Botanical Prints
Three Week Course
Thu 05 Mar 2020
Category
Price
£85* (£70)*
Time
2pm - 4.30pm
Thu 05 Mar 2020
Price
£85* (£70)*
Time
2pm - 4.30pm
This course will use some early photographic processes and techniques including; photograms, cyanotype and pinhole cameras to capture different and intriguing plant forms to create unique prints of botanical specimens.
Week 1 Cyanotype
We will explore cyanotypes a Victorian process originated in the 1840s by John Hershel which produces a characteristically blue print. Anna Atkins was inspired by him and used this process to produce images of plants, ferns, and seaweed. Cyanotypes have also been used to reproduce architectural drawings (known as Blueprints).
The process is fairly straightforward, and you will learn how to mix chemicals to produce your own light sensitive paper. Objects are then placed on the paper and exposed to light to create a blue and white photographic image.
Week 2 Photograms
From the beginnings of photography images have been made by placing objects onto light sensitive paper, for example Fox Talbot and his photogenic drawings and Man Rays Rayographs.
We now refer to images made in this way as photograms. In this session we will be using photographic paper in a darkroom and exposing it to light, learning how to develop and fix the images we create. The results are incredibly effective, visually stunning black and white photographs without using a camera.
Week 3 Anthotypes
An anthotype is an image created using photosensitive material from plants. In this session we will be using plant material to create a photosensitive emulsion to make light sensitive paper on which we can print.
All materials are provided but you may want to bring along your own botanical specimens to print.
Nicky Thompson
Nicky Thompson is a photographer who uses both traditional and experimental photographic techniques to document the natural environment and the communities around her home on Dartmoor. After lecturing in photography at Exeter School of Art for many years Nicky has decided to pursue her own photographic practice full time and is in the process of setting up her own studio.
Workshop attendees get 10% off all food and hot drinks at the Café Bar.