CUPROTYPE
March 6 – 9, 2025
Instructor: Anne Eder

Cuprotype is a relatively under-explored, copper-based, analog photographic process that is as easy to use as cyanotype! First developed in the nineteenth century, it has few active contemporary practitioners. If you look at the materials, you will notice that it uses the same light trigger (ferric ammonium citrate) and is applied to watercolor paper or other substrate exactly as in cyanotype. The tone is a rich copper brown but can also be toned for a more neutral brown or black image. Resulting images are very permanent with a somewhat longer tonal range than achieved with the cyanotype process. And hey---blue isn’t for everyone!

The cuprotype agenda will consist of demonstration and practice. On the first day of instruction, you will learn the basic process, and over the course of the weekend both simple and complex toning methods will be taught. No darkroom necessary, and we will use a UV box or sunlight for exposure. Digital negatives will be provided if you send files prior to the workshop (see the fee schedule), otherwise, objects may be used to make photograms as you may do with cyanotype. Materials provided, and you may bring your own digital negatives if you have them.

Students are invited to arrive on campus after 5pm on the 6th, where they will be welcomed by a reception and meet-and-greet. On the morning of the 7th, Lux et Libera founder Dale Rio will lead a work share/critique where students are invited to share existing work to receive feedback and also provide feedback for their fellow workshop attendees. Instruction by Anne will begin on the afternoon of the 7th.

Accommodations will be double rooms in a dorm on campus within walking distance of the darkroom. If you’d like to room with a friend, please shoot us an email (info@luxetlibera.org) to put in your roommate request. Meals will be self-catered, and basics will be provided (including snacks), but if you have any dietary restrictions, please bring any specifics you’ll need. And all attendees are welcome to bring their own food if they prefer to cook for themselves. (Note that Dale will be prepping the meals, and she’s vegan, so if you just gotta have your meat or cheese, please bring them with you!)
We will part company at 5pm on the 9th as we check out of the dorm.