I just got back from Montana where I attended Photographers' Formulary's Carbon Printing Workshop with Sandy King. All I can say is WOW! Carbon printing is an amazing process. The image relief we were getting really wowed us.
The week started with meeting all the participants and Sandy King, our instructor. He walked us through the process and how to create negatives with the right contrast for the most image relief. He then created the first carbon print using premade carbon tissue from Bostick & Sullivan. Later that afternoon and evening we created our own carbon tissue (a several hour process with all the melting). What a blast - mixing and pouring your own emulsion (carbon tissue).
Between making and using our own carbon tissue and the premade we all ended up with some wonderful prints. Thursday we took time out to go photograph in an old ghost town and then back to making our own carbon prints.
A word about Sandy. My wife came with me and he took the time to teach her VanDyke and Kallitype. My wife has always been so-so about photography and with his instruction she's now excited. I told Sandy that that only was worth a million dollars to me (and she just let me buy a Nuart vacuum table - UV light source - all without bating a eye). Sandy also took the time to personally walk me through his process to stand develop PyroCat negs.
Several of us did a print exchange and Sandy participated, so I now am the proud owner of a Sandy King original carbon print. I've attended a number of workshops and never has the instructor been so giving of his time, knowledge and even prints.
The facilities are first rate, the location is spectacular and the food was great. The Formulary hopes to run this workshop again next year. Start saving now because if you want to try any alternative photographic process this is the one to try and the Formulary is the place to take it. My wife already wants to sign up to learn carbon printing from Sandy next year. It was also greating meeting some other APUGers.
Thanks again Sandy King and Photographers' Formulary. See you next year.
The week started with meeting all the participants and Sandy King, our instructor. He walked us through the process and how to create negatives with the right contrast for the most image relief. He then created the first carbon print using premade carbon tissue from Bostick & Sullivan. Later that afternoon and evening we created our own carbon tissue (a several hour process with all the melting). What a blast - mixing and pouring your own emulsion (carbon tissue).
Between making and using our own carbon tissue and the premade we all ended up with some wonderful prints. Thursday we took time out to go photograph in an old ghost town and then back to making our own carbon prints.
A word about Sandy. My wife came with me and he took the time to teach her VanDyke and Kallitype. My wife has always been so-so about photography and with his instruction she's now excited. I told Sandy that that only was worth a million dollars to me (and she just let me buy a Nuart vacuum table - UV light source - all without bating a eye). Sandy also took the time to personally walk me through his process to stand develop PyroCat negs.
Several of us did a print exchange and Sandy participated, so I now am the proud owner of a Sandy King original carbon print. I've attended a number of workshops and never has the instructor been so giving of his time, knowledge and even prints.
The facilities are first rate, the location is spectacular and the food was great. The Formulary hopes to run this workshop again next year. Start saving now because if you want to try any alternative photographic process this is the one to try and the Formulary is the place to take it. My wife already wants to sign up to learn carbon printing from Sandy next year. It was also greating meeting some other APUGers.
Thanks again Sandy King and Photographers' Formulary. See you next year.
