Introduction to Alternative Processing in Photography

In a world where most photos are captured digitally it’s good to remember the beauty of print and all of the creative options alternative processes have to offer. The history of printing photos introduces techniques and tools that can improve your eye in the field and open up doors to new perspectives. Fine artist and educator Daniel Gregory gives the steps needed to get you started in exploring the many formats out there. You’ll learn:

• An overview of what alternative processing is and the many formats out there
• How to create a digital negative
• How to setup and test your curve
• How to print a Cyanotype
• How to create a Van Dyke Print
• Chemistry, Safety and Developing techniques
• Platinum and Palladium Printing processes

In this introductory course, you’ll be given the key elements to get you started in expanding your creativity and exploring alternative photographic processes.

• Class Introduction
• Overview of the Alternative Process
• Overview of the Digital Negative Process
• Working with Black and White Digital: What You Need
• Working With Black and White Digital Images: Color Settings
• Working with Black and White Digital Images Lightroom
• Working With Black and White Digital Images Photoshop
• Working With Black and White Digital Images 3rd Party Plug-ins
• Avoiding Key Artifacts
• Creating the Step Wedge for Curve Corrections
• Organizing Your Adobe® Photoshop® Files and Curves
• Setting Up the Printer
• Lab Safety and Workspace Set-Up
• Setting the Maximum Black Time
• Getting the Initial Curve Test Numbers
• Correcting the Curve
• Printing the Curve
• Sharing Curves
• Caring for the Digital Negative
• Intro to Cyanotypes and Safety
• Paper and Brush Types
• Coating Process and Cyanotype Chemistry
• Making the Cyanotype Print
• Washing the Cyanotype Print
• Creating Cyanotypes Photograms
• Toning Cyanotypes and Cleaning Up the Darkroom
• Introduction to Van Dyke Printing
• Setting Up the Van Dyke Workstation
• Van Dyke Paper and Coating
• Van Dyke Exposure and Developing
• Van Dyke Troubleshooting and Resources
• Van Dyke: Split Toning
• Van Dyke: Wash Cycle and Drying
• Van Dyke: Clean Up Process
• Introduction to Platinum / Palladium Printing
• Platinum/Palladium Coating Chemistry and Safety
• Platinum/Palladium Paper and Coating Options
• Platinum/Palladium Exposure and Development
• Platinum/Palladium: Equipment and Supplies
• Ink Jet Negative Coating and Exposure
• Platinum/Palladium Chemistry Options
• Ink Jet Negative Development
• Platinum/Palladium Waxing Images
• Platinum/Palladium Troubleshooting and Resources
• Sharing Your Work Digitally
• Archivability
• Matting and Framing Options
• Editions and Signing Options
• Alternative Processes: Further Exploration