TEACHING
SCHEDULED TEACHING WORKSHOPS:
3 May 2023: Alternative & Historic Photography*
*** Open to UCA students only ***
Venue:
University for the Creative Arts - Farnham Campus
Falkner Road
Farnham
Surrey
GU9 7DS
A practical, hands-on workshop introducing some methods of making and printing
photographic images which differ radically from mainstream practice.
We will be making cyanotypes, Argyrotypes, lumen prints and anthotypes as well
as discussing other processes. – It will give you an idea of the wide range of
possibilities outside the traditionaldarkroom or digital printer.
Bring: Old clothes - or at least wear something which won’t be ruined if you get
a chemical stain on it - so not your brand new white shirt!
UCA Students: See your course pages on myUCA or ask your year tutor for signup details.
4 May 2023: Experimental Cameras
*** Open to UCA students only ***
Venue:
University for the Creative Arts - Farnham Campus
Falkner Road
Farnham
Surrey
GU9 7DS
A rich area for photographic experiment is to use an unconventional camera.
Whether it’s resurrecting or repurposing an old vintage camera or building
something more specialised today’s workshop is designed to help.
Peter will bring and demonstrate a range of experimental cameras, both
analogue and digital. Working with these should give you some inspiration
for the workshop on camera building on 10th May.
Bring: Any old and/or broken cameras you may have.
Warm clothes - we may be working outside for some of the time.
UCA Students: See your course pages on myUCA or ask your year tutor for signup details.
9 May 2023: Camera Building
*** Open to UCA students only ***
Venue:
University for the Creative Arts - Farnham Campus
Falkner Road
Farnham
Surrey
GU9 7DS
A
Explore the principles behind camera design. We will look at the camera obscura and
how lenses form an image before building your own designs which can be used to
make still or moving images.
Bring: Any old cameras you have, plus lenses or other bits and pieces (if you have a
simple magnifying glass that’s perfect. Cardboard boxes (shoe boxes etc. are a good
size but whatever you can find). Scissors, craft knife, sticky tape, sharpies etc.
UCA Students: See your course pages on myUCA or ask your year tutor for signup details.
10 May 2023: Alternative & Historic Processes
*** Open to UCA students only ***
Venue:
University for the Creative Arts - Farnham Campus
Falkner Road
Farnham
Surrey
GU9 7DS
A practical, hands-on workshop introducing some methods of making and printing
photographic images which differ radically from mainstream practice.
We will be making cyanotypes, Argyrotypes, lumen prints and anthotypes as well
as discussing other processes. – It will give you an idea of the wide range of
possibilities outside the traditionaldarkroom or digital printer.
Bring: Old clothes - or at least wear something which won’t be ruined if you get
a chemical stain on it - so not your brand new white shirt!
UCA Students: See your course pages on myUCA or ask your year tutor for signup details.
21-24 August 2023: Wet Plate Collodion Photography
Venue:
West Dean College of Arts and Conservation - The Edward James Foundation Ltd
West Dean
Nearr Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 0QZ
This course is for anyone interested in early photographic processes. Whether you are a photographer
looking to expand your practice into wet-plate photography or you have a purely academic interest in
how photographs were made in the mid-nineteenth century, this is an opportunity to make authentic
photographs on glass or metal plates, using original equipment and authentic practices.
You will explore Frederick Scott Archer's Wet Collodion Process of 1851 by practical means: making
photographs from first principles. As well as the historical context, the contemporary upsurge
in interest in the collodion process is covered.
Through this the aim is to achieve a sound knowledge of the processes of preparation, exposure and
processing of wet collodion photographs. You will acquire confidence in using all materials and
processes involved and to have an understanding of the requirements for equipment (cameras, l
enses, darkroom equipment, etc.).
On completion, you should be proficient and confident in: using a large format plate camera;
preparing and coating plates; processing images and preserving; mounting and displaying finished
photographs. Naturally, everyone gets to keep everything they have made.
On the first evening, there will be an introductory talk, covering historical context, potential and expectations.
On the first full day, we will cover:
Safe handling and use of chemicals and materials
Using a nineteenth century plate camera*
Exposure measurement and control
Preparation of plates
Processing images
On the second full day, we will continue working with the cameras, with everyone having an opportunity to make photographs. We will work both inside and outside (weather permitting), using the unique environment of the college and its grounds as much as possible.
* This course is described as Intermediate/Advanced as some prior knowledge of film-based photography is desirable. However, it is not essential.
Please note: Due to the potential hazards of using some of the chemicals involved, for health and safety reasons some processes may be carried out solely by the tutor, for you to observe. It will also be essential that a PPE dust mask, eye protection and gloves are worn for aspects of this course.
For more details or to book a place see West Dean College's own website:
1 November 2023: The Collodion Revolution:
The process that transformed 19th century photography
(FREE Online Zoom talk - 11.00am)
Venue:
Online - See the Russell-Cotes Museum website for links to join
For more details or to book a place see the Russell - Cotes Museum website:
https://russellcotes.com/event/photography-talk-online/
14 November 2023: Wet-Plate Collodion at Russell-Cotes
This workshop is in connection with the exhibition Siam: Through the Lens of John Thomson.
A hands-on opportunity to explore the nineteenth century Wet-Plate Collodion process.
Using an original Victorian plate camera and period equipment, participants will have the
opportunity to make actual tintype or ambrotype portraits. You will, of course get to keep
the pictures you make.
Invented in 1851, the wet-plate process involves flowing collodion chemicals onto a glass
or metal plate and sensitising it with silver nitrate before exposing it in the camera.
The image is developed rapidly (15 seconds) before fixing, washing and drying.
We will make and expose plates as John Thomson and his contemporaries did.
Full guidance will be given for every stage of the process.
No previous photographic experience is necessary.
Venue:
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
East Cliff Promenade,
Bournemouth,
BH1 3AA
For more details or to book a place see the Russell - Cotes Museum website:
https://russellcotes.com/event/wet-collodion-workshop/
4 -7 March 2024: Alternative Photographic Printmaking
Venue:
West Dean College of Arts and Conservation - The Edward James Foundation Ltd
West Dean
Near Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 0QZ
This course is designed for anyone interested in 'alternative' or historic photographic
processes;Making prints with or without a camera, using techniques which need a
minimal outlay in equipment and facilities.
Aims: To introduce a selection of methods, give a historical and artistic context and
familiarise students with the equipment, methods and practicalities involved.
Objectives: To achieve a sound knowledge of several processes:
Argyrotype (Kallitype)
Cyanotype
Lumen prints
Anthotype
- plus an understanding of how the 'alternative process' discipline works have confidence
in exploring further techniques independently.
Outcomes: On completion, each student should be proficient and confident in mixing and
using chemicals, preparing and coating substrates, making digital negatives for printing and
controlling exposure.
On the first evening there will be an introductory talk, plus discussion of the potential and expectations.
On the first full day we will cover:
Safe handling and use of chemicals
Equipment, tools and materials
coating and preparation methods
Making digital negatives
On the second full day we will work with materials prepared the day before, making both cameraless "photogenic drawings" and printing from digital negatives. There will be opportunities for making more negatives, preparing extra material etc.
For more details or to book a place see West Dean College's own website:
https://www.westdean.org.uk/study/short-courses/courses?type=short&subcategory=&category=Photography%2C+film+and+animation
BOOK A CUSTOM WORKSHOP:
With 25 years of teaching experience, I've seen the rise of digital imaging, the fading - and then re-birth of 'analogue' (film based) photography and the steady increase in interest in historic, alternative and experimental processes. I've put together a series of workshops which can be tailored to groups of different ages and abilities.
I teach workshops for groups, academic institutions or individuals.
Contact me for more information or to discuss requirements.
Click on the images below for more details.
