Tutor: Zoe Hamill
Embrace imperfection and experimentation with less-toxic photo chemistry made using locally foraged plants.
Learn about the chemistry of plant-based photo developers, before making our own from foraged plants. We will then enter the darkroom to print from negatives using this developer, trouble-shooting common problems and discussing further possibilities with plants based processes.
This course is an ideal follow-on from any of our darkroom courses, but is also suitable for analogue photographers with no previous darkroom experience.
Please bring your own 35mm black and white negatives to print from. If you don’t have any, let us know and we can provide example negatives for your use.
We recommend wearing old clothes that you don’t mind getting a little messy.
We will spend time outside so please dress for the weather. Part of this course will take place outside on paved and unpaved surfaces. If you have any access requirements, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to advise and accommodate where possible.
Morning
- An introduction to the chemistry and history of less-toxic darkroom processes and plant developers.
- Short walk to collect plants from the local area, discussing different species and their uses.
- Prepare a developer using the plants gathered.
Afternoon
- Introduction to darkroom printing equipment.
- Printing from negatives using the plant developer we have made.
- Comparing a variety of developers made with different plants.
Courses are subject to minimum enrolment. Please register early, within five 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.
Despite the plant-based developers not being toxic, please be aware that we will be using standard darkroom chemistry for the Stop bath and Fix stages which is generally not recommended for use by anyone who is pregnant or breast-feeding, or those with severe asthma.
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.
Safety Data Sheets:
