Rating: 
Summary: even if you have a slight interest..
Review: As far as I am concerned, this is THE BOOK.
It is so incredibly useful and I've learned so much from reading it. It's very well written, easy to follow, tons of references. Wow. I recommend this book to anyone interested in alternative process photography. Anyone interested in photography even. It is wonderful.
Basically, in photography, Silver is used a lot in the photographic papers. Alternative processing uses anything BUT silver. Platnium/palladium, gold, Iron.. even berries and various plants. This book gives a wonderful over-view of it all and tells you how to do it. There is even a bit of history about the different processes complete with wonderful pictures. I love this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Scholar and the Artist in Perfect Synchrony!
Review: Christopher James has been satisfying the art world for 20+ years now, combining his gifts as a photographer (who has been pushing the creative envelope all along) with his equally successful foray into the studio of the painter. In both areas Christopher has started with the keen observing eye. Representing what those investigating eyes have captured has always included experimenting with the medium: watercolors are painted on a paper ground that has been altered with gum arabic/graphite/jade resist and photographs that have been pulled through a Diana camera or glazed and adroitly enameled so that viewing becoms a three dimensional experience. But Christopher is also highly regarded as a short story writer and it is this last variation of his artistic temperament that makes his new book so successful.
This is an invaluable book, an exemplary resource text about Alternative Photographic Processes. But, and here is the Christopher James rule of thumb, this "text" is deliciously readable. Even for collectors who are looking for some degree of insight into the magic of the medium this book has much to offer. I found myself actually READING the text, not just paging through a beautifully designed tome on great photographs.
Highly recommended for the artists who need to know these techniques.........and equally highly recommended for those of us who marvel at the variations of contemporary photography.
Rating:
Summary: THE Book
Review: Christopher James has written the most reader friendly, technically demystifying, and visually rich books that I have seen in a very long time. The "Little History" sections that begin nearly every chapter are fun to read and full of the connections, anecdotes, and colorful characters, that has made the photographic arts so compelling to historians and artists.Technically, the book is clear and informative (winner of the Golden Light Technical Book of the Year in 2001) and goes to great lengths to be sure the reader will have little difficulty comprehending and working with the myriad processes covered. Besides James's very accessible writing style, which reads like conversation between friends, the collection of illustrated work is truly outstanding. It is significant that of the over 300 illustrations, a good percentage were made by James's students and those of other artists, and teachers, represented in the book. It is important to note that the production values in this full color book are outstanding. James has collected a rich contemporary survey of alternative process work, likely the most comprehensive in print, and this alone makes his book a terrific resource for students of any age. For teachers, it clearly "sets-the-bar" with a buffet of visual possibilities. I viewed an exhibition of the work in the book last fall, at The Art Institute of Boston, and can assure you that the quality of reproduction is first rate. All in all, this is a wonderful book to read, work with in the studio, and to enjoy purely for the images. If you've ever had an interest in alternative process photography, this is The Book to have.
Rating:
Summary: THE Book
Review: Christopher James has written the most reader friendly, technically demystifying, and visually rich books that I have seen in a very long time. The "Little History" sections that begin nearly every chapter are fun to read and full of the connections, anecdotes, and colorful characters, that has made the photographic arts so compelling to historians and artists. Technically, the book is clear and informative (winner of the Golden Light Technical Book of the Year in 2001) and goes to great lengths to be sure the reader will have little difficulty comprehending and working with the myriad processes covered. Besides James's very accessible writing style, which reads like conversation between friends, the collection of illustrated work is truly outstanding. It is significant that of the over 300 illustrations, a good percentage were made by James's students and those of other artists, and teachers, represented in the book. It is important to note that the production values in this full color book are outstanding. James has collected a rich contemporary survey of alternative process work, likely the most comprehensive in print, and this alone makes his book a terrific resource for students of any age. For teachers, it clearly "sets-the-bar" with a buffet of visual possibilities. I viewed an exhibition of the work in the book last fall, at The Art Institute of Boston, and can assure you that the quality of reproduction is first rate. All in all, this is a wonderful book to read, work with in the studio, and to enjoy purely for the images. If you've ever had an interest in alternative process photography, this is The Book to have.
Rating:
Summary: The Definitive Text on Alternative Photography
Review: Frank Van Riper, photographer, author and photography columnist for <Washingtonpost.com>:
After years of effort--and gathering hundreds on images--his own as well as those of other master photographers and many of his students, Christopher James has produced a superb book that likely will stand for years as the definitive text on alternative photography. It not only is a pleasure to look at it is a pleasure to read. From Ambrotype to Ziatype, Christopher covers it all, in a breezy, accessible style that is jammed with practical information that never is pedantic or dull. I don't even do lots of this stuff and I found it all fascinating. It's a simply marvelous book, by a gifted teacher.
Rating:
Summary: You DO want to buy this book!!
Review: It's hard to not slip into strings of superlatives in responding to this book! If you have *any* interest in photographic alt-printing-processes, this book is a must-have. Even if you *don't* have a specific interest in alt-processes you'll want to own this book! Spend a few moments with it - it's so seductive you'll want to make your own handmade photographs too!! The book is written in an easy, open and friendly style - with lots of humor throughout (a real accomplishment in itself!). The information is utterably reliable and accurate - and is very easy to grasp and follow. It will have you working in that new process in no time. It will absolutley remove the fear of trying it! There's just enough historical background for each section to enlighten and to interest. And the REPRODUCTIONS!! are abundant and of extremely high quality (reason enough to purchase the book). This is a *really* satisfying alt-process photography book which you'll refer to again and again and again....
Rating:
Summary: The last word on alternative processes
Review: The category can now be put to rest. James has written the definitive book on the wide subject of alternative photographic processes. For each process he combines some history, contemporary examples, detailed instructions, and the knowledge gained through many years personal experience. What could have been a deadly bore to read is instead lively and personal. Huge number of examples lets you see what is happening today in each medium. First at Harvard, now at Art Institute of Boston, James is one of the leading artist-teachers in the country. If you are interested in the subject, this is the only book to own
Rating:
Summary: outstanding
Review: this book is the most thorough alternative photographic process book on the market today.
the images from james, his students and other well-known photographers make it an
inspirational smorgasboard (sp?)......the writing is fun, funny and easily understood.....
highly recommended
Rating: 
Summary: do not buy this book. It is not good
Review: This guy has some processes which do not work. He skims over some important details in other chapters. There are some nice images in here, but the Coming into Focus is better. So, buy another book.
Rating:
Summary: User friendly
Review: This is a playful and inspiring book. The illustrations will keep you thumbing back over the pages again and again. A great resource for students, faculty, and artists of any meduim. It's art-photography made simple. An excellent book. Buy it.
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