Darkroom Basics

Description

Open to Members and Non-Members Level: All Levels Ages: 18+ Questions: info@michaelmartinwhite.com New to the darkroom? Haven’t printed in years? This laid-back, hands-on session is for anyone curious about traditional black & white printing—whether you're starting fresh or dusting off old skills. There are no formal lessons, just a chance to participate in the process, ask questions, and watch images come to life. Bring your own B&W negatives if you have them, or just come ready to explore the magic of the darkroom! About your Instructor: Michael is a fine art photographer whose work is driven by experimentation and exploration. Never content with simply documenting a scene, he pushes the boundaries of the medium—blending historical, analog, and alternative techniques to uncover new ways of seeing. His journey began in the late 1980s at the J. Everett Light Career Center, where he learned black-and-white film photography and darkroom development. Over the years, he has expanded beyond traditional photography, working with historical processes like Wet Plate Collodion, experimental optics, infrared imaging, pinhole photography, long exposure, time-lapse, and vintage camera modifications. His curiosity has also led him to embrace droneography, scanography, and astrography, transforming unconventional tools into creative instruments. For Michael, photography is more than just capturing a beautiful image—it’s about discovery, experimentation, and pushing creative limits. He thrives on hands-on exploration, favoring slow, intentional processes that challenge conventional approaches. A juried artist member of the Hamilton County Artists’ Association, he shares this passion through teaching, inspiring others to embrace analog techniques and creative risk-taking. His work has been featured in regional exhibitions, and his upcoming solo show, “History in Focus,” explores historic Noblesville architecture through vintage photographic methods. Whether working with 19th-century chemistry or modern digital manipulations, Michael continues to redefine what photography can be—blurring the line between tradition and innovation. www.michaelmartinwhite.com