Darkroom workshop, Sexton vs Barnbaum vs other

txcollins · Mar 8, 2016

I am relatively new to APUG. I have recently started to shot and develop MF using Pentax 67. I have been using a community darkroom but would like to improve my darkroom skills. I was wondering if anyone had first hand experience with either BB or JS workshops. All reviews I could find on Internet are 10+ years old. I am worried that these workshops may be biased towards large format. JS course is 4 1/2 days and BB is 5 1/2 days, but otherwise I am not sure the differences. Anyone have any first hand darkroom workshop experience with these workshops or others? BTW, I am reading all the books I can get my hands on to learn but I thought I would benefit from some in person feedback. Thanks in advance,
Tim

RobC · Mar 8, 2016

This should generate some interesting answers.

David Allen · Mar 9, 2016

Wow, 5 days for $1,250 plus accommodation!

I usually cover the same ground as set out in the workshop description over a weekend. But then again, I always do one-to-one teaching.

As to whether Bruce Barnbaum’s workshops are worth it, this is something only you can decide. I personally find his reasoning in the instructional videos that I have seen to be rather odd - mind you, as a Brit, I do find all of the ‘Baptist preacher’ style of delivery by many American gurus to be irritating.

It would certainly be interesting to hear from someone who has attended one of Sexton or Barnbaum’s workshops.

Bests,

David.
www.dsallen.de

txcollins · Mar 9, 2016

Thanks all for the replies. David, maybe I'll have to come over to Berlin for a visit.

Anyone know of someone who would give a one-on-one workshop here in US? If not one-on-one, other darkroom learning options?

Also, thanks Michael for your reply and comments, very helpful. I will read Rafals writeups as well.

Bob Carnie · Mar 9, 2016

Steve Sherman does one on one workshops and I highly recommend him. He is a great printer.

txcollins said:
Thanks all for the replies. David, maybe I'll have to come over to Berlin for a visit.

Anyone know of someone who would give a one-on-one workshop here in US? If not one-on-one, other darkroom learning options?

Also, thanks Michael for your reply and comments, very helpful. I will read Rafals writeups as well.

David Allen · Mar 9, 2016

txcollins said:
Thanks all for the replies. David, maybe I'll have to come over to Berlin for a visit.

Anyone know of someone who would give a one-on-one workshop here in US? If not one-on-one, other darkroom learning options?

Also, thanks Michael for your reply and comments, very helpful. I will read Rafals writeups as well.

Always welcome and it is a great city with so much European history to digest. I am all about people learning and it is not a business for me. When you want to come to Berlin then give me a call.

Bests,

David.
www.dsallen.de

Ai Print · Mar 20, 2016

Michael R 1974 said:
I've attended John's workshop. It was a wonderful experience. I haven't attended Bruce Barnbaum's workshop but I imagine it is also very good, although his teaching style is different (I'm basing that on his book, articles etc.). One thing you'll get an appreciation for in either case is the enthusiasm, energy and work ethic these guys have.

Who's work do you prefer?

Another starting point could be to ask yourself if you want to attend a hands-on workshop or not. If you take John's workshops as a beginner, you'll learn a lot, but you'll be watching, not "doing". I don't think that's a big deal, but others might prefer a different format.

John is a very open, approachable guy with a lot of experience. His wife and assistant, Anne Larsen co-instructs with him. You can ask anything at any time. The breaks/meals are also enjoyable, with lots of stories about Ansel etc. There's also the portfolio review.

Rafal Lukawiecki did some detailed writeups based on his experiences at John's workshops:

Dead Link Removed

+1 for John's workshop, a very worthwhile experience in a fabulous setting. Also, his is not at all a large format centric workshop, he even discusses his using medium format for ease of use overseas.

Peter Schrager · Mar 21, 2016

david no offense but no one is going to learn photography in a weekend....
if one is going to take a workshop the premise should be on saving time; why not learn it right from the beginning
Barnham and Sexton will save you time
best, peter

mitch brown · Mar 21, 2016

txcollins said:
Thanks all for the replies. David, maybe I'll have to come over to Berlin for a visit.

Anyone know of someone who would give a one-on-one workshop here in US? If not one-on-one, other darkroom learning options?

Also, thanks Michael for your reply and comments, very helpful. I will read Rafals writeups as well.

Alan Ross gives one on one which I have taken ! it was outstanding he also worked for AA and does the special exb prints of AA's.
Mitch

MartinP · Mar 21, 2016

txcollins said:
I have been using a community darkroom but would like to improve my darkroom skills.

The first place to look would be the community darkroom surely? Isn't there a familiarisation, or 'improvers', course there? Or talk with someone experienced while they use the darkroom? Of course, it may be that anyone 'serious' seems to have left to set up their own darkroom, instead of using the communal one!

Did you look in the IfordPhoto darkroom-finder resource page? They have a searchable designation for people who can help with problems, as well as just darkrooms for hire.

36cm2 · Mar 21, 2016

I've attended Barnbaum's Death Valley program. He's great, very inspirational from multiple angles -- field work, artistic aesthetic, technical discussion and group critiques. There is no Baptist delivery, so I'm not sure where that comment is coming from. He also usually has a couple of other major artists with him on these endeavors as well - Jay Dusard is a treasure and great complement in approach. I would sign up for another of Bruce's programs without hesitation.

That said, I'm sure Sexton's and Sherman's are great as well and I'm interested in joining those should the time arise, as well as Coffer for alternatives. I didn't know that Alan Ross still had programs like this. Anyway, lot's of resources still out there. Get on them before that changes.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Mar 21, 2016

txcollins said:
I am relatively new to APUG. I have recently started to shot and develop MF using Pentax 67. I have been using a community darkroom but would like to improve my darkroom skills. I was wondering if anyone had first hand experience with either BB or JS workshops.

If you're relatively new to B&W printing I would probably wear out the internet asking and learning about technique, then spend a lot of time in the darkroom printing, evaluating, learning by doing. Make sure you are developing your film properly so that you get good, printable negatives. (If you're a medium format guy you may want to look into divided developers like Diafine, Barry Thornton Two Bath or Divided Pyrocat-HD. Those, along with some metering skills, will give you good, solid, printable negatives.)

Get some good experience and then the workshops will be all that much more valuable. Might also want to check out Barnbaum's book which has a ton of information on B&W printing.

And get an f-stop timer!

36cm2 · Mar 25, 2016

Couldn't resist. You inspired me. Signed up for Steve Sherman's printing workshop. Thank you for the cerebral nudge.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 25, 2016

txcollins said:
I am relatively new to APUG. I have recently started to shot and develop MF using Pentax 67. I have been using a community darkroom but would like to improve my darkroom skills. I was wondering if anyone had first hand experience with either BB or JS workshops. All reviews I could find on Internet are 10+ years old. I am worried that these workshops may be biased towards large format. JS course is 4 1/2 days and BB is 5 1/2 days, but otherwise I am not sure the differences. Anyone have any first hand darkroom workshop experience with these workshops or others? BTW, I am reading all the books I can get my hands on to learn but I thought I would benefit from some in person feedback. Thanks in advance,
Tim

John Sexton's workshop is great but you should have some experience going in to get the most out of it

Darkroom workshop, Sexton vs Barnbaum vs other

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