Photographic materials cover a diverse range, everything from the daguerreotypes and wet plate negatives of the 19th century to the gelatin silver, chromogenic and inkjet prints of the 20th and now 21st century. Care of Photographs offers a broad introduction to the history, technology, identification, and care of these and other photographic materials. Topics include environmental monitoring, the effects of temperature and relative humidity, and the importance of cold storage for certain photographic materials. It is intended to help those caring for photographic materials to gain a better understanding of their collections and how to care for them.

Required Supplies:
Each student will need to purchase a sample set of photographs at a discounted rate of $75. You can order them from the instructor's web site http://gawainweaver.com/store/#sample, select the "Cost with Workshop" set. The sample set 18 photographic and photomechanical processes. Processes included: albumen, collodion POP, gelatin POP, matte collodion, gelatin silver print FB, gelatin silver print RC, letterpress halftone, offset lithography, rotogravure monochrome, rotogravure color, collotype, chromogenic color RC, chromogenic color FB, inkjet dye-based, inkjet pigment-based, dye sublimation, electrophotographic, photogravure.

Course Outline:

1) History and Technology of Photography: Intro and 19th century negatives

2) History and Technology of Photography: Silver-based black and white processes

3) Identification of Photographs, Part 1

4) History and Technology of Photography: Non-silver processes

5) History and Technology of Photography: Photomechanical processes

6) History and Technology of Photography: Color and inkjet

7) Identification of Photographs, Part 2

8) Deterioration

9) Care of Photographs

10) The Preservation Environment