Symposium on the history of photographic paper

Michel Hardy-Vallée

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The Lens Media Lab at Yale University (New Haven, CT) will be hosting on 12 August the symposium "Darkroom to data": https://www.darkroomtodata.org/

These fine people have done extensive research in the material history of black and white photographic paper, since they have one of the largest collection of B&W papers. They have devised protocols for measuring surface texture, analyzed paper bases, optical brighteners, researched the history of manufacturers, and so forth.

I can't go but I thought someone here might be interested.

Also of note is that this event will serve as the launch of their Papberbase platform, an online resource to make all the data they have collected available.
 

mshchem

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Looks to be fascinating! I would love to go but no time. Looks to be aimed at academics and the like. This is an important topic.
 

moggi1964

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I know it's dealing with analogue stuff but you would think they might stream it. Much of it appears to be over my head but there are some things I would enjoy watching/listening to.
 
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Michel Hardy-Vallée

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Yeah, I was hoping too they would stream. I'll ask them, maybe they haven't set it up yet.
 

Peter Schrager

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Michel thanks for the heads up
I'm right down the street and I've been making my own emulsions for printing out paper now for almost 4 years. I actually tried contacting them not too long ago but never heard back
I'll attempt to find this thread again and report back
 

Peter Schrager

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Just to share there's a place in Belgium called FOMU that is the repository for lots of paper and other related items from the photo company Gavaert which had a long history in making photographic materials
I believe one can go there also
 
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Michel Hardy-Vallée

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Peter Schrager said:
Fomu.be
Has a nice website!
Click to expand...

Ah, I recognize some people in there. Thanks for the link, I'll keep it around. Yes, the Gevaert company was producing film and papers, and AGFA eventually bought them.

Still waiting for feedback from the conference people about the possibility of a livestream, will tell you once I hear from them.
 

Rrrgcy

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Can anyone share notes, panel powerpoints, any transcript, of this Yale University symposium? Doubt anything is available less you attended and took notes. As per website,

* “The symposium will be recorded but with no current plan for editing or providing access. The symposium will not be livestreamed…”

Maddening, geez, because you would think it would be widely shared.
 
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Peter Schrager

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I attended the conference
I will be happy to write down some insights as they gave out a handbook for the conference
Stay posted please
 
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Michel Hardy-Vallée

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Peter Schrager said:
I attended the conference
I will be happy to write down some insights as they gave out a handbook for the conference
Stay posted please
Click to expand...

Oh, awesome! I'm so glad you did. Looking forward to your notes!
 

Peter Schrager

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Darkroom to Data
Session 1: Paperbase
lens media lab background collection
exploring the material history of black and white paper
paper base as a tool for photo historical research
Session 2iscoveries
Optical brighteners in photo paper; new methods data and resulta
marking history: progress and insights into the study of photo paper backprinting
paper manufacturing histories
the Gaevert paper project
Session 3: Partner Research
man ray's photos: a muti collection assessment organized by the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Characterization of Robert Mapplethorpe prints at the Guggenheim Museum
Sphere of influence: material affinities in the photos of Lola Alvarez Bravo; Tina Modotti; and Edward Weston
Session 4: lens media lab legacies and future
The LML collection of photo paper
The LML method
the LML sample book: a new tool for describing the visual attributes of photos
Wrap up and vision for the future
 

moggi1964

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Thank you Peter.
 
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Michel Hardy-Vallée

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Thanks Peter, I saw that their tools are now online:

Projects | Lens Media Lab

lml.yale.edu

The Paperbase looks like a fascinating data set, but I'll need a tutorial to use it... Very cool looking anyway.
 

Peter Schrager

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I was sent the recording of the event
PM me if interersted please
 
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