   |
Ross --
There's never been an annual schedule; we've always run the workshops whenever we've been able to sign up enough students. The fact that we need darkroom facilities is a major complication, too, but I think we're OK for this year.
We've offered three different workshops over the years. The "beginner's" session is designed for experienced roll film shooters who are interested in learning more about large format but want to try it out before making a major investment in equipment. Fred has supplied a complete 4x5 outfit for each two students (they work in pairs), and also furnished all materials (film, chemistry). Emphasis is on learning to handle a view camera, visualization and metering, and processing sheet film. We spend most of the time shooting and processing negatives using test data we provide. There's no mention of curves or sensitometry.
The "BTZS" workshop is the serious learning experience. Students test and analyze the paper and film/dev of their choice, extract the working data from their personal test results, and verify it in the field. There's a lot of emphasis on learning to read curves, understanding process relationships, matching materials for gradation control, and metering. We cover all this in three days and spend the other day and a half shooting, processing, and looking at negatives.
The "alumni" workshop is for folks who have taken the BTZS session (or worked through the material on their own and are comfortable with it). We spend the time shooting and processing with emphasis on visualization and metering, and fine-tuning the process controls. When we have suitable facilities we also try to make a few prints but the darkroom we have lined up this years doesn't contain any 4x5 enlargers so we'll have to settle for evaluation of negatives.
We don't discuss "art" in any of these sessions; BTZS is intended to provide a genuine _understanding_ of the photographic process, plus a relatively fool-proof system of technical controls that the artistically inclined photographer can use to make production of creative and expressive images easier and more certain. In short, BTZS supplies the knowledge and the tools; it's up to you to put them to use.
Fred supplies darkroom chemistry and equipment for all sessions, and participants receive the latest versions of the BTZS software (WinPlotter and Expo/Dev) plus a PowerDial, as a workshop bonus.
I'm not sure whether the workshops will be offered next year or not. I'm not "retiring" definitely, but I suspect this may be my last year of active involvement. Fred may continue the programs on his own but I imagine it will be on a limited basis.
-- Phil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
