The Kallitype

1-Day Class
Saturday, October 19, 2024: 10am–6pm

The Kallitype is an iron-silver process patented in 1889. Taken from the Greek word “kalli,” which translates as “beautiful,” this process can produce prints that vary from sepia, to brown, to a warm black. The long tonal range and color of Kallitype prints are similar to that of a platinum/palladium print but are less costly to produce.

Though there are no prerequisites, this is an intense one-day workshop in which participants will learn about materials handling, paper coating with the Kallitype solution, exposing the paper in contact with a negative, and processing of the Kallitype print.

Participants are asked to send digital files to Photosynthesis prior to the workshop so
they can be printed as digital negatives. Alternatively, participants can bring large format
negatives to print from on the day of the workshop.

Much of this workshop is spent standing; please wear comfortable shoes.

Non-member: $400.00
PhotoSynthesis Classic Member: $460.00
Burnside Darkroom Collective Member: $440.00
Course Enrollment: 4–6
Instructor: Jessica Somers (jessicasomers.com)

Jessica Somers is a photographer specializing in historic photographic techniques and self-portraiture.

Jessica has been in love with photography for most of her life. She was exposed to the act of picture making through her grandfather, an avid amateur photographer, and in the family bathroom-turned-darkroom after sunset. Here, she witnessed actual magic standing over the chemical trays watching an image appear where only a simple white sheet of paper was before. As a kid she received a Kodak disc camera and fell in love with the act of expressing her individual view of the world from the 4 foot high perspective of a seven year old. Her height has since increased but her love affair with photography continues.

Jessica’s work has been exhibited nationally and has been published in various periodicals. Her research on alternative processes and select photographs are published in the 3rd edition of The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes by Christopher James. Jessica is a 2022 Denis Roussel Award, Work of Merit recipient. She currently teaches photography at colleges and universities throughout Connecticut.

Please review our Workshops Policy.