This new book, published by Ars-Imago, is unique in recent times in that it is a comprehensive guide for film photographers, both new and old.
It is inspired by the aesthetic of vintage user manuals and is beautifully illustrated to inform and educate in the fundamental technical sides of both film cameras and film photography. Although having said that, it is not difficult to master as the book has six main sections and is structured so that you can access it in either a linear or non-linear way.
It opens with a concise description outlining the basic mechanics of taking a photograph. The beginner can then read through from cover to cover, while a more advanced photographer can dip in and out. You can easily navigate through the text and cross-references are underlined and listed with their relevant page number at the top of each page. There's also a complete and detailed index at the back.
Don't expect to find tips on how to take "better photos" though. The purpose of the book is to get you to understand the mechanics of photography, and once grasped, let you take creative control of your camera and thereby use it as a tool for taking "your photos" precisely as you like them.
So whether you have found an old Pentax at the Charity Shop, or inherited a Leica, this book provides all the information needed to help you understand your camera and get out and start using it. As a primer or a reference manual, this is the perfect book to (re)kindle your love of analogue photography.
This item is available for collection.