Workshops in Montana   7079 Hwy 83 Condon MT 59826     800-922-5255  

Call to inquire about your event - (800) 922-5255  or email: sherry@photoformulary.com

May 25-28, 2012

Contrast Printing for Silver Gelatin Photographs in Black & White

Ray Nelson

Call to inquire (800) 922-5255 - email: sherry@photoformulary.com

Darkroom Skills – Variable Contrast Printing for Silver Gelatin Photographs in Black & White

You will learn to make 8x10 black & white photographs on silver gelatin photographic papers in a traditional “wet” darkroom. You will mix photographic chemistry,  lay out your processing steps and expose photographic paper using a variable contrast printing system to create black & white photographs. If you haven't done so already you will start by making a “contact sheet” to better view your negatives, then use the contact sheet to select a negative suitable for printing.

You will use variable contrast papers and expose and develop your photograph. You will learn a systematic way to arrive at your preferred exposure using variable contrast filtration. You will evaluate your work to refine and improve results. You will learn to “dodge & burn”, use filters, paper flashing, and other techniques to affect your results.  You will learn bleach & redevelopment and toning techniques to refine your prints and improve their archival stability. You will leave with quality black & white prints suitable for framing.

Friday – Meet & Greet  and Familiarization with Facilities & Equipment

Saturday – Lecture & Practice

Lab Procedures & Safety, Chemistry, Papers, Supplies.

Making a Contact Sheet & Using it to select a negative to print

A procedure to create your work print

Photograph Printing - Refining your print technique

Sunday – Lecture & Practice

Photograph Printing - Refining your print technique

Print Toning, Bleach & Redevelopment

Monday – Practice & Wrap up

Photograph Printing & Print Toning

What to Bring:

Notebook, pen/pencil, Willingness to learn, Patience

A more specific list of all equipment and  materials needed will be sent to you via e-mail  in advance of your course.

Tuition: 395.00

Biography: Ray Nelson is a Missoula, Montana photographer whose interest is making black & white photographs of the natural world. Ray began experimenting with black & white photography in the 1970’s while stationed with the US Army in Germany. The practical world of education, work, and family intruded on this interest for the next 20 or so years. Then a few trips to Montana’s Rocky Mountain front with cameras rescued from an old trunk again sparked an urge to record just how magnificent the world around us really is. Ray works with 35mm, medium format, and large format equipment and is always pleased to share the secrets of film photography with those who share the same inspiration gained from Montana and the world around us.

To attend either or both of these workshops contact the Photographers Formulary, email Ray at msonelson@aol.com, give Ray a call at 406-728-0914 in the evening.