Liquid Light Mementos

A common adage is that photography is painting with light. In this workshop, put this into practice by experimenting with the application of liquid silver gelatin emulsion to produce photographic prints using painterly methods, taught by 2021 PhotoAccess Wide Angle Resident Eunie Kim.

Participants will be encouraged to bring personal objects from home which have sentimental value, represent something about themselves, or express something about their own underlying story. In the workshop we will photograph and re-imagine these objects, and add to them new layers of meaning in the style of a still life, landscape, or ink painting. Using these photographic emulsion techniques the familiar can be transformed and take on a new life.

A series of steps will be undertaken, beginning with discovering the subject to photograph, capturing them on analogue film, choosing the texture of the paper medium, applying liquid light emulsion, and then developing the final prints. By exploring how the emulsion can be applied by hand in different ways, such as by brushstroke, an exploratory and tactile aspect is added to the photographic development process.

Liquid silver gelatin emulsion is a light-sensitive solution that can be applied to surfaces, exposed to light, and then developed using standard darkroom practices. The use of different combinations of technique and paper choice means no two prints are exactly the same. The outcome of these choices is unknown until the final print is revealed in the darkroom. Embrace mystery and take creative chances as you’re introduced to the vast potential of this alternative photography process.

This workshop will run over four Sundays from the 17th of July to the 7th of August, 10am-1pm at PhotoAccess in the Manuka Arts Centre. A basic or introductory level of darkroom experience is desirable but not essential. Those without experience can advise us prior to the workshop and further support will be provided.
Participants will get an email with further instructions before the workshop.

Session One, Sunday 17th July, 10am-1pm

• Introduction to the workshop
• Discussion about ideas
• Taking photographs with 35mm film
• Developing film

Session Two, Sunday 24th July, 10am-1pm

• Introduction to liquid light process and paper choices
• Liquid light application on paper in the darkroom
• Developing film

Session Three, Sunday 31th July, 10am-1pm

• Introduction to the darkroom process with liquid light emulsion
• Liquid light application on your choice of paper
• Printing images in the darkroom

Session Four, Sunday 7th August, 10am-1pm

• Reviews and printing images in the darkroom

• A roll of 35mm black and white film
• A bottle of liquid light emulsion (236ml)
• 10 sheets of A4 watercolour paper
• All the chemicals and equipment required to process and print

• Your own 35mm camera: please contact us if you need to borrow one from PhotoAccess
• Personal objects from home that you’d like to photograph
• Preferred choice of paper (advice will be provided at the first session)

Enrolments for this workshop close at 5pm on Tuesday July 5th, 2022. As a not-for-profit, our financial margins are narrow and classes require a minimum number of participants to run. In the event that PhotoAccess cancels a workshop, refunds will be paid in full or a transfer allowed free of charge. If a class is postponed, we will endeavour to reschedule at a time convenient to enrolled participants.

PhotoAccess will happily refund or transfer workshop fees up to 7 days prior to the start date of the workshop. If less than 7 days’ notice is given, PhotoAccess can offer a partial refund. Alternatively, enrolment can transfer to another workshop plus a $50 transfer fee. If less than 48 hours are given, no refunds or transfers can be given. Please note that memberships purchased in conjunction with a workshop enrolment are non-refundable. See Terms and Conditions for further details.