Black & White Printing Basics (January Session) - Winter 2026

This is a one-day workshop designed for beginners in the black and white darkroom, but it can also serve as a refresher for anyone who is rekindling a relationship with the darkroom. Bring negatives that you've processed (or had processed through a lab) and come explore the fun part: making prints! We’ll cover everything from the basic printing steps, to more advanced printing techniques like dodging, burning, and using filters. Most importantly you’ll have a chance to print in the black and white darkroom alongside a seasoned pro who can lend personalized advice – every print is different, and requires special attention! You can become a better darkroom printer in hours with the assistance and feedback of one of our instructors.

Topics covered include:

• Printing and evaluating a contact sheet
• Creating the best possible print from a negative, with correct exposure, contrast, and tone
• Using different filter techniques, like split filter printing
• Localized exposure control through dodging and burning
• Print evaluation techniques
• Darkroom workflow
• Printing in a community darkroom, and much more!

Take this workshop in tandem with our Black & White Film Photography Basics workshop for a perfect two–day introduction or refresher to the beauty of black and white photography.

NOTES

• Students must bring black and white negatives that are processed and ready for printing, and a box or folder to take home completed prints
• PCNW will provide 8x10 size RC black and white paper for darkroom printing during the workshop
• Workshop includes hands-on demonstration of darkroom printing, which will require long periods of standing. If you require accommodations, please e-mail registrar@pcnw.org.

Image credit: Lilly Everett