Black and White Darkroom Course - In-Person Course

In this course we will guide you through the use and handling of traditional black and white materials. Students will learn how to process their own film, make their own contact sheets, how to work a black and white photographic enlarger in the darkroom, develop their own film and print images, and work selectively with filters whilst learning how to dodge and burn in order to create the best possible printed image. You will produce a selection of 4 finely printed black and white photographs while on the course.

1 x 3-hour class per week on Friday or Wednesday mornings, for three weeks

09h30 to 12h30

Intake Dates:  10 July and 8 November

Students Will Need the Following:

• An exposed roll of black and white 35mm film for the first session (exposed but not processed) - NOT c41 film 
• An apron
• A note book and pen

Lesson 1
An Introduction to the Darkroom, Black and White Film and Resin Coated Paper. In Lesson 1 we will explore black and white photographic materials and the darkroom and related equipment. This class will focus on developing your exposed roll of black and white film. We will also use this opportunity for some creative play to help familiarise you with the darkroom and chemical processes.
Requirements for Lesson One: Bring along an exposed but undeveloped roll of black and white film. It must not be a C41 black and white film as this is not a true black and white film. 

Lesson 2
Making a contact sheet and first print enlargement. In Lesson 2 we will be making a contact sheet from which we can assess which negatives to print. Once we have completed the contact sheet we will begin making our first silver gelatin hand print on 8x10 inch resin coated paper. You will learn how to set up and use the enlarger and easel, process and wash prints, and how to use multigrade filters.
Requirements for Lesson Two: Your processed negatives from the week before. 

Lesson 3
In Lesson 3 we will evaluate our negatives and contact sheets and learn how to assess these to determine which negatives will yield the best prints. We will also look more carefully at the relationship between our camera work and the making of good negatives. During this session we will continue to make prints.

Course Outcomes - What You'll Take Away

• Understanding the characteristics of traditional black and white materials
• Photograph with and process Black and White Film
• Using traditional black and white chemistry
• Make Contact sheets from your processed negatives
• Burn and Dodge
• Print manipulation