Lessons

An Introduction to Film Processing

The one to one workshop is designed to get students developing their films within a matter of hours. There is no better teacher than experience, and at Blanco Negro, we have processed hundreds of thousands of rolls/sheets of film! This workshop is designed to lift the veil of misconceptions and to discover the opportunities that a darkroom can provide.

Students will learn the following techniques:

– Understanding the principles involved in development.

– Health, safety and the environment.

– How to load your roll/sheet films.

– To process film through the correct use of procedures.

– Understanding the chemical reaction within the film tanks, for a deeper understanding of the process.

– How to handle, care and preserve your processed films.

– To evaluate processed films for faults and how to improve your camera craft when necessary.

– And above all, to take control of your photography and have fun in the darkroom!

COSTS: $110 per hour. Average workshop time is 3 hours.

 

 

Film Processing: Beyond Basics

This workshop is aimed at photographers wishing to explore the full potential of shooting and processing their films. Need more/less grain or contrast? Still searching for your “look“? Wanting to explore Historical/Alternative printing processes, then it is Pyro developer for you!

This workshop will cover the additional aspects required for the custom processing of your film. The following techniques will be covered:

– Testing of films and developer combinations.

– Pulling/Pushing of films.

– Developing for Historical/Alternative printing processes.

– Reduction/Intensification of negatives.

– Preparation of chemical formulas.

COSTS: $110 per hour. Average workshop time is 2 – 3 hours.

 

Silver Gelatin Printing: Enlargements

This is when the real fun begins! If you have already attended the contact printing class (highly recommended), then the next step is blowing up your negatives.

In this workshop students will discover the joy of seeing their images as a handmade print. You will discover the basic requirements to create acceptable B&W photographs, how the operate the enlarger correctly, in-depth aspects of exposure, contrast control and much more.

Students will learn the following techniques:

– How to set up and care for an enlarger and accessories.

– Negative evaluation.

– Cropping the image for impact.

– Paper and developer options.

– Exposure and contrast control for an acceptable print.

– How to Dodge and Burn for better prints.

– The use of different border types for extra impact.

COSTS: $110 per hour. Average workshop time is 3 hours.

 

Silver Gelatin Printing: An introduction to the Fine Print

This workshop is for printmakers who have had several hours of experience in the darkroom. If you are looking for something new in your prints or just wish to explore advanced printing options, this workshop is for you. Here we will delve a little deeper into the finer aspects of Silver Gelatin printing.

Students can learn the following techniques:

– Split contrast printing.

– Use of specialised developers for an alternative look/feel.

– How to locally reduce or intensify prints.

– Basic toning techniques.

COSTS: $110 per hour. Minimum time is 2 hours for all bookings.

 

Silver Gelatin Toning for Colour & Permanence

This workshop is designed for printers who wish to learn the basic steps involved in the various toning processes that are available.

It will involve the making of toning formulas and the effects of different paper and toner combinations.

A little experience in B&W printing is highly recommended and students are invited to bring along their own prints to tone in addition to the assortment of prints supplied.

 

The workshop will cover the following subjects:

– Bleaching and Thiocarbamide (Sepia).

– Indigo (Blue).

– Selenium for archival permanence or colour toning.

– Gold for archival permanence or colour toning.

– Farmers Reducer and its many applications.

– Multi-Toning techniques.

 

Liquid Photographic Emulsions

This photographic printing process gives the artist the flexibility to hand coat silver gelatin emulsion onto a wide selection of surfaces, including watercolour papers, timber, metals, fabric and glass.

Due to the variable nature of negatives, the workshop can provide suitable negatives for exposing. Students will be expected to have a basic understanding of B&W darkroom printing. All materials are provided.

 

The workshop will cover the following subjects:

– Preparation of liquid emulsion.

– The use of additives to emulsion and surface.

– Surface selection and preparation.

– Coating techniques and applications.

– Assessment of negatives for liquid emulsion printing.

– Exposure, printing and processing.

– Overview of toning techniques.

– Finishing techniques and storage.

COSTS: $110 per hour. Average workshop time is 3 hours.

 

Introduction to Lith Printing

This is an opportunity to learn the delicate and beautiful technique of Lith printing. This process has nothing to do with lith negatives or line work, but is a specialised silver gelatin printing technique.

Lith printing is a very creative and expressive form of printing using ‘normal’ negatives with black & white papers and “Lith” chemistry. It will significantly expand your artistic capabilities offering images that can look highly graphic to soft ethereal interpretations of your photograph.

 

The workshop will cover the following aspects:

– Correct negative selection.

– Chemistry preparation.

– How to create a lith print.

– Toning of lith prints.

COSTS: $110 per hour. Average workshop time is 3 hours.

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