Learn the most popular printing process of nineteenth century. The albumen printing process was invented by Louis Désiré Blanquart-Evrard in 1850. Used well into the latter half of the century, this technique of making photographic prints with paper coated with egg whites was both simple and elegant once a skill set was perfected. Today, the faded originals usually found in antique shops don’t reflect the rich tones that are possible by this process when albumen prints are carefully made and well preserved.
Guided by Process Historian Mark Osterman and Historic Process Specialist Nick Brandreth, the group will prepare the egg whites, coat and sensitize the paper, and print from digital and glass collodion negatives. The evolution of albumen printing will be emphasized through several variants of the process as used in the latter half of the nineteenth-century. Weather permitting, sun exposures will be made in the gardens at George Eastman House. We will also demonstrate negative retouching, tissue printing masks, traditional wheat starch mounting, and print burnishing.
Masterworks from the George Eastman House collection produced by Julia Margaret Cameron, Eadweard Muybridge, Gustave Le Gray, and others will be displayed especially for this workshop to give individuals the opportunity for close examination.
Audience: Limited to ten, this three-day workshop is suitable for fine arts photographers, historians, teachers, and anyone interested in the evolution of the photographic print. No experience is necessary for this very hands-on workshop.
Tuition: $500/$475 members, plus $70 materials fee.
Note: This Albumen workshop is scheduled in the same week as the Salt Printing workshop for those who would like to learn both processes (separate registration and tuition for each workshop). Each of the processes are based on silver chloride printing out techniques, the only difference is the addition of an egg white binder for albumen printing. Albumen prints have a glossy sheen, whereas salted paper prints have a matte finish. The final image hue ranges from a warm brown to a purple brown depending on depth of printing and gold toning.
Cancellation Policy: Withdrawal from the workshop 30 days before the session start date will receive a refund, minus a $100 processing fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations made less than 30 days before a workshop start date. If the workshop is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, the entire class will be fully refunded. George Eastman House is not responsible for airline ticket cancellation costs or fees. Eastman House may take and use images, still or video, for educational and promotional purposes.
Location and Scheduling: Daily sessions begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Unless otherwise stated, the workshops are held at George Eastman House in Rochester, New York. Directions can be found here.
Lodging: Lodging is not included in the cost of the workshop. Participants must make their own arrangements. The host hotel for workshops held at George Eastman House is the East Avenue Inn & Suites, eastaveinn.com. This hotel is within walking distance of the museum. Room rates begin at $119 per night. The East Avenue Inn & Suites also provides transportation to and from the airport. Reservations can be made by calling (800) 559-8039. When calling to make a reservation, please mention you are taking a workshop at George Eastman House to get this special rate.