Very clear and detailed information, with excellent photo and graphics that illustrate the alternative processes.
All the processes are historically contextualized.
Congratulations Christopher James for this great book.

'Tis the most complete alternative processes manual of all times. More beautiful color photograph illustrations than you could think to shake a stick at. To get the most alternative use of this book, one might stitch the pages together to wear as clothes, and alternatively processize to one's heart's content.

This book is for artists. It is worth every cent. Remember, you get what you pay for. It contains the details, the history, the examples and the intellect. Very well put together and a pleasure to read. If you are serious about learning "alternative" photographic processes, this is the book.

Every learning photographer must have this book. More to photography than photoshop and digital and this book will open up you photographic world.

You may not believe it, but this book is actually good bedtime reading for any photographer. Christopher presents the history of each process backed up with examples both historical and contemporary. His sense of humor is evident in much of the writing. If you've never tried any of these processes, step by step instructions are given as well as helpful tips to ensure success and sources for product. More about digital technology is incorporated in this edition- yes it is ok to make digital negatives to use with an old process!

This book is one of the finest reference books I seen. I open it up on an almost daily basis and find new things to consider. I have been in photography for over 40 years and am very impressed. The world of alternative photography is a very exciting one and one that continues to grow. I only wish I could take his classes. My goal was to expand my understanding of the alternative photographic processes. I will certainly use it as a source of information if I do a 5th edition of my book "Framing Photography" which is also carried on Amazon.com. My hat is off to the author Christopher James.

I have 2 well worn copies of the first edition of The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes - I have kept the book by my side while printing and teaching as not only a resource but an inspiration.

The second edition of the book is a bit heftier due to all the fabulous new chapters that have been added and still goes with me to my classes and studio. My students call it "The Bible" they use it not only for technical advice but to look at the work of many different Alternative Process artists. Seeing the variety of approaches to the medium of photography represented in this book has opened my students' minds to the idea of playfulness in image making.

Christopher James offers a wealth of technical knowledge in his book but not one ounce of it is presented in an intimidating way, each chapter opens up new possibilities for approaching the photographic image and creating unique, expressive and playful creations.

The final chapter, "Light Marking", is new to the Second Edition and is a wonderful tool for photography instructors (and anyone else who wants to discover a new approach to an often highly technical medium). It gives many suggestions and clues on how to use the spirit of play as a tool for teaching/learning.

If my review has not convinced you to check out a copy of the book then just look at the cover image... A dog balancing on a ball, how can you resist!

Christopher James, The Book Of Alternative Photographic Processes, Second edition is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. It is the definitive book on alternative photography, with six hundred pages of facts, formulas, and inspiration. Covering everything from making pictures with a box of air, to the digital arts. It covers: salted papers, calotype, negatives, printing with flowers and vegetables, cyanotype, gum, carbon, platinum / palladium, wet collodion, and gelatin dry plate.....and much more.
It is also a great history of photography book. Factual, witty, brilliant, and any other superlative that comes to mind is likely applicable. It is full of great ideas that will make you a favorite teacher, and is accessible to the beginning photographer as well. It is a treat to see a book that is so full of personality, written in a conversational style.
This second edition comes five years after the first, and was three decades in the making. It is completely rewritten, with hundreds of new images, and illustrations drawn for this edition. Christopher has taught photography for thirty plus years at Harvard University , and The Art Institute Of Boston, as well as hundreds of workshops.
If I could only have one photography book this would be it.

First a disclaimer. I helped on the cabon chapter and am the inventor of the Ziatype process, so I can hardly be called a neutral reviewer. However I do want to make a few comments.

Back in the late 70's another amazing book on this subject came out, Keepers of Light. It was an incredible achievement in its day but James's book exceeds it. Photo books come and go and only a tiny fraction ever get revised into a 2nd edition One would expect that after nearly 30 years the newer book having gone into a 2nd edition would be better, but this goes way beyond expectations. KOL was the spark that got me excited about process photography and to eventually start Bostick & Sullivan. I see this new book being a similar stimulus for young photographers to venture out into their own explorations of photography.

Christopher James should also be commended for not just producing a how-to book, but one that connects the modern day worker with the historical aspects of these processes. He covers the basic history of each process, which enlivens and adds to the fun of doing them. Did I say "fun?" Yeah, I did, and yes I know, we're supposed to be deadly serious about our art, but damn, this stuff is fun and you can't get away from that fact. That is also a theme that lies in the background throughout this book: art is fun.

Now this book is obviously targeted at the practicing photographer, but it deserves a much larger audience. Anyone interested in photography should read and have this book handy for a reference. Art and photo historians, collectors, curators, and folks that are just interested in photography will find their understanding of photography and photography's history enriched.

Perhaps now we will have fewer people making ink jet prints and calling them carbon prints. Ok, a personal peeve of mine. Sorry.

This book is great. It has nearly every process I was interested in, and steps you through each of them with: easy to follow instructions, checklists of chemicals, and useful/helpful pictures.

Theres enough here to interest both the amateur photographer as well as the seasoned professional who is interested in these techniques.

Check it out, I don't think you'll regret it.