Tutors: Morwenna Kearsley and Caroline Douglas
During this week-long intensive course, you will be introduced to a broad range of analogue photography techniques. You will learn how to shoot, process and print both B&W and colour film, supported by two experienced tutors. This course is perfect for beginners or for those looking to brush up on their skills within a group environment. The aim is that each participant develops a small body of work over the course of the five days, culminating in a group discussion at the end.
Day 01
Morning: Shooting B&W
In the morning session, you will learn how to utilise the Manual functions of a 35mm SLR camera including aperture, shutter speed, film speed and metering. You will gain an understanding of depth of field, composition and creative photo-making techniques and shoot a roll of B&W film.
Afternoon: Processing B&W film
In the afternoon session you will learn how to process B&W film by hand in Stills’ darkrooms. We will discuss different film types and chemistry, as well as best practice procedures for film handling.
By the end of the day, you will have a processed roll of B&W film, stored in a negative sleeve reading for printing the next day.
Day 02
Morning: Printing contact sheets
In the morning, you will gain an appreciation of general darkroom procedures; understand how to set up an enlarger and make a contact print using traditional analogue methods.
Afternoon: single Filter Printing
In the afternoon, you will learn how to make 8×10″ resin prints using the single filter printing method.
Day 03
Morning: Portrait studio
In the morning, we will look at a range of approaches to the photographic portrait. You will be introduced to lighting and composition techniques for portraiture, as well as providing guidance on shutter speed, aperture, lenses, and other visual controls. You will make a series of portraits using a DSLR and on colour film.
Afternoon: Still life studio (colour)
In the afternoon, we will focus on the history and development of still life and its use in commerce and fine art. Adapting some of the lighting techniques you learnt in the morning, you will then make a series of still life photographs using a DSLR and on colour film. Please bring along a selection of small objects you would like to photograph.
Day 04
Morning: Colour film processing
In the morning, you will learn how to hand process your colour film. We will discuss the loading of the tank and the preparation of the machine to ensure correct processing temperatures. We will look at different film types, why you may want to use them and the range of effects that can be produced.
Afternoon: Colour printing
In the afternoon, you will be taught how to set up your darkroom for colour printing, you will be shown how to use the analogue colour RA-4 machine and how to print a contact sheet for viewing your negatives. You will be shown techniques to improve your printing skills and we will discuss some printing techniques to help you get the most from your negatives.
Day 05 (Friday)
Morning: B&W printing (split grade/fibre) or colour printing
In the morning session, you will have the option of learning how to split-grade print in the B&W darkroom or to continue colour printing.
Afternoon: End of course discussion & feedback
During the final afternoon, you will have the opportunity to reflect on the work you have made throughout the week and discuss it as a group.
About the tutors:
Morwenna Kearsley is a Glasgow-based artist working predominantly with photography, text and occasionally moving image. She photographs objects that reveal part of who we are, as individuals and communities, from museum artefacts and personal effects to discarded scraps, draped fabrics and textiles. She often collaborates with other people via workshops, evening classes and community arts projects. She studied for a BA(Hons) in Photography, Film & Imaging at Napier University, graduating in 2007. With the support of a Leverhulme Scholarship for Fine Art, she received an MFA from The Glasgow School of Art in 2015.
Caroline Douglas is an artist working with photography and moving image. She is currently undertaking a PhD by practice at the Royal College of Art, researching gender and class in early Scottish photography. In her practice she moves across photography, writing and creative archival research processes to work cross-historically, re-touching the archive, to recover and repair marginalised histories. In 2017, she was a Visiting Scholar at the University of St Andrews and in 2020 she was the recipient of the Andrew Wyld Research Support Grant, Paul Mellon Centre.
Courses are subject to minimum enrolment. Please register early, within 14 days of the start date, to reduce the likelihood of course cancellation.
Please read our cancellation policy before booking.
Students, anyone over the age of 65, and those in receipt of any form of benefits can claim the concessionary price, offering a 10% discount on the full course price. Valid proof of eligibility must be produced on the first day of the course. Please use the code CONCESSION when prompted at checkout.
Stills uses ILFORD PHOTO chemicals on this course that can potentially pose a risk to pregnant and breast feeding women and asthmatics.
We take every care to ensure good working practices and adequate ventilation in our darkrooms. If you feel you may be adversely affected, please visit the Health and Safety section of Ilford’s website for further information.
General Guidance Notes for Pregnant and Breast Feeding Women and Asthmatics:
- ILFORD PHOTO products include no known human carcinogens, and no substances to which phrase R46 (May cause heritable genetic damage) or R64 (May cause harm to breastfed babies) applies.
- Most ILFORD PHOTO developers use hydroquinone, and their classification therefore includes R40 (Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect) and R68 (Possible risk of irreversible effects).
- Some ILFORD PHOTO chemicals use boric acid or borates. These substances are classified as toxic for reproduction. As a result, the classification of some of the powder developers includes R60 (May impair fertility) and R61 (May cause harm to the unborn child).
