Join us in our historic process laboratory this summer!

There are no available registration dates at this time.

Learn to make hand made photographs in the darkroom! We’ll work with 19th century processes: the cyanotype, gum bichromate, salted paper and collodion as well as a large mural on cloth. In this workshop  you will develop your personal photography in a completely new way.

Through daily discussions, critiques, assignments and experimentation, participants photograph with a newfound understanding of photo history and technique. Students experiment with plastic cameras and a variety of formats and discover the possibilities of working with various light capturing devices. From 11×14 pinhole cameras to 4×5 and 8×10 view cameras, students learn the advantages, excitement, and craft of creating photographs with new tools. Students create both paper negatives and conventional film negatives in large formats with the available large format cameras.

Image Credit:  Darcy Aders

With negatives made in the field, students explore the artistic possibilities of working in non-silver, antique and alternative processes. Brenton demonstrates a number of hand applied emulsion processes while teaching his students to use the techniques just as photographers have over the years.  Students make contact prints on Salted paper, Kallitypes, Cyanotype, and Gum Bichromate. As students master these new shooting, processes and printing techniques, a new portfolio of work develops.

Students may request a transcript that they can provide to their high school to apply for credit if desired

Prerequisite:
This two-week program is designed for high school students between the ages of 14 and 18. Students must have a solid grasp of darkroom techniques. Admission is by completion of the Young Photographers or Advanced Young Photographers workshops, by portfolio review, or by permission of the instructor.

What you will learn:
Students leave this workshop with a complete single portfolio of work for college preparation or future photography work. Hands on experience with a variety of different paper types and cameras, also a solid grasp of historical photographic knowledge and technique.

What you will need:
Students should bring a 35mm manual film camera, lens, and film. Unfortunately Maine Media doesn’t have film, film cameras or paper available for loan or purchase. A supply list will be provided near the time of the course.


About the Young Artists Program: Young Artists’ days are comprised of both classroom and field/location work: lectures and critiques, demonstrations, shooting, editing, writing, computer workflow and/or darkroom work, depending on the workshop. All instructors are talented industry professionals as well as experienced educators, and each works with a teaching assistant, providing additional support for their class. The students are busy all day and into the mid-evening hours, attending presentations from visiting master faculty. All Young Artists reside at a nearby residence (a motel-style building, with four students to a room, gender specific, and private bath) located 3/4 of a mile from campus. The property is controlled by Maine Media Workshops and is used exclusively by students, selected staff, and their counselors. Students are shuttled to the main campus each morning for breakfast and to begin their day, and are driven back at the end of the each day, following their last class or other scheduled activity. All meals are taken together. Parents can indicate any special dietary needs upon registration. Counselors supervise the students 24 hours a day, and help make group decisions about weekend activities like swimming, bowling and hiking. Coin laundry facilities are available on campus. A lobster dinner is served (there are other choices) on the last Friday night of each workshop, and all Workshops students gather for an evening presentation of highlights from the week’s work. Parents are welcome to attend and meal tickets may be purchased in the Registration Office.

Image Credit:  Darcy Aders

We recommend students have access to $150 over the two-week period for incidentals, snacks, movies, field trips etc.

Check-in is on Sunday, between 3 and 6 and departure is on Saturday morning.

Tuition Note: includes room and board

Past student work (left to right): Eva Gondelman, Alec Berger, Caitlyn Stachura, Molly Moir

 

 

This Workshop is Sponsored by:

 

 

Header Image Credit: Aidan Bliss

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Instructor: Brenton Hamilton

Brenton holds his MFA in photography from the Savannah College of Art & Design. His teaching specialties include, B&W Craft,  Historic Processes, and the History of Photography. Brenton is an enthusiastic workshop leader exhibiting special care and interest in the teaching process and experience for his students.