Analog photography and darkroom techniques course

Photography has always had a physical relationship with reality.

This is especially true for analogue photography where the light hits the film emulsion and captures the visible world instantly like a cart on a dirt road.

Its unique temporal and physical relationship with light, and the direct relationship the medium has with reality, is still the great magic of the medium for many photographers.

Because analogue photography is far from extinct and is currently experiencing a revival, we offer a course for photographers who (also) wish to work analogue and express themselves artistically.

You will see that shooting analog can make you a better photographer. Are you a beginner or an ambitious photographer, it is certainly not without value. The great power of analogue photography is that you have to be much more aware of the circumstances and think more about your shot.

You will also learn to develop your own photos in a dark room, with attention being paid to both 35mm and medium format.

Beginners course in analogue photography Basic I

Course structure:

The Analog Photography Basic I course consists of 6 meetings.

Day: Monday

Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

The costs are €265 for the entire course.

Lesson 1: May 13 - 7:30-9:30 PM

Lesson 2: May 21 - 7:30-9:30 PM / Tuesday instead of Monday (Pentecost)

Lesson 3: May 27 - 7:30-9:30 PM

Lesson 4: June 3 - 7:30-9:30 PM

Lesson 5: June 10 - 7:30-9:30 PM

Lesson 6: June 17 - 7:30-9:30 PM

Event - Exposition at Café Charlemagne

The following skills are covered in the beginners course:

. Understanding the basics of your analog camera, darkroom hygiene, darkroom chemistry for black and white small and medium format film and waste management for sustainable, economic and environmental practices.

. Developing your negatives, including pushing and pulling film during development;
Assessing the suitability of your negatives for printing.

. Make a contact print from your negatives;

. Print your photos on large format fine art photographic paper.

. Presentation of analogue photos for exhibition in Café Charlemange, Onze Lieve Vrouweplein 21, Maastricht.

Follow-up course on analog photography Basic II

Course structure:

The Analog Photography Basic II course consists of 6 meetings.

Day: Wednesday

Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

The costs are €265 for the entire course.

Lesson 1: May 15 - 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Lesson 2: May 22- 7:30-9:30 PM

Lesson 3: May 29- 7:30-9:30 PM

Lesson 4: June 5- 7:30-9:30 PM

Lesson 5: June 12- 7:30-9:30 PM

Lesson 6: June 19- 7:30-9:30

Event - Exposition at Café Charlemagne

The following skills are covered in the follow-up course:

. Learn to apply custom film developing recipes to manipulate the contrast and texture of your film negatives in the film developing process.

. Investigating the effects of different color filters during the photo printing process to manipulate the contrast and texture of a print.

. Exploring different fine art papers to manipulate the contrast and texture of an analogue print.

. Editing techniques such as dodging, burning and masking.
. Experimenting with creative and surreal effects, such as pseudo-solarization during the photo printing process (inspired by Man Ray).
. Presentation of analogue photos for exhibition in Café Charlemange, Onze Lieve Vrouweplein 21, Maastricht.

The class schedules for the 2024-2025 season will be available online from April.

Reservations are already possible via the 'Contact teacher/Register' link.