Photography & Film

Understanding the Wonderful World of Cyanotypes

From: £60.00

Sunday 9th november

10AM to 4:30PM

A relaxing and interesting learning experience immersed in the beauty of Shambellie House. Develop an understanding of cyanotype printmaking and gain the skills and confidence to explore and experiment independently at home, as well as the having the joy of taking your own unique hand printed cyanotypes home!

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Description

Join photographer Alan Bennington for a full day workshop on the historic process of cyanotype printmaking.
Invented by Sir John Herschel in the 1840’s, you can follow in the footsteps of early Victorian photographic pioneers.

Over the course of the workshop, you will experiment with the traditional methods of this process. Alan will show you the techniques to prepare and coat papers building your skills.

The morning session of the workshop will be used to prepare and produce printed acetate negatives from digital images so please bring along two of your own favourite digital images on a usb/pen drive however don’t worry if you don’t have any, we will also have a range of images that can be used.

After a break for a lovely lunch and a chance to wander in the grounds (included in the workshop price), the afternoon session  will take you through the process of making cyanotypes from the acetate negatives and allow you plenty of time to experiment with combinations adding natural flora and looking at methods of toning the cyanotype prints. Materials will be available but you are welcome to bring any items you would like to make prints with (flora and feathers always look great).

Alan will show you how to expose the coated papers under UV light and gain a basic understanding of exposure times as well as how to rinse and dry the print.

This will be full day in the relaxing setting of Shambellie house, with an enjoyable learning experience to leave you with an understanding of cyanotype printmaking and the skills and confidence to explore, and experiment independently at home, as well as the joy of taking your own unique hand printed cyanotypes home!

 

 

 

 

 

Your Tutor

Your Tutor

Alan Bennington

A photographer since 1977, Alan studied photography at Teesside College of Art in Middlesbrough and after qualifying he worked for a number of commercial photographers in the North East of England, Manchester and Hereford before setting up his own operation. This Newcastle based studio grew into one of the most in demand commercial photographers in the UK with a wealth significant roster of major manufacturing companies as long term clients. Add to this the advertising and fashion markets that Alan was working with and we can recognise an all round commercial photographer operating at the top of their game. 

In the mid ‘noughties’ Alan decided on a change of direction, lifestyle and location and applied for a lecturing post at Dumfries & Galloway College. His significant background and experience became a great asset to the college and he took the lead on the HND programme at the college developing new approaches to a strong programme that benefitted many up and coming photographers in the region and beyond.

Retiring from the college in 2018, Alan continues to work on his own self-directed projects.

Alan is a member of the AMO3BA Illustration & Photography Collective.

About the Day

Exploring Wonderful Worlds of Cyanotypes is a full day, starting at 10 am and finishing around 4.30pm.

Refreshments will be provided and there will be a break for lunch which is included in the price.

 

Kit and Requirements

Please wear suitable footwear for exploring the grounds of Shambellie – it may be a little damp underfoot.  All materials and equipment will be provided.  There is an £5 cost for materials which will be charged at time of booking.

If you have answered yes and would like to discuss your requirements then please get in touch.