Advanced Darkroom Photography (10 credit points)

Pre-requisites for enrolment

Some previous experience of analogue photography recommended. You will require your own SLR 35mm film camera.

Special Information

Essential materials you will need to bring to the first class:

* Bring your 35mm camera with a roll of black and white film.

Materials and equipment provided for students as part of the course and included in course fee:

* Access to photographic workshop with processing, developing and printing facilities

* Access to photographic studio and lighting

* Liquid light emulsion

Materials and equipment available for purchase during the course:

* Ilford Multi-grade Resin coated paper

* rolls of 35mm of black and white roll film (Ilford HP5 for hand processing or Ilford XP2 for machine processing)

* an A4 sketchbook or journal

* files for keeping negatives and prints.

Essentials materials and equipment students will need to provide themselves:

* 35mm film camera preferably with manual settings

Additional recommended materials and equipment students can provide:

* A range of lenses for 35mm camera

* A medium format camera for studio session

Content of Course

The course teaching is delivered over weekly class sessions totalling 27.5 hours. Depending on the specific timetable of the occurrence of the course, this will either be delivered over ten weeks of 2.75 hour class sessions, eleven weeks of 2.5 hour class sessions or five weeks of 5.5 hour class sessions. Over the weeks the course will cover:

• Introduction to Course; Negotiate Class Timetable; A presentation of contemporary photographers and their work.
• Black-and-White Darkroom Refresher; Film Processing Demonstration, Introduction/Refresher to Using Filters, Tray Printing with Resin Coated Paper and Techniques for Washing/Drying Prints.
• Refining Printing Techniques. Techniques include; Tray Processing with Fibre Prints and Split Grade Printing.
• Alternative printing methods including; Photograms, Solarisation and Liquid Light printing techniques.
• Individual tutorials – this will be a chance to discuss work from the last four weeks. Class is given an editorial brief to complete for final session.
• Investigate lighting techniques for Photographic Portraits in the Photography Department’s Lightwell studio.
• Demonstration – printing a Giant Photographic Enlargement (over 1 metre square).
• Continue work on Self-negotiated Project. An opportunity to process any films taken over the last eight weeks.
• Work on final prints for mounting.
• Mounting Presentation.
• Final printing session – Class Pin-up

Teaching method(s)

This course will be based and delivered in specialist photographic studios and workshops and will typically include a range of practical exercises, introductions to techniques, processes and concepts, and set projects which lead to more focused and personal exploration.
Each week, students’ progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor who will negotiate and agree a ‘directed study plan’ for work to be undertaken out with the class hours each week. This will include researching a range of suggested artists or designers and their associated movements to engender a contextual awareness of the discipline being taught as well as how to annotate and evidence this within a sketchbook and practical outcomes. Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

Learning outcomes

RESEARCH
show an ability to communicate, collect and collate a range of images and texts that explore your chosen personal research themes
PRACTICE
demonstrate an ability to learn new processes and apply them by using alternative photographic techniques
PRESENT
select, edit and realise your work in an appropriate from to convey your ideas.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential
none

Recommended

 

• Gillanders, R., 2004, The photographic portrait: techniques, strategies and thoughts on making portraits with meaning, Devon: David & Charles
• Barthes, R., 1994, Camera Lucida: reflections on photography, New York: Hill and Wang

 

Web Sources

Specific Web resources will be determined by course tutors.

Class Handouts

Course information will be provided on enrolment and handouts provided during the course.

Assessment

Details of the Art and Design assessment requirements can be found on the short course website. Please click on the following link for more information: Submission and Assessment Information

Studying for Credit

If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.