FA26 Friday Large Format Black and White Studio Photography | 6 Week Section

Day/Time: 6 Fridays starting October 23, 4:30–7:00 pm
*No class November 6 and November 27

Location: W20 Art Studios, W20-425

Instructor: Jacob Geiger

From under the dark cloth of a large format camera, discover one of photography’s most rewarding and technically powerful forms. With film that’s roughly 12 times larger than standard 35mm, you’ll capture unprecedented detail and tonal range while precise lens movements give you control over focus and perspective that other cameras can’t match.

In this studio-based course, photographs will be made in the W20 arts studios. You’ll use professional lighting, backdrops, and composition to explore large format through portraiture and still life. You’ll experiment with lighting setups, focal plane control, and arrangement, then develop and print your own negatives in the darkroom. Near the end of the semester, you’ll have the opportunity to create a high quality enlargement on 16×20″ fiber-based paper.

No prior photography experience required. We’ll cover exposure and darkroom fundamentals. All cameras, chemistry, and materials for enlargement are provided.

Students will need to purchase the following materials:

• 50 sheets Ilford RC Multigrade Deluxe Paper, 8×10″, Pearl, Satin, or Semi-matte finish
• 25 sheets Ilford FP4+ film, 4″x5″ (needed on the first day of class)

Places to buy materials:

• Locally: Hunt’s https://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/. There is one located in Cambridge and one near Kenmore Square.
• B&H and Adorama have large online stores (and brick-and-mortar locations in NYC) that are often cheaper than Hunt’s. B&H offers an educational discount if you create an account with your MIT email. http://www.bhphotovideo.com / http://adorama.com/

Tuition and Fees:
MIT Undergraduate + Graduate Students $115 | MIT Faculty, Staff, Spouses, Alumni $205 | Materials Fee: $35