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Van Dyke Brown Printing

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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)

  • Access to a fully equipped studio.

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Note:

  • The digital negative transparency will not be provided by Studio A89 and must be outsourced independently.Studio A89 can assist in the outsourcing process.

  • 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:

  • History and context of Van Dyke Brown printing

  • Overview of process: chemistry, materials, and safety protocols

  • Demonstration: preparing sensitizing solutions and coating paper

  • Hands-on: participants coat their own papers

Afternoon:

  • Drying coated papers

  • Introduction to digital negatives: sizing, contrast tips, and preparation

  • Test exposures using natural or artificial UV light

  • Creating initial photograms or contact prints for practice

 

Day 2 – Exposure, Development & Final Prints

 

Morning:

  • Review and critique of test prints; discussion on improvements

  • Exposure of final prints with participants’ digital negatives

  • Washing, fixing, and optional toning (iron or sepia toning techniques)

Afternoon:

  • Second printing session to refine techniques

  • Drying and finishing prints for archival quality

  • Group critique, feedback, and sharing of final work

  • Wrap-up discussion on contemporary applications of Van Dyke Brown printing

 

Materials Provided

  • 10 sheets of A4 paper (including test prints)

  • All necessary chemicals: ferric ammonium citrate, silver nitrate, fixer

  • UV exposure setup

  • Access to a fully equipped darkroom studio

 

Please Note

  • 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.

  • Participants are encouraged to carry:

    • A notebook, pen/pencil

    • Apron, gloves and a generic surgical mask (recommended for handling chemicals)

  • Food and accommodation are not included and must be arranged individually.

Studio A 89, Kaladham (Complex),

Vashishth Road (near radha swami satsang beas)

Knowledge Park 2, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 201308

Location 28.472319442302865, 77.49585412553753

(visit via prior appointment only)

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