Richard Vanek - Black and White Photography

These Black and White Photography Articles I wrote based on questions I am receiving by emails. They contain a lot of inside informations about me and my photography work. You can find tips for developing films, packing photographs as well as about how do I take photos. I try to cover everything what could be useful and what I have certain hopefully interesting opinion. You know frankly, I am tired of receiving email from photography students asking all the time the same questions. Now they can read it all here and if there is more they could ask, but I am not anymore spending time to doing their homeworks ;-)
Sometimes things are changing faster that I manage to update these articles, but hopefully I find the time to do so. If you miss something or you think that something can't be true anymore, please use a contact link o top of this page and leave me a note.

Digital taste
Updated: 15 May 2008
Status: almost finished
Overview of my steps in process of converting from film based images to digitally captured images. Problems and challenges I encounter on my way to produce black and white images from digitally captured color photographs.
Films and Developers
Updated: 31 Mar 2008
Status: in progress
My favorite Film/Developer combinations for black and white photographs with description of agitation, times and results. This is the mostly asked questions from e-mail I am getting.
How do I Take Pictures
Updated: 19 Dec 2007
Status: updating now
I am updating this article now... Writing about how I did and how I do take photograps. What camera and how I use it. About my way of aproach subject and little bit more.
Packing prints
Updated: 30 Aug 2007
Status: finished
I have got a lot of questions how do I pack photographs before Isending them to you. Here you can see the most common packing for 5x7and 8x10 prints. The bigger prints are done similar way, but in biggerand little different pack.
Making Prints
Updated: 15 Jun 2007
Status: finished
I print digitally, using carbon pigment inks on highquality Rag papers. Read more about details how I prepare black andwhite image from raw digital data to print on paper.
Developing b/w Negatives
Updated: 9 Jan 2007
Status: mostly finished
Description of complete procedure how I do develop my black and white films. It is rather detailed so I hope it will not confused but help you to see alternative to your way.
Limiting Print Editions?
Updated: 28 Jul 2005
Status: finished
This short note describes my view on producing limited number of prints from each negative. This is especially interesting reading for those who planning to buy prints from me. It gave you all information what is my motivation behind my choice in this subject.
Post Development Procedure
Updated: 28 Feb 2005
Status: in progress
This part describes how I manage my photographs after film roll isdeveloped. How I organize them to be able to find fast what I wantand to avoid loosing anything.