Alternative Photography Workshop Series

Day 1 - Intro to Camera-less Photography

This 3-in-1 session is a hands-on opportunity to explore the interactions between light, chemistry, and natural materials through three camera-less photographic techniques. You’ll learn how light, chemicals and time affect silver gelatin (darkroom photo) paper to create unique, one-of-a-kind images. No camera required—just your creativity and a sense of discovery. We begin with Lumen prints, where you’ll expose plants and other natural objects onto light-sensitive paper to create direct impressions. Then on to Chemigrams, using a combination of light, chemicals, and masking techniques to create abstract, layered images. Finally, we’ll explore Phytograms, which combine the techniques of both Lumens and Chemigrams, using plant materials to create photographic impressions with both light and home-made chemistry. 

Day 2 - Cyanotype: History, Processes, and Creative Applications

Learn the art of cyanotype printing, from coating and exposing your own prints to experimenting with a version of the wet cyanotype technique. We’ll begin with a brief history of the process and look at how artists from various disciplines have employed this technique in their work. The session will also cover the environmental benefits of cyanotype printing and offer ideas for creative approaches to the process. You’ll learn how to print on a variety of materials, while considering the diverse applications of cyanotype within the broader world of photography and art. 

We will also ask you to e-mail a photo if you would like to use one of your own for day 3, and to bring in some natural materials to tone with if you would like to do so (or if not there will be plenty of examples available to use). 

Day 3 - Advanced Cyanotype: Digital Negatives, Toners, and Duo-Tone 

Following on from day 2 we will dive into more advanced cyanotype methods, focusing on creating images from digital negatives and experimenting with natural toners to add rich, unique hues to your prints. You’ll also explore the duo-tone technique, layering different cyanotype exposures to produce striking, multi-tonal compositions. This session will push the boundaries of the traditional cyanotype process, offering new ways to enhance your prints and expand your creative possibilities. 

Day 4 – Experimental Darkroom: Breaking the Rules 

Bring your own black and white negatives, or use one of ours, because on day 4 we’ll start by creating a basic black and white silver gelatin print following the traditional, technically accurate rules of the darkroom… and then break every single one of them! Let’s play, and see what happens when we: 

• Bring light into the darkroom 
• Expose the print after developing 
• Change the chemistry order 

…and much more! You’ll be encouraged to paint, soak, mask and play with the photographic process in unexpected ways, discovering how subverting the traditional methods leads to entirely new, creative outcomes. 

Day 5: Mordançage: Degradation and Manipulation in Darkroom Prints 

On our final day, we’ll culminate our week’s exploration with the meditative Mordançage process: a challenging modern take on an older photographic technique. Mordançage is an alternative process that alters black and white silver gelatin prints, creating a distinctive degraded effect. The Mordançage solution works in two ways: chemically bleaching the print and lifting the black areas of the emulsion away from the paper, producing a unique veiled appearance. We’ll begin with a brief history of the process, followed by guidance on how to plan your Mordançage from the early stages of shooting. You’ll learn how to bleach, etch, redevelop, and manipulate the veils of your sample print, as well as apply these techniques to your own images. The session will also cover creative applications, allowing you to experiment with this process and explore the diverse ways it can enhance your prints. 

​​You’ll be engaging in hands-on, experimental processes that push the boundaries of traditional photography. Expect to work with a variety of alternative techniques, including camera-less methods, cyanotype printing, and darkroom manipulation. You’ll experiment with chemicals, light, and different materials, often challenging the established photographic rules. Bring your sense of curiosity with you! 

​After time at the start of each day for discussion and tea/coffee, each taught workshop session runs from 10am to 1pm. The formal teaching finishes each day at this point. In the afternoons there is flexible self-study time for additional exploration, if you wish to do so. This afternoon time in our facilities will not be taught but support will be available as and when required. Expect to push your creative boundaries, learn new techniques, and leave with a diverse body of work that reflects your discoveries throughout the week. 

​Days 1 and 5 are in white-light, days 2, 3 and 4 are in red-light. 

​Arrival: 9.30am (welcome and refreshments) 

​Half-day workshop each day: 10am – 1pm 

​Optional flexible time in our facilities for further exploration: 2pm – 4.30pm 

​​All materials you will need for the taught workshop sessions are provided. There will be options to bring your own photographs and negatives you may wish to work with, or use ours if you do not want to bring your own. These are as follows:  

• ​A photo you wish to use for Advanced Cyanotype on day 3, and any gathered natural materials that you want to experiment with as toners. 
• ​Your own black and white negatives for our Experimental Darkroom session on day 4. 
• ​Your own black and white silver gelatin prints for our Mordançage session on day 5.  

​However, we’ll have plenty of examples for you to use if you don’t want to bring your own. 

​Please ensure that you are wearing completely closed footwear e.g. no flip flops or sandals. We will supply you with PPE, including lab coats, to shield you from any accidental splashes of liquid chemicals. However, we recommend that you wear clothing that you wouldn’t mind getting stained, as an extra precaution. 

​Please remember to bring a packed lunch with you.  

​​All materials you will need for the taught workshop sessions are included in the course fee, together with tea/coffee and free parking on campus.  If you would like to stay on for the optional afternoon self-study sessions and require any additional materials, these can be purchased from our on-site photo stores team at the Institute of Photography.​ 

​​Tea/coffee is included each day. The taught workshop sessions finish at lunchtime each day, so if you would like to stay on for the optional afternoon self-study then we recommend bringing a packed lunch or visiting one of our campus cafés. ​ 

​​This course is taught in our specialised facilities at the Institute of Photography on our Penryn campus.  

​There is plenty of parking available on our Penryn campus and you can also reach us via a range of public transport options. You can find out more, here.  

​For campus maps and information on visiting us, please visit our How to find us page.​ 

​​This course is suitable for all experience levels, with no pre-requisite knowledge. However please note that it is not suitable for those who are pregnant due to the chemicals used.​ 

​​​Accommodation is not included in this course cost. If you would like to book accommodation, please see our accommodation for short course students page for a range of options. ​