Exploring Large Format Paper Negatives Video Workshop for Darkroom Photographers
In this video workshop, I take photographers on a journey through the process of using darkroom paper as a negative medium to create black-and-white fine art prints. Determining the best way to expose and develop your selected darkroom paper is only the beginning.
You get a 78-page course training guide in PDF format and 18 video lessons with over 4 hours of instruction. You can watch the video lessons online or download them to your computer.
Paper negatives are often overlooked or only explored on the surface by photographers.
There is an entirely new world that can be explored with paper negatives, and I hope to open that up to you and give you some new ideas for your photography. Even if you already know the basics of using paper negatives, I have several things in this video workshop that I think you will find valuable.
As with all of my video workshops, there is no fluff, I get right to the point and I share everything that I know and have learned about making darkroom prints from paper negatives. If you want to use paper negatives as your capture medium and bring them into your digital workflow, I have you covered there too.
WHAT ARE PHOTOGRAPHERS SAYING ABOUT THE VIDEO WORKSHOP?
"I recently purchased Tim Layton's paper negative course. The course covered the subject very well, and it was a pleasure to follow. A PDF of all the salient information is accompanied by about 20 video lectures ranging from a few minutes to approximately half an hour in length. The course mixes theory with video of hands-on demonstrations of a whole workflow ranging all the way from the preparation of paper negatives and initial picture taking on large format cameras to contact printing and tips for digitizing the result for photographers that use a hybrid workflow.
All in all, I found the course very useful. There is a lot of information available out there in bits and pieces, but this course is valuable in that it 1.) compiles the information in a useful package, 2.) it contains things have not seen discussed anywhere else such as a technique for enlarging paper negatives, 3.) it visually demonstrates techniques in a way that takes all guesswork out of the equation. I was particularly excited by Tim's coverage of advanced contact printing techniques to fine tune the final positive image.
After reviewing the course, I was able to shoot my own paper negatives, develop them, and contact print them the same weekend. I recommend this course for any photographer that is interested in paper negatives, that has access to a large format camera or a pinhole camera, and that has rudimentary darkroom skills." P.B., Oregon
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"The Paper Negative video course that Tim has developed is well thought out, detailed (in its information content), as well as entertaining.
Tim has thought of every conceivable approach in taking you step by step through the process assuming you know nothing of how to work in the darkroom.
The neat part of this workshop is that you can view it as many times as need be, so that each and every action becomes natural in which you can ultimately see the results of your own personal visualizations.
When it comes right down to it, this course is money well spent that will yield great returns when you dedicate the time to follow the process.
Well done, Tim.” -Andrew Weis
If you have ever wanted to learn or expand your creative possibilities with paper negatives, then this course is for you.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Movie # 1 - Discussion about the characteristics and aesthetic of darkroom paper negatives as a medium
Movie # 2 - Darkroom paper options (pros and cons of different types) and when to pick one versus the other
Movie # 3 - Use of filters on specific paper negative types
Movie # 4 - Contrast control methods
Movie # 5 - Field Pre-flashing technique
Movie # 6 - ISO Rating and metering techniques for RC paper negatives
Movie # 7 - Tips and advice on handling RC darkroom paper
Movie # 8 - Discussion of three possible output types with paper negatives, contact printing, enlarging, and scanning for digital workflow
Movie # 9 - Development techniques for RC paper negatives
Movie # 10 - Part 1 - Field demo using 4x5 camera (Ilford RC MGIV Paper) with a yellow filter.
Part 2 - I conduct a field demonstration of the ISO testing technique and then take you back into the darkroom for the development by inspection of the negatives.
Part 3 - I walk you through step-by-step how to establish DMAX and your standard contact printing time.
Part 4 - We make a contact print from one of the paper negatives and evaluate the results.
Movie # 11 - Part 1 - Field demo using 8x10 camera (Ilford Grade #2 Paper) using the pre-flash technique. I demonstrate how I meter and expose the paper negative in the field. I expose two negatives, one with and another without using the pre-flash technique. Part 2 - I develop the negatives by inspection in the darkroom. Part 3 - I review the developed negatives with you and discuss the results.
Movie # 12 - Field demo using Slavich Single Weight FB Paper to create negatives for making enlargements.
Movie # 13 - Step-by-step making of darkroom enlargement from a paper negative.
Movie # 14 - Discussion of advanced techniques and methods for paper negative manipulation
Movie # 15 - In this video, I walk you through my process of creating a split-grade contact print from start to finish using a paper negative.
Movie # 16 - Step-by-step method to bring your paper negatives into a digital workflow
Movie # 17 - Demonstration of how to convert and manipulate a digitized paper negative in Lightroom
Movie # 18 - Summary and discussion of ideas for further exploration
WHAT DO I NEED?
In order to take full advantage of everything covered in this workshop, you will want to have access to the following materials at some point now or in the future.
For contact prints, you need any type of camera that is the size you want your prints and a simple household light and a dark area to work. I use a sheet of glass to sandwich my negative and printing paper together or you can use a printing frame too.
Basic darkroom printing supplies and chemicals will be needed for both negative and print development. (Developer, Stop Bath, Fixer). I use Dektol in this course, but that is not a requirement.
I recommend starting out with Ilford RC MGIV Glossy and Ilford RC Grade #2 Glossy darkroom papers. I also demonstrate Slavich single weight FB glossy paper.
For enlarged prints from paper negatives, you will need an enlarger for your format.
Misc. items: tracing paper, yellow filter for your camera, number 2 pencil, bee's wax or Dorland's Art Wax.