Modern Daguerreian Methods: A Daguerreotype Workshop with Rob McElroy. May 19-21, 2012 Buffalo, NY

Come to the US and learn the history of the daguerreotype (the world’s first viable photographic process) and the techniques required to make one yourself. This hands-on workshop will be taught by modern daguerreotypist, Rob McElroy, who will demonstrate all of the steps necessary to create a modern mercury-developed daguerreotype. Each participant will perform all the steps themselves (plate preparation, sensitizing, exposing, developing, gilding, archival sealing and framing), beginning with a bare piece of silver-plated copper, and finishing with their very own framed daguerreotype.

The three-day workshop (actually, four days packed into three) will take place in Rob's Buffalo, NY studio/gallery, May 19-21, 2012, where participants will learn Rob’s trouble-free modern method of producing a perfectly polished (the key to a great image) daguerreotype plate without the need for tedious hand buffing. Plenty of time will be afforded for creating more than one image, troubleshooting, viewing vintage daguerreotypes, and discussing each participant’s results.

Rob’s large state-of-the-art darkroom/laboratory, along with his studio — equipped with electronic-flash units powerful enough to expose daguerreotype plates, will make for a convenient and exciting learning environment.

Each participant will receive a 22-page booklet containing a detailed step-by-step guide to Rob’s unique method of making a modern daguerreotype (including a list of the necessary equipment) so that everyone can go home with an accurate blueprint of what’s needed to start making their own daguerreotypes.

A printer-friendly PDF file of the workshop brochure can be found here:
http://www.pce.net/idag/Dag_workshop_2012.pdf

Some photos from previous workshops can be found here:
Previous workshop photos

For more information, or if you want to be notified about future daguerreotype workshops, contact: Rob McElroy at (716) 877-3000 (email: idag@pce.net )