Lith Printing - Fall 2026

Discover the expressive power of Lith printing—an alternative darkroom process known for its striking, unpredictable aesthetic. Unlike traditional silver gelatin printing, which relies on standard developers for consistent tones, Lith printing pairs specific black-and-white papers with heavily diluted lithographic chemistry. This volatile reaction creates infectious development, resulting in the process’s signature graphic contrast, warm painterly hues, and gritty textures.

Through hands-on darkroom experimentation, students will learn to master and manipulate these unique chemical properties.

Dedicated group discussions and critiques will challenge you to connect process with project development, exploring how these raw, evocative textures can directly inform your concepts and alter a viewer’s emotional interpretation of an image.

Students will leave this class with a foundational mastery of Lith printing, a portfolio of creative experiments, and a deeper understanding of how to intentionally marry this alternative chemistry with conceptual photographic storytelling.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR STUDENTS

• Weekly attendance is vital to student success in PCNW courses. We require that students attend the first meeting in order to retain their spot in the class. A waiver may be granted if permission is given by, and subsequent arrangements made with, both the PCNW Registrar and Faculty. Please see our Education Policies for details about attendance policies and academic expectations.
• PCNW adheres to a strict payment, cancellation and refund policy. Please review our Payment & Refund Policies prior to registration.
• Additional materials and supplies, not covered by a materials fee for a course, are the responsibility of the student. Detailed information about course expectations, required texts and materials will be provided at the start of the quarter.
• Students should prepare to spend several hours per week completing assignments outside of class, which may require use of the PCNW facilities; view our Rental Rates for details about additional fees. Rental fees for use of PCNW Facilities are a separate cost from tuition.

Images © Leah Freed