The Queensland Centre for Photography (QCFP) and MAUD Creative offer a series of hands-on workshops exploring traditional photographic processes and the art of analogue photography. From historic nineteenth-century printing techniques to black and white film development and darkroom printing, participants can develop practical skills and discover the creative possibilities of working with photographic materials.
The workshops cater to beginners and more experienced photographers, offering opportunities to learn traditional darkroom techniques in a guided environment.
Salt Printing Workshop
Saturday 7 November 2026 | 9am–4pm
This workshop introduces participants to one of the earliest successful photographic paper processes, presented by William Henry Fox Talbot in 1839.
Participants will learn how to prepare light-sensitive paper using sodium chloride (common table salt) and silver nitrate, expose their handmade photographic paper to UV light, and wash and fix the print to create a permanent image.
Using a digital image of their choice, participants will also learn how to produce a negative on acetate before exposing it onto their prepared paper.
Salt prints have a distinctive matt appearance, resembling pastel drawings, with tones ranging from warm reds to deep blacks. All materials are supplied.
The workshop is limited to four participants.
Black & White Film Processing Workshop
Price: From $350 per person
Designed for beginners and creatives interested in analogue photography, this hands-on workshop introduces the practical process of developing black and white film in a traditional darkroom.
Participants will learn about developing equipment, including tanks, spirals and beakers, and how to load 35mm or 120-format film for processing. The workshop covers the safe handling and preparation of darkroom chemicals, including developer, stop bath and fixer, as well as timing, agitation and temperature control.
Participants will also learn how to assess negatives for exposure, contrast and clarity, and how to store their finished negatives.
Those attending are encouraged to bring an exposed 35mm (24-exposure) or 120-format black and white film roll to develop during the session.
Suitable for complete beginners, those wanting practical experience after observing darkroom work, or photographers returning to film processing.
Silver Gelatin Printing Workshop
Price: From $450 per person
Duration: 10am–1pm
Group size: Individually designed for one or a maximum of two participants.
This personalised workshop explores the creative possibilities of analogue photography and traditional darkroom printing beyond basic film processing.
The content and dates are arranged following an individual consultation, allowing the workshop to be tailored to each participant’s experience, interests and skill level.
Topics may include:
- Black and white negatives: density and grain differences
- Darkroom papers and their characteristics
- Darkroom filters
- Image selection
- Contact sheet printing
- Enlarging and printing photographs
- Dodging and burning
- Photograms and other darkroom techniques
