There is a magic, under the alchemical red light, to seeing your first print fading in from white, in the quiet of the darkroom.
The analogue photographic process, especially for those used to mobile and digital image making, can be a revelation for the refinement its pace and craft brings to your photography.
The constraints – limited images, a time/cost calculation for each – make you think slower, look closer and weigh your decisions more. Moreover, you will be making discrete objects with unarguable physical presence in the world.
The workshops take place on Saturday afternoons 3-6pm:
Saturday 27th April
Saturday 4th May
Saturday 8th June
Saturday 22nd June
Saturday 14th July
Workshop Content
Working safely in the darkroom, use and management of printing chemicals, photographic paper types. Use of a range of enlargers (Durst, Omega, De Vere) to make high quality prints.
Making contact sheets and final / work prints. Multigrade filters and contrast manipulation.
You will make your own prints to take away, sharing an enlarger if necessary with another participant, working from the beginning to the end of the process. On completing the workshop, you will have a basic working knowledge of the equipment and processes used to enlarge monochrome negatives. You can book 3 free hours of darkroom time, to practice what they’ve learned, with in-person (subject to availability) or remote support.
Who it’s for
The workshop is aimed at those with some previous photographic knowledge to professional digital practitioners who want to expand their traditional process knowledge. Please bring B+W negatives to print. Complete novice photographers are welcome, but a working knowledge of photographic exposure will be useful to take this practice forward.
How to get here
The workshop will take place at Darkroom Birmingham, at The Old Print Works, 506 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. 15 mins bus ride from New Street Station, 50 bus route A435. Parking / The Mix Cafe / international restaurants nearby / 10 mins walk to Moseley Village / Ladypool Road.
Tutor
Dan Burwood is an artist, photographer and educator with 25 years experience leading photographic workshops. Dan established Darkroom Birmingham in 2012 and has run a wide range projects since, including community photography training, exhibitions and analogue and digital tuition.
Payment details and terms
£30 deposit to reserve a place, balance due on attending.
Gift vouchers available, for individual workshops or mini course.
To book, or for further information, email info@darkroombirmingham.co.uk, or message Dan on 07779159217 with the following information:
– Name of course participant/s
– Date of course booking
– Concessions / discounts on booking
– Deposit or full payment
– Mobile phone number for payment link