Material Witness: Early photographic Techniques   

Friday 19 April 2024

12pm - 4pm

Research Forum Seminar Room, The Courtauld, Vernon Square Campus  (WC1X 9EW)

Lunch provided, no previous experience required.

Join artist and researcher Jo Gane for a workshop which explores early photographic techniques including the three major photographic processes in use prior to 1860 - the daguerreotype, calotype and wet plate collodion. Jo will discuss these processes from the perspective of a contemporary maker who works with these materials. We will begin with a handling session allowing participants to understand early photographic silver based materials and how the same silver ingredient can appear dramatically differently in the three processes across the substrates of paper, tin, glass and silver.

Following this, the light sensitivity of silver will be explored in a hands-on way, with participants able to make images on modern silver gelatin paper.

The fluid nature of silver during the wet plate collodion process will then be demonstrated from the preparation of the plate to the varnishing stages.

Schedule:

12.00 - 1.00pm: Welcome and Introduction to historic photographic processes, handling session.

1.00 - 1.30pm: Lunch (provided)

1.30 - 2.30pm: hands -on making with silver gelatin paper

2.30 - 4pm: wet plate collodion demonstration