About ​
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One of the earliest and most accessible photographic printing processes, known for its rich brown tones and distinctive textured finish.
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Hands-on Workshop – A 2-day immersive experience in creating handmade photographic prints using traditional Van Dyke Brown techniques.
Insight – Discover the origins of photographic printing through a process that emphasises craftsmanship and materiality.
Process – Learn to coat paper with a sensitising ferric ammonium citrate and silver nitrate solution, then expose your prints to UV light for development.
Gain a deep, tactile understanding of image creation through hands-on, material-based learning.
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10 sheets of A4 paper (including sheets for test prints)
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Access to a fully equipped studio.
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Note:
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The digital negative transparency will not be provided by Studio A89 and must be outsourced independently.Studio A89 can assist in the outsourcing process.
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Food and accommodation are to be arranged by the participants themselves.​
Price: 14,000 INR
Duration : 2 days
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Van Dyke Brown Printing Workshop Structure
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Duration: 2 Days
Time: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM (including a 1 PM to 2 PM lunch break)
Location: Studio A89, Noida
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About the Workshop
Van Dyke Brown is one of the earliest photographic printing processes, celebrated for its warm brown tones and rich textured finish. This immersive two-day workshop offers hands-on training in this historic method, inviting participants to connect deeply with the materials and techniques that shaped early photography.
You will learn to hand-coat paper with ferric ammonium citrate and silver nitrate solutions, then expose and develop prints under UV light. This process provides a tactile and conceptual understanding of image-making, rooted in photographic origins.
Day-Wise Workshop Breakdown
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Day 1 – Introduction & Preparation
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Morning:
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History and context of Van Dyke Brown printing
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Overview of process: chemistry, materials, and safety protocols
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Demonstration: preparing sensitizing solutions and coating paper
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Hands-on: participants coat their own papers
Afternoon:
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Drying coated papers
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Introduction to digital negatives: sizing, contrast tips, and preparation
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Test exposures using natural or artificial UV light
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Creating initial photograms or contact prints for practice
Day 2 – Exposure, Development & Final Prints
Morning:
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Review and critique of test prints; discussion on improvements
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Exposure of final prints with participants’ digital negatives
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Washing, fixing, and optional toning (iron or sepia toning techniques)
Afternoon:
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Second printing session to refine techniques
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Drying and finishing prints for archival quality
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Group critique, feedback, and sharing of final work
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Wrap-up discussion on contemporary applications of Van Dyke Brown printing
Materials Provided
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10 sheets of A4 paper (including test prints)
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All necessary chemicals: ferric ammonium citrate, silver nitrate, fixer
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UV exposure setup
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Access to a fully equipped darkroom studio
Please Note
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Digital negatives (transparency prints) are not provided by Studio A89 but can be outsourced independently. The studio will assist in the outsourcing process if needed.
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Participants are encouraged to carry:
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A notebook, pen/pencil
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Apron, gloves and a generic surgical mask (recommended for handling chemicals)
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Food and accommodation are not included and must be arranged individually.