Introduction to Darkroom Printing

In this workshop, you will learn to:

- prepare the chemistry
- make contact prints - showing a positive version of the negative strip
- make a test strip to determine exposure
- make a print
- change image contrast
- selectively change exposure by "dodging" and "burning".

Silver gelatin printing passes light through a negative, exposing light sensitive photographic paper. This paper is then "developed" in a chemical bath, before being "fixed" to ensure that it is no longer light sensitive. The image contrast and exposure can be selectively manipulated - the tools offered by products such as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are modelled on darkroom techniques.

Printing this way allows deeper blacks than modern inkjet and laser printing, offering a different aesthetic.

Participants must bring their own developed negatives to the workshop. This workshop will not be focusing on the development of a film roll.