Teaching:
I teach a variety of workshops at different venues each year, or I offer one-to-one teaching at my darkroom in Liss, Hampshire. See below for details and links to the courses or get in touch with me direct.
Historic Photographic Printmaking:
Cameraless techniques
West Dean College of Arts & Conservation
West Dean Near Chichester West Sussex PO18 0QZ
23 - 26 March 2026
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 andcontrolling 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:
Wet-plate Collodion Photography.
West Dean College of Arts & Conservation
West Dean Near Chichester West Sussex PO18 0QZ
21 - 24 August 2025
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, lenses, 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:
https://www.westdean.ac.uk/short-courses/slw40317-wet-plate-collodion-photography
Book a custom-designed workshop.
Liss, Hampshire - or your own venue
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 opposite for more details.
