Digital Negatives & Alternative Process Printing - Winter 2027

Digital technology has revitalized interest in historic photographic processes by no longer requiring the use of large-format cameras and specialized film development techniques. Now any camera, digital or analog, can be used together with photo inkjet printers to make the negatives needed for alternative processes. In this course, students will be introduced to the unique aesthetics of alternative printmaking by learning traditional cyanotype, kallitype, and Van Dyke Brown processes. Instruction will cover how to make digital negatives, mix chemistry, coat, expose, and process prints in the wet darkroom. Students will come away from class with the foundational knowledge to continue working with these and other historic processes on their own.

No prior experience with alternative processes required. Students will work in the PCNW digital labs, equipped with Mac computers and appropriate software. While students are welcome to bring their personal laptops for general workflow and editing, it will be necessary to utilize the PCNW Mac computers for the digital negative profiling and printing steps.

Prerequisites: Photography I: B&W and experience editing and printing using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom or similar software required. Photography I: Digital, Digital Tools for Film Photographers, or Photography III: Digital courses recommended. Digital Tools for Film Photographers may be taken concurrently with this class.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Learn how to make alternative process prints using cyanotype, kallitype, and Van Dyke Brown processes
• Print digital negatives and generate the necessary adjustment profiles to represent tonal information needed for contact printing
• Acquire a technical foundation to explore more historic processes after class

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR STUDENTS

• Students must have proficient working knowledge of black and white darkroom procedures (required) as covered in Photography I: Black & White, and familiarity with basic digital image editing as coverd in Photography I: Digital. Experience working in Adobe Photoshop is helpful.
• Weekly attendance is vital to student success in PCNW courses. We require that students attend the first meeting in order to retain their spot in the class. A waiver may be granted if permission is given by, and subsequent arrangements made with, both the PCNW Registrar and Faculty. Please see our Education Policies for details about attendance policies and academic expectations.
• Intermediate and advanced courses have prerequisites which students must satisfy prior to enrollment. Prerequisites may be waived based on experience or prior courses taken through other institutions. To verify that you meet the prerequisite(s) for a course, contact Jennifer Brendicke, Registrar at jbrendicke@pcnw.org.
• PCNW adheres to a strict payment, cancellation and refund policy.Please review our Payment & Refund Policies prior to registration.
• The Materials Fee for the course includes materials used for demonstrations and other costs associated with in-class use of the digital lab and darkroom. Students will be required to purchase additional digital printing materials and silver gelatin paper to complete assignments for the course.
• Additional materials and supplies, not covered by a materials fee for a course, are the responsibility of the student. Detailed information about course expectations, required texts and materials will be provided at the start of the quarter. The cost of individual materials/supplies and rental fees required for completing assignments for this course will vary depending on student preferences.
• Students should prepare to spend several hours per week completing assignments outside of class, which may require use of the PCNW facilities; view our Rental Rates for details about additional fees. Rental fees for use of PCNW Facilities are a separate cost from tuition.

Images © Andrej Gregov