Intro to the Darkroom

This workshop invites you to develop trust in your intuition while exploring the fundamentals of darkroom practice. You’ll learn to work instinctively with negatives and prints, reconnecting with your innate creative instincts through hands-on technique.

In collaboration with Het Kleinste Kamertje, I offer both introductory and advanced darkroom workshops at DOKA.

Level 1

An introduction to analog darkroom practice — from developing your first black and white film to making your first prints.

1Intro to the Darkroom

Accessing the silence within

Presence and awareness during the developing process and how it affects the end result.

  • Chemistry and safety protocol
  • Understanding the developing chart
  • Black and white film developing (find your way in the dark)
  • Drying
  • Results and final analysis
  • Including stillness home practice

2Black and White Printing

Accessing intuition

Basic understanding of gradient and contrast. Presence and awareness during the printing process and how it affects the end result.

  • Intro to darkroom printing equipment
  • Intro to paper selection
  • Results and final analysis
  • Including sentient film home practice

3Analog Photography in Visual Arts

Accessing creativity

First explorations on your choices of framing, perspective and narrative to discover your own unique visual and artistic style.

  • A more theoretical and contemplative approach to your prints and films
  • Take home print of your first sentient film, which you will print and develop yourself

Level 2

A deeper, more artistic exploration of darkroom printing — contrast, analogue retouching, and experimental techniques.

4Contrasting Thoughts

Master the silence within

  • Print of 35mm and 120mm
  • Review on basic printing and chemical preparation
  • In depth contrast selection with multigrade filters (split printing)
  • Artistic choices on the use of contrast and focus to create a specific mood
  • Size matters. Choosing the print size of your photo and thinking ahead

5Analogue Photoshopping

Mastering intuition

Learn how to use photoshop techniques in real life, by applying them directly to your prints.

  • Creating Photoshop tools
  • Dodging
  • Burning
  • Vignetting
  • Blocking and creative printing

6Experimental Printing

Master your creativity

  • Photo intervention and creative printing
  • Rayograms
  • Rayograms and negative printing
  • Scratching and gesture
  • Analogue photo and mixed media

For information and bookings please contact

sierravalois@gmail.com