Intro to Black-and-White Film Photography: From Camera to Darkroom

Immerse yourself in the complete analog experience through this intensive workshop that bridges the gap between operating a 35mm camera and the magic of darkroom printing. Over the course of 12 hours, you will understand the full cycle of traditional photography, from loading and exposing film on day one to creating your own enlargements on day two. This course provides the comprehensive foundation necessary to transition into Black and White Film Photography, Level 1, or for some, to move directly into Level 2.

Course Structure

• Duration: 12 instructional hours.
• The Journey: A two-part immersion starting with camera controls and hand-processing film, followed by a dedicated day in the darkroom engaging with contact sheets and negative enlargement.
• Skill level: Beginner; no prior analog experience is required.
• Included in your tuition: Two rolls of 400 ISO black-and-white film, negative sleeves, and a box of 25 sheets of RC photographic paper, provided by ICP.

Students of this course also receive: 10 additional hours of lab time to complete class and personal projects, free entry to the museum, discounts at the ICP Café and ICP Bookshop, use of ICP’s extensive research library, and a lifelong connection to New York's most vibrant photography community.

What will you learn?

• Technical: A deep dive into the exposure triangle of aperture, shutter speed and ISO, and how to properly load and advance film in a manual 35mm camera.
• Film Processing: How to hand-process your own film using traditional chemistry to produce high-quality negatives.
• Darkroom craft: The complete printing process, including making contact sheets, using enlargers and timers, and developing final prints.

How will you learn?

• Fieldwork: A mixture of lectures and demos followed by active photography time outside to document a variety of scenes, from portraits to urban landscapes.
• Hands-on practice: Dedicated lab time to process up to two rolls of film and produce several silver-gelatin prints
• Expert demonstration: Step by step guide on using darkroom equipment to fine-tune your exposures through targeted test-strip exercises.
• Collaborative critique: A final wrap-up session to review images and discuss the relationship between the negative and the final print.

What are the course outcomes for me?

• Full-cycle proficiency: Understand how each stage of the analog process interrelates to create a final image.
• Technical confidence: Become proficient in manual camera operation and the hand-processing of film.
• Tangible results: Walk away with developed negatives, contact sheets, and a selection of well-exposed prints.

Who should attend?

• Analog enthusiasts: Individuals who want a tactile, start-to-finish introduction to the traditional photography workflow.
• Digital natives: Experienced digital photographers who understand exposure but have never experienced the chemistry of the darkroom.
• Fast-track learners: Students looking for an accelerated, intensive weekend format to jumpstart their analog practice, and for those looking to start the full Black and White course series. .

Course Level / Prerequisite: Beginner. No prior photography experience is needed for these foundation courses.

Students are encouraged to review ICP's Classroom Disclaimer for current information regarding COVID-19 policies, classroom guidelines, and more. These policies are subject to change at anytime.

Courses are subject to minimum enrollment. Please register early, within five days of the start-date, to reduce the likelihood of course cancellation and to ensure you receive all course-related materials in time to prepare for class. Registration for this course will close one day prior to the start date of the course.

Fee Breakdown