Primero! Muchas gracias por todo ATELIERETAGUARDIA! The best people and the best space I've ever experienced.
I'm in Barcelona. I arrived on Thursday and started the first, of two, workshops on Friday. It's Monday morning now and I'm happy to report that the workshop was very successful (not due to me, but rather to the ATELIERETAGUARDIA Studio and the students!).
There was a great group of creative and talented people in attendance; Rebecca, Israel, Arcanglea, Ricard, Marti, Miguel, Seber, Elisa, Esther, Daniel, Diego, Xavier, Bene, Pau, Marc (shot the video) and Esteban. Jean and Summer were there helping me and keeping the workshop and supplies flowing.
I packed all of my chemicals, supplies and dark box. We had the studio's darkroom (which is very large) and the dark box to process plates. The idea was for everyone attending to make a BGA, clear Ambrotype, Tintype/Alumitype and a negative. Although there were only a couple of successful negatives (for POP), everyone had a shot at it. Everyone had a chance to work in the studio's darkroom as well as the dark box. It was a well-rounded hands-on experience. I also tried to share some of library of literature on wet plate - Marti (from the studio) brought out some original books and some re-prints I've never heard of nor seen - it was great. I'll post the resources here on the forum.
It was a three day workshop (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). That amount of time is perfect for me (and how I teach this process). The first day includes; introductions and aspirations (of the attendees), I introduce myself and talk a little about the process and my history and relationship to it. I share some work (positives, negatives, POP, etc.) and allow everyone to see and handle an example of each subset of the process. They can ask questions, dispel myths and, most importantly, see what resonates with them (esthetically) with each (subset) process.
After the "comprehensive introduction", I move into the equipment and supplies, I describe each piece of equipment and what it's for and why I chose to use that particular design. This includes beakers, bottles, scales, everything. The students get a chance to see what I use and decide (after they see the whole process) if it makes sense for them (sometimes, they have much better ideas). I show a variety of lenses and talk about the importance of each variation - focal length, F/stop, style, etc. And, of course, there's a lot of time spent on Q&A.
Next, I move into the chemistry. I describe each chemical and its purpose in the process. After that, I make every chemical used in the process. I talk about substitutes and various formulae for each chemical. I show how I mix, maintain and store each chemical.
Then it's time for a demo - I make a BGA (I usually like to do a portrait if I can). The students see each step of the process, from cutting glass to varnishing. Sometimes, I'll do an Alumitype/Tintype and a negative. This workshop I did one of each. I also make at least one POP print.
I break the students up into teams and one team uses the ATELIERETAGUARDIA darkroom and one uses my dark box. And the work begins.
I'll be teaching another one this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I hope to see you there!
Daniel y Diego...
El groupo!..
Pau's whole plate portrait of me... notice the "W" and "C" ...
Me and Pau... great job!
Marc (videographer)... 5x7 BGA...
5x7 BGA by Daniel of Israel...
Diego, 5x7 BGA...
Xavier, 5x7 BGA, one of my favs....
Portrait of Daniel.. 5x7 BGA...
Portrait of Pau (aka Bob Dylan) by Miguel... 5x7 BGA
Portrait of Gerardo, 5x7 BGA...
Portrait of Xavier y Arcangela... muy guapo! 5x7 BGA..
Portrait of Bene (from Italy)... 5x7 "Benjitype" this is made on a mirror. It was difficult to photograph/scan, but very beautiful in hand.
Summer y Diego with a portrait of Diego Summer made.. 5x7 Tintype.
We had lunch everyday at "Obsession" near the studio. It was incredibly good food and wine. Lunch was 1400 - 1600 cada dia!
A scene in front or the studio - Calle St. Marti...
Miguel checks his time for a negative exposure...
Xavier cleans a plate to make a negative...
Elisa (front) composes a portrait of Esther (back)...
Whole plate negative POP print... gold toned...first print... sitting in the wash tray..
Whole plate negative POP print gold toned.. second print... sitting in the wash tray..
More to come.....