Tuition: $800 ($700 members), plus $100 materials fee
Workshop for 6 participants
Some prior experience required.
Building upon our basic gelatin emulsion workshops, this intermediate workshop takes emulsion making to the next level. The group will make the basic silver bromide negative emulsion as a basis for increasing both speed and color sensitivity and for making enlarging speed photographic paper. Intermediate techniques include sensitizing with both sulfur and gold to increase the emulsion speed, and dye sensitizing to increase the color sensitivity. In addition, the workshop will feature the use of a peristaltic pump to precisely introduce silver automatically to the emulsion.
All participants will coat their own 4×5″ glass plates and make exposures with a view camera in the historic gardens of the Eastman Museum. The group will then develop their plates in the museum’s darkroom. Selected plates will be digitally scanned and inverted to allow participants to see their negatives as positive images.
Participants will receive a work apron and a manual on making the featured emulsion with formulas written by Nick Brandreth, as well as information sheets with additional formulas and techniques used during the workshop.
Participants will also view vintage glass negatives and gelatin silver prints from the museum’s photography collection.
Note: Participants are welcome to bring their own cameras, tripods, and light meters, though best results are generally seen when the group uses the same camera, keeping variables to a minimum.
Audience: Limited to 6 participants, this 4-day workshop is suitable for fine art photographers, educators, and anyone interested in the evolution of photography. Participants must have some prior experience in basic emulsion making.
Cancellation Policy: Withdrawal from the workshop 30 days before the session’s start date will result in a full refund minus a $100 processing fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations made fewer than 30 days before the workshop start date. If the workshop is canceled due to insufficient enrollment, the entire tuition will be fully refunded. The George Eastman Museum is not responsible for airline ticket cancellation costs or fees.
Location and Scheduling: Daily sessions begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. The workshop is held at the George Eastman Museum, 900 East Avenue, Rochester, NY. Directions can be found here here.
Lodging: Lodging is not included in the cost of the workshop; participants must make their own arrangements.
- The Strathallen is a 15-minute walk from the museum. Visit strathallan.com to make a reservation.
- The Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown is a 30-minute walk from the museum, and only an 8 minute drive. Visit their website to make a reservation.
The museum may take images, still or video, during the workshop and use them for educational and promotional purposes.