Intro to B&W printing

Instructor: Adam Schachner

Sunday, April 28th
12 pm - 4 pm

This is an immersive 4-hour workshop where you’ll learn the exciting (let’s say fun, too) process of making high quality black-and-white enlargements on traditional photo-sensitive paper in the darkroom.

Syllabus:

Introductions and expectations

Before entering the darkroom:

- Discussion of exposure, density, and contrast

- How to choose contrast filters; where to start

- Instructor provides info about enlarging lenses and paper choices

- Tools of the trade, quick demo of grain focuser and easel

- Overview of how the process works from setup to test strip to print.

Instructor gives a darkroom tour and demonstrates how to use an enlarger; explains the chemistry trays and their functions. Instructor demonstrates how to make a test strip, develop and analyze the strip, and make a print.

Students choose negatives and set up their own enlarging stations. Students then work on their own negatives and prints for the duration of the workshop with instructor input.

The Halide Project will supply all necessary chemistry and paper. Students are asked to bring black-and-white 35mm or 120 negatives for printing.

Instructor bio:
Adam Schachner is an educator, printmaker, photographer, and Halide volunteer. Adam has over a decade of experience working in professional community darkrooms, digital labs, and artist residencies. Currently, Adam has been training his eye and lens on the architectural oddities of his own neighborhood in West Philly. During the day, you can find Adam at the University of Pennsylvania’s library where he works with rare books and manuscripts.

This workshop has been generously sponsored The Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation.