International Center for Photography: Alternative Process Photography

Catalog description

In this supervised practicum, students will have the chance to study with a professional photographer on the faculty of the International Center of Photography, one of the foremost professional photography schools in the United States. Alternative photographic processes made by hand-coating artist's papers with light sensitive emulsion have been in use since the 19th century and are widely used today by contemporary artists and photographers. This course offers students a chance to "step outside the box" creatively from other print processes and learn about the expressive and painterly aspects of alternative photographic methods; each print is unique. In addition, the use of digital negatives offers the best of both worlds, combining modern-day technology with handmade historic printing methods. Class lectures, demonstrations, and lab time will focus on specific topics: digital negatives, cyanotypes plus toning, van dyke brown, palladium, and layering color gum bichromate pigments. Students are welcome to explore and experiment with the processes and make them fully their own. Familiarity with Photoshop is required for this course, particularly an understanding of Adjustment Layers. This course takes place at the School of the International Center of Photography on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. In addition to attending all class sessions, students are required to complete a writing project about photographic practice under the supervision of the Pace ICP Coordinator. This class meets at Pace for four weeks and at the International Center for Photography, (1114 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street) for ten weeks.