This course covers basic theory involved with Black and White photography, how to expose and process B&W film, and create a contact sheet and handprint in the darkroom.

The required chemical emulsions are specially mixed and prepared at Silvertone and then very carefully hand brushed onto high quality 100% cotton papers using special imported wooden Hake brushes or glass rods.

History of the process: This process started in the early 18th century and played an important role in the development of the positive and negative as we know them today. The Salted Paper process was the culmination of several centuries’ worth of research by remarkable men and women studying the relationship between light and chemistry.

The intrinsic beauty and creative potential of this process is endless. Silvertone uses a variety of papers and chemicals to produce these provocative prints. To achieve a lith print, a suitable black and white photographic paper is overexposed and partially developed in highly diluted developer, by utilising this particular mode of action known as infectious development, a print with black shadows, coloured mid tones and highlights is typically the result.

Fibre-based B&W hand prints are arguably the finest reproductions available. Prints are hand processed, fixed in two baths, and then washed and toned to archival standards. Printing includes cropping, dodging and burning. A variety of fine fibre-based and resin coated papers in glossy, semi-matt, matt and pearl finishes are available. We are also able to chemically tone, creating various colours and tones with interesting results.