Hi all, I just found this site and it is amazing!! I recently started teaching myself to use the camera and have been reading some well written books about processing film. I read some earlier discussions regarding the subject but was wondering if it would be better for me to take a class at first or to just jump into a darkroom with my knowledge and books as back up? I am very willing to take a class but, at the ssme time, quite anxious to start doing it myself.

Thanks for the advice!!

-- Dareen Faddoul (dareen831@aol.com), October 03, 2001

Answers

Dareen, I think if you can take a 'Photo 101' at a local college/university you ought to take advantage of it. You'll learn a lot and I think it is really good to be around fellow students and see their work. This does not mean you can't learn it out of a book, or have somebody show you how to do it. It all depends on your learning style and personal perference.

chris

-- Christian Harkness (chris.harkness@eudoramail.com), October 04, 2001.

Darkroom skills can be taught, and tips and tricks can be shown to you, but there's really no substitute for practise, practise, and more practise. Nobody ever made a great print first go, even if they were shown how by St Ansel himself.
The sooner you get into a darkroom, the sooner you'll be taking that first step towards printing great prints.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), October 04, 2001.

I agree with both! Take a class first so you get some in-site and that you "don't try to reinvent the wheel". You will learn what looks good (if the instructor is good) and some valuable tips. You then can hone your skills at home...

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), October 05, 2001.

I did the self taught route. If I had it to do over I would most certainly take some junior college courses. In a couple of semesters you can learn more than a couple of years on your own.

Although the internet is a godsend for learning photography.

Peter

-- Pete T. (pete1959@pacbell.net), October 16, 2001.