ARTISTIC EXPERIMENTS IN THE DARKROOM

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Course Structure

This course offers students the opportunity to develop individual photographic projects, exploring both traditional and alternative darkroom techniques. Students may choose to work with conventional silver gelatin printing or experiment with processes such as cyanotypes, plant-based photo chemicals, pinhole photography, interventions on negatives or photographic paper, and photograms. The curriculum is designed to foster creativity and conceptual depth, encouraging students to discover and refine their unique artistic voices.

Beyond technical instruction, this course will engage students in a critical dialogue about the relevance of analog photography in an era dominated by digital imaging. Through discussions and research, students will examine their personal creative output within both historical and contemporary artistic contexts.

Each session will be divided into two key components

1. Lecture and Discussion (First Hour)
   The course will begin with a lecture and discussion led by the instructor, introducing students to the work of renowned artists who employ traditional and alternative darkroom techniques. These presentations will draw from art history and the history of photography, with a particular emphasis on contemporary artists. The goal is to provide students with references that inform and inspire their own projects. Furthermore, by examining current artistic practices, students will gain insight into the contemporary photographic landscape and situate their own work in dialogue with artists of their time. This portion of the class will also serve as a space for students to present and discuss the progress of their work, receive feedback, and engage in peer critique.
   
2. Studio Practice and Experimentation (Two Hours)
   The remainder of each session will be dedicated to hands-on darkroom experimentation. Students will work on their individual projects, applying techniques introduced during the course. The instructor will provide guidance, technical support, and demonstrations of analog processes such as cyanotype and anthotype, among others.
3. Final Project
   By the end of the course, students will complete a final project consisting of a series of images that reflect the evolution of their artistic vision. Through this work, students will demonstrate their technical proficiency, conceptual growth, and engagement with historical and contemporary photographic practices.