This 4-day workshop is designed for photographers who want to deepen their knowledge of the collodion process by working with wet collodion negatives, dry plates, and salt printing.
You will learn the full negative workflow — from plate preparation to redevelopment and varnishing — and experience shooting both in the studio and outdoors in the medieval town of Castelbuono.
The course concludes with contact printing on salt paper, completing the historical process from plate to final print.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Differences between wet collodion negative and dry plate workflows
Plate cleaning, subbing, collodion coating and silver sensitisation
Developer preparation and redevelopment for increased density
Studio exposure using controlled lighting
Preparing, drying and storing dry plates for deferred exposure
Field work with dry plates in Castelbuono
Salt printing: coating, sensitising, exposing, toning and finishing
Troubleshooting and refining plate quality
OUTCOME
By the end of the workshop, you will have completed the entire photographic chain:
preparing wet and dry plates, exposing and redeveloping negatives, and producing finished salt prints.
You will leave with handmade negatives and prints — unique pieces created entirely by your hands — and the technical confidence to continue the process independently.
PROGRAM — DAY BY DAY
DAY ONE — Wet Collodion Negative Basics
Introduction to negative workflow
Understanding positive vs negative characteristics
Plate cleaning, subbing and coating
First wet collodion negatives in the studio
Varnishing glass negatives
DAY TWO — Refining Negatives + Preparing Dry Plates
Wet collodion shooting sessions in the studio
Managing exposure in controlled light
Redevelopment for increased density
Preparing, drying and storing dry plates
DAY THREE — Field Work in Castelbuono
Shooting dry plates outdoors in the medieval town
Working without a portable darkroom
Developing dry plates in the lab after field work
Troubleshooting and plate selection
DAY FOUR — Salt Printing
Preparing and sizing paper
Coating and sensitising salt paper
Contact printing from collodion negatives
Toning, fixing and finishing
LOCATION
The workshop takes place in my studio and darkroom in Castelbuono, in the Madonie mountains, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Palermo.
Outdoor sessions are conducted within the medieval streets and architecture of Castelbuono.
HOW TO GET HERE
Nearest Airport: Palermo (PMO)
By car: Palermo Airport → A20 motorway → Castelbuono exit → SP9
By bus: Connections available from Palermo and Cefalù
Train + Bus: Train to Cefalù → Bus to Castelbuono
Private pick-up may be arranged depending on availability
ACCOMMODATION
Two accommodation options are available (contact me for rates):
Option 1 — Private rooms on site
Independent rooms
Private bathroom
Air conditioning
Quiet countryside location (where I live)
Option 2 — Agriturismo Bergi (partner accommodation)
Countryside farmhouse near Castelbuono
Discounted workshop rate available
LIMITED SEATS
Maximum 4 participants.
PRICE & BOOKING
€ 800 — all materials included
If you also attend the “Basic Collodion Technique: Ambrotype & Tintype” workshop, the total fee for both courses is € 900
Reservation: €250 deposit required
Balance: due at the beginning of the workshop
CANCELLATION POLICY
Deposits are 50% refundable up to 5 weeks before the workshop
After that period deposits are non-refundable
Deposits may be transferred to another workshop only if your spot is filled by another participant
Do you have questions about the program or logistics?
Contact me