This class is designed for students who have completed the course Introduction to Black-and-White Photography and wish to refine their black-and-white printing skills and their understanding of 35mm-camera operation.
In addition to weekly assignments, slide-illustrated lectures, demonstrations, and informal group critiques, students explore various papers and developers in darkroom work. There are sessions on low-light shooting, "pushing" film, special printing techniques, and electronic flash.
Developing chemicals are provided. Students provide their own 35mm cameras, two to three rolls of 400-ASA black-and-white film, and photographic paper, and should bring paper and exposed film to the first session.
Paul Matthai is a fine-art photographer who has taught many classes for The Smithsonian Associates.
6 sessions, 3 hours each
Smithsonian Connections
The online exhibit A Glimpse of the Neighborhood compares historic black-and-white photos of Washington’s Penn Quarter with more recent color photos of the same neighborhood.
