Introduction to Alternative Photographic Processes

This is a technical workshop with four hands-on sessions, in which participants get a first taste of several alternative and historical photographic processes, such as cyanotype, Van Dyke brown, gum bichromate and gumoil.

The workshop is designed as an introduction to printing in these processes (and as an open door, or an invitation, to exploring others).

It can be followed by Module II, in which participants explore these processes in greater depth, with a view to developing a small project.

Alternative Dreams I

Imagerie > Workshops > Alternative Dreams - Módulo 1

October 10th and 17th

Abstract landscape print featuring green etched mountain outlines and blue watercolor highlights on textured paper.

goma bicromatada - Fernando Aranda - workshop Alternative Dreams - Agosto de 2024

Workshop outline

Session 1: Gum bichromate I and Gumoil I
Session 2: Cyanotype
Session 3: Gum bichromate II and Gumoil II
Session 4: Van Dyke brown
For each process, the sessions follow this structure:
Historical introduction
Viewing and analysis of contemporary projects
Theoretical introduction
Introduction to making digital negatives
Printing several images

Learning objectives

Understand the fundamentals of each process as a basis for sustained future exploration
Analyse results and correct or adapt procedures
Recognise the distinctive visual and technical characteristics of each process
Identify the variables that influence the final result
Develop autonomy in preparing and applying light-sensitive emulsions
Establish a basis for comparison between the different processes covered
Acquire the technical vocabulary specific to each process

Requirements

Participants are asked to send digital images in advance (digital photographs or scans of images) so that negatives can be made.

What’s included

All the materials needed to take part in the workshop: chemicals, negatives, papers, etc. Digital documents prepared by the instructors covering each of the processes.