Creating the Fine Silver Print
August 10 - 14, 2026
Rockport, Maine
Overview
By its very nature, a black-and-white photograph is an abstraction of reality, allowing the artist tremendous freedom to interpret the negative so that the finished print expresses what he or she felt about the scene rather than what was literally in front of the lens. “Creating the Fine Silver Print” is a comprehensive hands-on workshop designed for the intermediate or advanced traditional black-and-white film photographer who wants to explore this freedom, learning how to best interpret the essence of an image to create a tonally rich and expressive silver print.
Under the patient and expert guidance of Alan Ross, Ansel Adams’ last field assistant and a master in traditional film photography himself, you will immerse yourself in the magic and methodology of the darkroom, taking an image from negative to a finished silver print that represents your vision.
Over the course of your five-day workshop, you will have several opportunities to photograph along the spectacular Maine coast, with Alan alongside to help you refine your vision, composition and camera technique. When not in the field, you will be in the darkroom at a dedicated enlarger, learning to translate the literal to the expressive with your own negatives, using the approaches and techniques Alan has developed during his more than 50 years as a master printer. Optional evening sessions will allow additional time for processing film, image review, troubleshooting, or anything else that will help you move forward with your photographic journey. All film formats are welcome.
Among the Topics Covered:
- Evaluating a scene and organizing the details to zero in on the essence of your vision
- Optics and lens choice
- Calculating exposure using aspects of the Zone System
- Film testing and calculating your personal film speed and development time
- Evaluating a negative and determining where to go with it
- Relationship between film development and contrast
- Controlled, creative dodging and burning
- Introduction to Alan’s hands-free dodging and burning technique, “Selective Masking,” for complete control of image tones
- Selenium toning and processing for permanence
- Finishing and presentation
Registration
This workshop is offered through Maine Media. Fee is $2,795.
