Darkroom User: The Wit and Wisdom of Ed Buziak

Back in the 1990s I subscribed to a great little magazine called "Darkroom User".  In those pre-digital, pre internet days (well, both existed but were in their infancy compared with today) it was a valuable source of information, inspiration and debate on photography from the printmaking point of view.

The magazine  had a lively and enthusiastic tone which clearly reflected the views of its editor, Ed Buziak. The content was heavyweight: No basic articles for photographic newbies, no 'entertaining' semi-comic prose describing less-than-successful attempts to do things in a self deprecating but amusing manner. This assumed the reader was fully competent and serious about making high quality work. There was no professional / amateur distinction. The contributing authors were experts in their fields, with the likes of Dennis Fielding and Ctein writing regularly. It was a meeting place of like minded souls. - much like this site, I hope.

My subscription only lasted a few years before the magazine folded.  As the world changed, The magazine attempted to evolve, becoming "Camera and Darkroom"  (not to be confused with the American publication of that name) and the proliferation of online content meant it seemed, that people were no longer prepared to pay for a specialist publication when similar (but seldom so well researched, edited or written) content was available on the internet for free.  I know things change and you can never go back but I miss that magazine and its monthly mixture of articles.  I refer to them regularly when researching processes and techniques. I'm now searching for back issues to complete my set!

I'm happy to say that Ed Buziak is still around, photographing, writing and generally helping to make the world a better and more intelligent place. He has resurrected many of the articles from DU on a dedicated  blog at:

https://darkroomuser.wordpress.com/about/

It's well worth dipping into with all sorts of sidebars on film/developer combinations, large format cameras, and of course printmaking techniques, both traditional and alternative.  I'll try to make contact with Ed but as I don't do social media I may struggle a bit! If you do read this, Ed please get in touch as I'd like to thank you again for the magazine and to celebrate your work more.