We're hosting a workshop to celebrate the Grotto's newest resource-- a darkroom for our community of film lovers to perfect their craft, try something new, cut down on costs, and fall in love with photography again in new ways. 

This full day experience will feature two levels of technique, beginner and advanced, and includes a two hour lecture, a class photowalk, hands on development practice, and an art show the same night to feature the work you created throughout the day. 

From the Instructor, Matt Nease.

Advanced Film Photography Workshop: Alternative Processes

Go beyond the basics and explore the world of alternative film processes. In this advanced film class and workshop we will discuss film souping recipes, trichromes, solargraphy, double exposures, redscale, sprocket shots, and how unusual cameras can be used for creative image capture.

We will take a guided photo walk, then process color film together with an end-to-end slide film (E-6) development session. Leave with developed film and the confidence to safely try alternative processes at home.

Who This Is For

Photographers who are comfortable shooting on film and have some film processing experience, but want to expand their knowledge of the medium.

Recommended Prerequisites

• Comfortable using a 35mm film camera.

• Basic knowledge of film and film handling.

• Prior B&W film development experience.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, you will be able to:

• Explain what film souping is, understand the risks, and be able to create a film souping recipe.

• Plan a trichrome image using red, green, and blue filtered exposures, and describe the scanning and alignment workflow to complete the process.

• Design a solargraphy project using simple pinhole containers, safe mounting, retrieval, and scanning plans.

• Create a shooting plan for intentional double exposures.

• Understand how to load and shoot redscale.

• Demonstrate an understanding of sprocket-frame images using format hacks, adapters, or specialty cameras.

• Identify and evaluate alternative and historical camera types for creative capture, such as toy and pinhole cameras, stereoscopic cameras, and panoramic swing-lens cameras.

• Demonstrate an understanding of film processing safety.

• Complete the full E-6 development process from pre-soak to final wash, including temperature control, agitation strategy, and drying.

What We Will Do

1) Classroom Overview of Alternative Film Processes

Overview and discussion of various alternative film processes and why someone might choose to shoot film in 2025.

2) Guided Photo Walk

Downtown photo walk to capture film images for development.

3) Color Film Development Session (E-6)

• Chemistry overview and development safety.

• Temperature management with water baths.

• Development, drying, dust control.

• Slide mounting.

Takeaways

• Developed film (shot and processed during the workshop).

• A handout with safety notes and a home kit checklist.

Materials

Provided

• Slide film (E-6) provided for each student; length may vary.

• E-6 chemistry and all lab gear for a shared development session.

• Protective gloves and safety glasses.

• PPE is required during the developing session.

*Students Bring

• A manual film camera (Loaners available in VERY limited quantity and must be coordinated before the workshop).

• Comfortable shoes for walking.

• No film required. Film is provided by the workshop.

Schedule

• 9:00-11:00 Classroom Discussion

• 11:00-12:30 Photo Walk

• 12:30-2:00 Film Processing

• 4-6pm Art Show Install

  7-9pm Show Opening

Class Size

Please note we can only accept 15 people per class. Registration will CLOSE immediately when the class is full, but you may apply for a waitlist in case of cancellation. EMAIL helen@grottoyork.com