyed Wood 1972 (p. 20) and Let There Be Light 1954 (p 33). The most appealing image is Child on Forest Road, 1958, (p. 13). A show more lighter approach to the gloomy, dark photos might have produced a superior print in many instances. show less