Syllabus

A Crash Course in Alternative Process                                 FOREST
http://altprocess.blogspot.com                                               darkroom@theforest.org.uk

Description
Students explore and array methods for creating imagery in contemporary Alternative photography methods and practices. The aim is to open the world of super DIY image capture and printing. There will be handouts every week with technical notes on processes as well as a little history and overview of selected artists working within the medium. We cover safety and handling of chemicals, emulsion and chemical preparation, making and printing images.

 The course would include in class discussions and critique of works made in addition to demonstrations of technique and in class work. Supervised time slots could be arranged for out of class work.  I hope to curate a show as a group of the work created over the course to display in the Forest gallery or perhaps to make a class book. At the very least I would like to scan students work from each process to feature on the Forest Darkroom Flickr and document in class working time. All students will of course be credited for their works with all rights reserved.  Please tell me in advance if you would prefer not to be photographed, or to have your work documented and I will respect your wishes.

It is important to come to class on time as we will be trying to pack a lot in a short amount of time. Though I will confess I am often late. There is also a very strong likelihood there will be guest participants for selected processes, and I anticipate their addition taking up a bit more time. Assignments and notes will be updated regularly on the blog listed above.

The majority of the handouts will come from:
Alternative Photographic Processes, by Christopher James,

Delamar/Thomas Learning, 2002

Required Materials
20 pound Lab fee (to cover cost of course darkroom chemistry)
images to work with negative or otherwise

Paper to print on- arches hot press is recommended

Eye protection / lung protection

Gloves if you have latex allergies

Notebook

Binder – for handouts

Hake brushes, sponge brushes

Schedule

March 27
Week 1: Overview, handout of syllabus, links, contact, brief history with images, intro to pinhole physics/optics and construction, exposure and development, assignment for next week.

April 3rd
Week 2: go into paper negatives, cyanotype

April 10th
Week 3: critique, examples, demo Van Dyke Brown, assignment

April 17th
Week 4: critique/discussion about book project, book binding, CVD and spearmint oil 

May 1
Week 5: critique, examples, demo Albumen , Assignment

May 8
Week 6: critique, examples, demo Polaroid lifts/transfers/ day lab, assignment

May 15
Week 7: critique, examples, demo AG PLUS liquid chemistry, assignment

May 22
Week 8: exchange pages, bind our books , final critique