Baltic Analog Lab invites you to a two day large-format photography workshop with Armands Andže, dedicated to learning two historical photographic processes – salt printing and calotype.

Calotype is one of the most significant early photographic processes, developed by William Henry Fox Talbot in the 1840s. Unlike the daguerreotype, in which each image was unique, calotype introduced the negative–positive principle: a paper negative was produced in the camera, from which multiple positive images could be made by contact printing. This principle became a foundation for the subsequent technological development of photography.

Salt printing, in turn, is one of the earliest practically usable photographic printing processes, with its origins in Talbot’s experiments of 1834–1835. The use of light-sensitive silver halides to produce images on paper laid the groundwork for the development of many later photographic materials and processes.

During the workshop, participants will be introduced to the basic principles of calotype and its historical variations, prepare their own light-sensitive paper negatives, photograph with a large-format camera, and develop the resulting latent image. A positive print will then be produced from the finished negative using the salt print process.

While preserving the essential negative–positive principle of calotype, the workshop will also use a modernised variation of the process, replacing some historical chemicals with materials that are more readily available today.

Program:

- Practical work with a large-format photo camera, taking pictures

- Developing images in the laboratory

- Printing of obtained negatives on salt and calotype positive paper

Armands Andže is a member of Baltic Analog Lab. He has been working with analog photography for over 15 years and has independently mastered several historical analog photography techniques through self-directed study. He studied photography at the Culture College, obtained a Master’s degree from the Graphics Department of the Latvian Academy of Art, and is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the academy, researching both historical and contemporary processes of daguerreotype and photogravure.

Practical information:

• Number of participants is limited to 10

• To apply, please send an email to: balticanaloglab@gmail.com

• Participation fee: 70 EUR

Supported by Latvian State Culture Capital Foundation and Riga City Council