Darkroom Practices in the 21st century

In this course students explore how the analogue darkroom factors into contemporary photographic practices. The darkroom is a place for imaginative exploration: unpredictable chemical reactions, monochrome printing methods (black and white), and painterly gestures. Students will focus on creative processes while developing technical expertise in analogue black and white photography. Camera-less photography, processing roll film, using the enlarger, and techniques for printing contact sheets and enlargements will be covered. Course will include group discussions and individual critiques. Through hands-on demonstrations and in-class visual lectures, students develop an understanding of  the practices of photography in relationship to the larger sphere of contemporary art-making. Students are expected to have access to a 35mm analogue SLR camera.