Overview
Take your darkroom work beyond the basics and give your images the time and attention they deserve. Dedicated lab time gives you the space to experiment, solve problems, and pursue your creative direction as you work toward more polished black-and-white prints.
In this course, you'll make informed film choices and build on your existing film processing and darkroom printing skills using contrast control, dodging, burning, and retouching techniques. You'll evaluate your images for tonal range and composition and prepare finished prints for portfolio, gallery, or exhibition presentation. Through focused darkroom practice, access to professional-grade equipment, and guidance from an experienced photographer, you'll have opportunities to test techniques, assess your results, and make adjustments as your work progresses.
By the end of the course, you'll have strengthened your traditional darkroom practice and produced a more refined body of photographic work that reflects your technical skill and creative direction.
This course is ideal if you:
- have negatives or black-and-white projects you want to revisit and advance
- need access to professional-grade darkroom equipment for independent print-making
- are interested in experimenting with new approaches while refining your artistic direction
- are building a cohesive collection of prints for creative, portfolio, gallery, or exhibition purposes.
We strongly recommend completing PHOT 009 Black and White Darkroom Techniques or having equivalent experience with black-and-white film processing and darkroom printing before taking this course.
Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- process black and white film using traditional chemical techniques
- operate an enlarger to create high-quality photographic prints
- understand and apply contrast control, dodging, and burning techniques
- evaluate and refine prints for tonal range and composition
- maintain a safe and effective workflow in a professional darkroom setting.
To request a course outline, contact ConEdAdvising@sait.ca.
Upcoming dates
Select an available section and add it to your cart. When you're ready, proceed to check out to sign into your student account and complete your registration.
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Register early!
- We recommend registering at least three weeks before the course section start date to support course planning and help ensure a smooth start to your course.
- Course sections require minimum enrollment and may be rescheduled or cancelled two weeks before the start date.
- Registration closes seven days before the start date for on-campus, online scheduled and blended courses, and three days before the start date for online self-paced courses.
After you've completed this course
Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to self-print a proof of completion document from your Continuing Education student account.
Costs
Technology
To be successful in this course, you’ll need a 35 mm film camera compatible with the required black-and-white film.
Additional supplies
You'll also need:
- Two to three rolls of 35 mm Ilford HP5 black-and-white film, 36 exposures per roll
- Ilford Multigrade RC enlarging paper:
- glossy surface recommended; pearl surface also acceptable
- start with one envelope of 25 sheets; consider 100, if you plan extensive printing
- One package of Print File 35-7B negative sleeves, or equivalent
- One pair of cotton gloves
Darkroom equipment and film-processing and printing chemicals are provided for use during the course.
We recommend visiting a local camera retailer to discuss equipment and supplies that meet the course requirements. In Calgary, consider contacting The Camera Store to ask about student pricing or available promotions.
Note: Bring your camera and supplies to class.
Financial support
Financial opportunities are available to help pay for your course fees. Learn more about how to reduce your education or training costs with available awards, bursaries, loans and grants, including the Canada Alberta Productivity Grant.
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Train your team
Interested in group training opportunities for this course? Tell us about your organization's needs, and one of our training consultants will contact you within one business day.
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Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.