PHOT81-A/B/C
B&W Film/Darkroom
Instructor information
Instructor: Naomi Vanderkindren
Contact: Canvas message are preferred. Use your Canvas inbox to send me a message. (alternative contact: nvanderkindren@ccsf.edu). During the semester, I usually respond within 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. If you have questions between semesters, response time may be longer. Please see the department website for program details: ccsf.edu/photo.
Office Hours: Hours change each semester. Use CityZoom on Canvas or send a message to schedule a meeting.
Course information (A/B/C)
This darkroom photography series includes three sections. Each one allows students to advance thier understanding of darkroom photography. The entire series is AS degree applicable in Photography and AA-T in Studio Arts. Satisfies CCSF GE Area E.
Start with 81A. It is an introductory darkroom course utilizing analog photographic materials. Explores the potential and plasticity of silver halide-based photography. Refines students’ camera handling skills and aesthetic values. PHOT 81A allows beginning portfolio development for transfer and will be part of a family of courses, PHOT 81A/B/C.
Continue your journey with 81B. 81B is an intermediate darkroom course utilizing analog photographic materials. Explores the potential and plasticity of silver halide-based photography. Refines students’ camera handling skills and aesthetic values. PHOT 81B is required for the Black & White Photography Certificate. New family: PHOT 81A/B/C. New request for UC TCA.
Master your skills and portfolio with 81C. 81C is an advanced darkroom course utilizing analog photographic materials. Explores the potential and plasticity of silver halide-based photography. Refines students’ camera handling skills and aesthetic values. PHOT 81C allows portfolio development for transfer and will be part of a family of courses, PHOT 81A/B/C. New request for UC TCA.
Waitlist and add codes
Before the semester begins, students may add to a waitlist on Web4. If a spot becomes available, students are notified automatically. Students will then have 48 hours to register before the spot is given to the next student on the list. To learn more about waitlists at CCSF, read the Wait list FAQ for Students
CCSF no longer uses add codes. Add codes have been replaced with Class Add Request. Students can submit a Class Add Request through their myRAM Portal after the course begins. Permission to add late will be granted only if the instructor deems it is still possible for the student to catch up and succeed. Here are the instructions.
Waitlist issues Spring 2024
I am aware that there are some problems with the waitlist. If the course is full, please send me an email message and I will add you to my personal list. I will use that list to determine priority for registration on the first day of class. Students on the list and attending the first day will have priority if there is space. I cannot overenroll this course due to facility limitations.
My personal waitlist will not add you to the official online waitlist. You will not receive a message if a registration space opens online. If an opening appears on MyRam, another student could register before you. So, I recommend that you continue to check MyRam for openings as that is the only way to guarantee a spot in the class.
Explore the darkroom!
In the 81A course, you will learn how to make prints in a traditional darkroom using film you exposed and processed yourself. The orange "safe-lights" shown here are required to protect light sensitive papers.
81B and 81C students will refine skills and reach higher level mastery. Advanced students transfering from another college may take 81A to review and improve skills.
Supplies provided for you
The department will provide supplies essential for completing the course. Supplies will be enough to finish all assignments. There is usually enough to do some personal work too, but supplies are limited.
If you want to create personal work (or make many mistakes), you may need to purchase your own materials. For suggestions, look at the list at the end of this page.
Supplies you need to bring
You need to bring these supplies from home.
A well fitting, quality face mask for working closely with others
School supplies (paper, pencils, notebooks)
A small towel (to dry wet equipment)
Gloves for film processing (if supply runs out)
A sharp pencil (for matting)
A white plastic eraser (for matting)
Personal scissors are handy, but not required.
Two pieces of opaque cardboard or black paper, about 8x10 inches (about the size of a piece of printer paper).
Film and paper beyond what the department can supply (see the suggestions at the end of this page)
A large envelope or paper to protect assignments when you submit.
A locker deposit. Lockers are available when you leave a $10 deposit. You receive your deposit back when you clean it out at the end of the semester. Lockers are issued after the department orientation.
Cameras
The PentaxK1000 camera shown here is similar to the type used in this course. CCSF Photography department has cameras to borrow.
Advanced students have access to more advanced cameras. The department has medium format in both SLR and twin lens design. Large format view cameras are available for students with prior experience.
Film
CCSF will provide students with basic film supplies to finish course work. Students may purchase additional supplies for creative work and practice. See the suggestions at the end of this page.
Lab equipment
CCSF provide all necessary lab equipment, such as film processing tanks. Students can also purchase and use thier own. The image shown here shows tools a student might bring. CCSF has metal film tanks.
Chemicals
CCSF Photography Department provides all necessary chemicals to complete course work. This includes chemicals to process film and to make prints in the darkroom.
Examples of common supplies
You don't need to purchase these supplies to finish assignments in this course. The list below is for reference. If you want more supplies, this list will help you choose. I also created a B&H shopping list to make it easy to identify items.
When purchasing materials, always shop around for the best prices, and ask for a student discount.
Film
There are many many types to choose from, and many different prices. It's best to keep things simple with one type when you are getting started. 400ISO is recommended to start with. Later on, you'll want to try other types.
These protect your film after it's processed. There are many different types to choose from. This one is nice because it has a pocket for a contact sheet, but it's slightly more expensive.
This binder has a wall all around the sides to help keep dust and contaminants off your film. Not waterproof, but really good for avoiding dust on film. A cheaper option is to take a standard binder and put it into a clean plastic bag so it doesn't get dusty in your locker.
Photo paper
There are many kinds of photo paper to try. Keep things simple by choosing one or two to begin with. We will cover these options in class, and why you might like one or another.
There are many good brands, and you may not see a big difference between them (as a beginner). Ilford is a reliable and popular brand. It is available at most locations. For beginners, you will want to choose RC paper
. The package will say resin coated (RC), and variable contrast (VC) or multigrade (MG). For advanced students, you will probably want to buy Fiber paper for a more professional and archival look.
When shopping in person, look at the label at the lower end of the box. It will show RC (resin coated), or FB (fiber) and VC (variable contrast) or MG (multi-grade). VC and MG are the same thing.
Paper surface
Photo paper comes in many different surface finishes. For example, some are glossy and some are matte (not shiny). These are my recommendations for starting out. If you continue making darkroom prints, you will want to try them all.
For Fiber, "glossy" surface is most common and easiest to work with.
Buying a larger box of paper box WILL save you money in the long run, but only if you use it. Don't buy more than you will use within a year. Photo paper can loose contrast and fog over time (get unintentional exposure through age or heat damage).
I like to mark each box with the date of purchase and the price. This helps me track costs over time.
Tongs are needed for moving prints from one chemical bath to the next. They come in metal and bamboo varieties.
Presentation supplies
This is for presentation. Choose the best products you can afford, but consider how long you want it to last. Lower cost boards are available, but may not have the same appearance or archival standards. Do not purchase mats with pre-cut windows. They usually do not fit the same shape image.
You will usually need 2 boards for each print (1 board per print if you choose dry-mounting). The board should be white, antique white, or bright white. It's best to avoid colored, black or gray except for home use. Archival, acid free and 100% cotton are best, especially if you are going to permanently mount your prints. Choose 4-ply for window mats.
Creates the hinge on your overmats. The self-adhesive is convenient, but I like the wet-and-stick type. It is a little more stable and stronger.
These can be peel-and-stick or wet-and-stick. They come in paper or plastic types, and many sizes. For 8x10 prints, the smallest type is fine.
If you choose to dry mount, you'll need something like this. It's permanent, so buy the best quality you can afford.
This is an optional material, but recommended. It is a convenient way to remove dust from negatives, and to clean equipment. You can also use canned air, or an anti-static brush.