Introduction to the Darkroom

Course Overview

Explore the possibilities of our professional B&W Darkroom.

Key Details

• Location: Penryn Campus
• Course duration: 2 days
• Tuition fees per individual: £300

Course Outline

This is a two-day practical introduction to the black and white darkroom, with the option to bolt-on an additional two days’ supervised access to the darkroom to continue developing the skills you have learned on the course.

You’ll learn how to work in a professional darkroom to develop and print your photos, using a variety of processes and techniques. You can bring your own film to process or use our sample negatives.

On this course, you will:

• Have an introduction to our professional black and white darkroom, learning about how to use the space and what the chemicals do - giving you the confidence to use a darkroom on your own following the course.
• Learn how to use a photographic enlarger in the black and white darkroom.
• Learn how to hand process black and white film.
• Have a printing introduction, learning about a variety of printing techniques.
• Learn about how to assess your negatives.
• Have time and plenty of opportunity to experiment and get creative with different techniques, including photograms.
• Learn about more advanced darkroom techniques, including dodge burn, split grade and split grade dodge and burn, and how to use an easel.
• Have a group print review in the Gallery on our final afternoon.
• Take your prints away with you.
• Have the opportunity immediately following this course to extend your access with an additional optional bolt-on of 2 days’ supervised access to the darkroom, with ad-hoc support from a technician and critique available at the end of each day.

Meet the Team

Dave Mann

Technical Operations Team Leader

I have worked as a professional photographer and photography educator for many years, starting as ...

Steph Cosgrove

Senior Lecturer

Steph is a Senior Lecturer at our Institute of Photography and has worked at Falmouth University for...

How You'll Learn

This course is delivered via a combination of practical demonstrations, explanations of theory, and guidance whilst you get hands-on with techniques. In general, mornings will be spent learning techniques and afternoons will be spent practicing them with support from the course leaders throughout.

This course also offers the optional addition of a bolt-on 2 days additional flexible supported time in the darkroom, at additional cost. All materials for the course are included; if you are booking the optional additional time following the course and need additional materials then these can be purchased from our photography stores.

Who is This Course For

This practical course is suitable for all levels, whether you are a beginner interested in exploring black and white film photography, or a more experienced photographer wanting to expand or refresh your skills in a professional black and white darkroom.

What to Expect

Expect a practical course where most of our time will be spent in the darkroom and exploring printing techniques. You’ll learn via hands-on demonstrations from our experienced course tutors.

What to Bring

Please bring a shot roll of 35mm Ilford HP5 B+W film, ready to be processed. If you are unable or do not wish to do so, or if there is any issue with your film, we will provide B+W negatives that can be used to print with.

Please remember to bring a packed lunch with you.

What We'll Provide

All materials you will need are included in the course fee, together with tea/coffee and free parking on campus. Please note that if you would like to process your own film you will need to bring a shot roll of 35mm Ilford HP5 B&W film, but if not we’ll provide negatives that you can use.

If you would like to book the optional bolt-on access to the darkroom following this course and require any additional materials, these can be purchased from our on-site photo stores team at the Institute of Photography.

Food and Drink

Tea/coffee is included each day. We recommend bringing a packed lunch or visiting one of our campus cafés.

Location

This course is taught in our specialised facilities at the Institute of Photography on our Penryn campus.

There is plenty of parking available on our Penryn campus and you can also reach us via a range of public transport options. You can find out more, here.

For campus maps and information on visiting us, please visit our How to find us page.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in this course cost. If you would like to book accommodation, please see our accommodation for short course students page for a range of options.

Bolt-on 2 Day Darkroom Access

If you would like to extend your access to the darkroom following this course to continue practicing the skills you have learned, you can book an additional 2 days’ supported access to the darkroom. These 2 days will run immediately after the final course date and are based on access time between 9am and 5pm, with ad-hoc support from the technical team at our Institute of Photography and Steph (our course leader) with you during the afternoons for support and available for critique at the end of each day. This is charged additionally at £72 for the supported access (payable in advance), plus any materials you require which will be payable via card on the day directly to the Institute of Photography stores desk.

How to Apply

To apply for the Introduction to Darkroom course, make your selection from the available dates below, this will take you to an event page where you will be able to book yourself onto the course via the Book now link.

Tuition fees per individual: £300

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