Saturday

May 2

10 AM - 6 PM

Class Size Max: 6

This one-day workshop introduces participants to caffenol, a homemade film developer made from instant coffee and other simple household ingredients. Participants will begin by shooting a roll of black-and-white 35mm film on a class photowalk, then learn to mix, process, and develop their negatives using this DIY alternative to commercial chemistry.

Through guided demonstrations and hands-on experimentation, students will compare homemade and commercial developers, learn which films respond best to caffenol, and explore how different chemical elements influence image quality, tone, and artistic intent. Additional topics include hypo substitution and other strategies for adopting a more environmentally friendly photographic practice.

Open to both beginners and experienced film photographers alike, this workshop requires no prior knowledge of development or chemistry. Each student will shoot and develop one roll of 35mm film, and leave equipped with the knowledge to continue making developers from scratch at home.

Cameras, chemistry, and one roll of film per student will be provided. If you have your own manual 35mm camera, feel free to bring it to the class.

Combine with Printing with Caffenol for a full weekend exploring alternative developers.

Tuition includes $20 materials fee.

If your desired tuition option is unavailable, please email info@penumbrafoundation.org and we will do our best to accommodate you. If the entire class is sold out, we can add you to the waitlist.

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Images © Brittonie Fletcher

BRITTONIE FLETCHER (MFA) has a creative practice between the UK and the USA. In addition to teaching at Penumbra, Brittonie is a dedicated teacher at Stills Centre for Photography in Scotland, where she initiated their Alternative Process Program. She has taught elsewhere, including the Royal College of Art. Brittonie's work is published in books from Focal/Rutledge Press (including Christina Z Anderson's Salt book and Annette Goez's Cyanotype Toning of the same series) and Random House. Her work is exhibited and included in public collections and private international collections.