Introduction to the Darkroom

On day one, you’ll learn how to use our professional darkroom safely and effectively, and the basic printing techniques you can use. We will start with an introduction to the course and to how to use the facilities, then we’ll dive straight into a hands-on workshop looking at photograms and how to use easels. In the afternoon we will explore how to hand process black and white film, with a hand tanking workshop followed by a contact sheets workshop. There will be plenty of time for experimentation and play, whilst being supported throughout by our course tutors. 

Now you’ve got the basics covered, our second day will focus on at more advanced darkroom techniques. We will explore techniques including dodge burn, split grade, and split grade dodge and burn. We’ll finish the afternoon by moving to our gallery space where we will review our prints together, discuss learnings, and celebrate achievements to end the course. 

There is an optional addition of 2 days’ further access to the black and white darkroom on days 3 and 4 to continue developing your printing skills. These days are not taught, but there will be ad-hoc supervision and support available from our technical team at the Institute of Photography as required, and feedback available during the afternoons from one of the course leaders.   

Please note that there is an additional cost for this optional addition, and materials for this are chargeable separately. 

Expect a practical course where most of our time will be spent in the darkroom and exploring printing techniques. You’ll learn via hands-on demonstrations from our experienced course tutors. 

Please bring a shot roll of 35mm Ilford HP5 B+W film, ready to be processed.  

If you are unable or do not wish to do so, or if there is any issue with your film, we will provide B+W negatives that can be used to print with. 

​Please remember to bring a packed lunch with you.   

All materials you will need are included in the course fee, together with tea/coffee and free parking on campus.  Please note that if you would like to process your own film you will need to bring a shot roll of 35mm Ilford HP5 B&W film, but if not we’ll provide negatives that you can use. 

If you would like to book the optional bolt-on access to the darkroom following this course 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.  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.​  

​​​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. ​ 

​​If you would like to extend your access to the darkroom following this course to continue practicing the skills you have learned, you can book an additional 2 days’ supported access to the darkroom. These 2 days will run immediately after the final course date and are based on access time between 9am and 5pm, with ad-hoc support from the technical team at our Institute of Photography and Steph (our course leader) with you during the afternoons for support and available for critique at the end of each day. This is charged additionally at £72 for the supported access (payable in advance), plus any materials you require which will be payable via card on the day directly to the Institute of Photography stores desk. ​