Special Effects in the Darkroom with Dan Root | Feb. 6th & 13th

Date  | February 6, 2027: 12:00–4:00 PM | February 13, 2027: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Register early to help ensure your class runs. Courses that do not meet minimum enrollment may be cancelled.

Time  |   12 PM – 4 PM Feb. 6th

Time  |   9 AM – 5 PM Feb. 13th

Class Size  |   Minimum 3 / Maximum 6

Location |  Colorado Photographic Arts Center

1200 Lincoln Street, Suite 111, Denver, CO 80203

Cost  | $225 Member and $250 Non-Member

Additional Materials Fee  | $25 (includes paper and costs associated with in-class use of the darkroom)

Instructor  |  Dan Root

Skill Level  | Beginner to Intermediate – must have previous darkroom printing experience 

CPAC adheres to a strict payment, cancellation, and refund policy. Please review our Payment & Refund Policies prior to registration.

Objective:

The objective of this workshop is to give students a practical introduction to creative darkroom techniques that move beyond traditional straight printing.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have a better understanding of how the enlarger and printing process can be manipulated intentionally to create visual effects, as well as experience applying one or more of these techniques to their own photographs.

Students will leave with the knowledge and resources needed to continue experimenting independently in the darkroom.

Description:

Explore new creative possibilities in the black-and-white darkroom with Special Effects in the Darkroom taught by photographer Dan Root.

Designed for photographers with a basic-to-intermediate understanding of traditional black-and-white printing, this hands-on workshop introduces techniques for creating special visual effects using a photographic enlarger.

Over two Saturdays, Dan will demonstrate creative approaches to manipulating the printing process, discuss the tools and materials needed, and guide students through making their own prints.

The first session will focus on examples, demonstrations, techniques, and preparation. During the second session, students will work from their own negatives with Dan’s guidance to experiment with the processes introduced and create a finished print.

Workshop Format

Session One | Presentation, Demonstration & Assignment
The first Saturday will include an introduction to the workshop, a presentation of print examples, and a discussion of student expectations. Dan will demonstrate several special effects techniques in the CPAC darkroom, inviting students to observe and participate at key stages to better understand the process.

The session will conclude with a discussion of darkroom best practices, including tools, exposure times, filters, note-taking, print finishing, and preparation for the following week. Students will receive handouts with presentation notes, an assignment, and a recommended materials list for the second session.

Session Two | Guided Printing in the Darkroom
The second Saturday will focus on hands-on printing. Students will bring two black-and-white 35mm negatives and work toward creating a print using one of the techniques demonstrated in the first session.

If enrollment requires it, the second session will be divided into two smaller three-hour groups so that each student has access to an enlarger. Each group will begin with a discussion of the day’s assignment and needed tools, followed by supported printing time in the darkroom. The session will end with a wrap-up and viewing of final the prints.

Materials Needed:

Students will only need to bring materials for the second day of the workshop.

Students should bring:

• Two different black-and-white 35mm negatives
• Materials for burning and dodging

CPAC will provide:

• • Ilford 8″ × 10″ fiber-based black-and-white multigrade paper
  • Black board needed for the printing techniques
  • Standard darkroom chemistry and equipment

If you have questions about camera equipment or resources, contact us at edu@cpacphoto.org in advance of the class.