I also took a Jim Megargee class in NYC back in 2006. Is he still doing it?
Lynn Radeka with Ron Gaut, and guest visits by masking-master Dr. Dennis McNutt, will teach and demonstrate various techniques of making and using several types of contrast masks such as the Unsharp Mask, the Contrast Reduction Mask, Shadow Contrast Increase Masks, Highlight Masks, Dodge Masks and Fog Masks. Students will view comparison prints showing the profound improvements that masks can make in actual prints. Using participant's negatives, as well as Lynn's original negatives, appropriate masks will be determined and made under Lynn's guidance. Afterwards, participants will make prints from those masked negatives and discuss the improvements in print quality.
I think perhaps the question would work better if it's clear what the learning objectives are. When it comes to practices like darkroom printing, IMO as you develop to a more advanced stage, the field also starts to fan out pretty broadly and a comprehensive curriculum ceases to be feasible. At that point something like an apprenticeship starts to make more sense as it'll take an immersive experience to encompass the entire breadth of the territory.comprehensive advanded (and very advanced) level darkroom courses
I think perhaps the question would work better if it's clear what the learning objectives are. When it comes to practices like darkroom printing, IMO as you develop to a more advanced stage, the field also starts to fan out pretty broadly and a comprehensive curriculum ceases to be feasible. At that point something like an apprenticeship starts to make more sense as it'll take an immersive experience to encompass the entire breadth of the territory.
Having said that - no, sorry; no direct answer. Just a suggestion above about making the search more focused. Also, are you inquiring for someone else, for yourself, or as part of preparing a publication/research?
Hello Koraks,
You are right, that is the status quo.
To be more specific I am worrying that the know how, expertise and visual culture of the (already almost extinct) Master Printers will fade away as we age, leaving just mediocrity behind.
We have some excellent text books covering most of the topics from the technical point of view, but sharing experiences is absolutely necessary to get fine results.
An apprenticeship is a long and slow process that is not focused and will not answer the needs of those who have a vision or need to develop their personal style, so for some (maybe a very limited number) of people getting a suitable guidance seems to be almost impossible today.
Generally speaking I have the sad feeling that most film photographer and darkroom printers have no idea of what a really fine print is, and consequently will consider printing just a matter of some technical procedure, tricks and some good taste. There is more.
So to answer, I would like to know if there are people offering superior tuition in this field because I think that those few ones shall try to join forces. I've been offering courses, workshops and master classes since 1996, and I feel now quite lonely.
You are not alone, I teach gum over pd, as well silver to the right mix of students... Too many people think a workshop will improve their work, what it will do is open their eyes to the possibilities available to them. I am spending a day this week on a private silver one on one, next week a calibration workshop is being taught at our space, we just finished two rounds of beginnner gum over pd, and one round of advance gum over in the last two months.
I have found that it is possible for students to learn a complete workflow from us but they need to have at there hometowns the right equipment to practice and print what we taught.
Unfortunately we just lost one of the great workshop teachers, my friend Bill Schwab and it is a big blow to all of us who knew Bill.
To be more specific I am worrying that the know how, expertise and visual culture of the (already almost extinct) Master Printers will fade away as we age, leaving just mediocrity behind.
Perfect! Let's hope some more names are being offered.This thread maybe can become a starting point to make a list of people and places where it is still possible to get superior education in darkroom printing and photography.
Okay, gotcha; I understand your position and I agree with it.
I agree it would be desirable if the present, still-living generation of pro/expert darkroom printers could pass on their craft in some way. Either through workshops or through apprenticeships. I really like that @Carnie Bob chimed in; what he quite modestly didn't mention is that he's really making a difference in this regard by having a select few (or at least one) long-term apprentice working with him on a daily basis. I think that's the sort of thing we really need to keep the art alive.
As to workshops, I think we need to also realize that some people are really good at darkroom printing (in some of its wide range of aspects and forms), others are really good at teaching, and a very select few are good at both. Then there's the practical matter of time, motivation etc. to put together a curriculum. I think this is where most of the potential embers die out. If you're a reasonably successful commercial printer, I imagine that's what you aim to do with as much of your working time as possible. Teaching would come on top of that and takes a lot of energy (even though you get a lot in return as well).
One other thought that I have been entertaining for some time, but that I just haven't gotten round to, is to do some kind of interview or article series on darkroom practitioners where we go through parts of the art, craft, magic & dirty business in a Q&A fashion. I know, that's not really a substitute for hands-on training, but I think most of us realize that if you already have a basic skillset, you can often make a lot out of even a written or recorded description. And of course, one endeavor doesn't exclude the other.
Perhaps this is something (and I'd like to signal in the rest of the forum staff on this as well) we could play a role in as an online community/platform. While we may probably not start organizing workshops etc., when it comes to disseminating information, we have a role to play. I'm willing to dedicate some time and effort on this for sure.
I think your best bet would be to try and locate an excellent darkroom printer and approach him or her for private lessons. But be aware that not everyone who has the skills is a good teacher.
Good point, as well the student must be able to actively pursue what they learned to completely take advantage of what they were being taught. I am naturally quite cranky and swear alot so I may be quite inappropriate for some settings. I think I am getting better at it but I can say with certantiy I would be a disaster in a school setting with young students.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?