CUPROTYPE
NOV. 13 –16, 2025
Instructor: Anne Eder

COPPER & BLUES: Cyanotype Meets Cuprotype. a four-day retreat in our temporary space in southern Vermont at Potash Hill (the former Marlboro College campus). These processes share a common light trigger (ferric ammonium citrate), and cuprotype exhibits the same easy, user-friendly qualities that make cyanotype so beloved and appealing. The two methods can be combined, layered, and toned, yielding an expanded range of colors. In addition, iron-based processes are gentler on the environment, and these will add to your sustainable photographic toolkit. The basic cyanotype and cuprotype processes will be covered, as well as toning methods for each, including botanical toning of cyanotype, and combination printing. The workshop will be led by Anne Eder, whose focus is on experimental photography and developing eco-friendly alternatives to toxic chemicals.

Cyanotype barely needs an introduction. Developed by Sir John Herschel in the 19th century, it is one of the most stable photographic processes and is easily recognized by its renowned Prussian Blue color. Cuprotype is a relatively underexplored, copper-based, 19th century photographic process with few active contemporary practitioners. The process results in 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 that achieved with the cyanotype process.

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 with both processes. Materials will be provided, and you may bring your own digital negatives if you have them, as well as objects to use for photograms.

Students may arrive any time after 5pm on the evening of Wednesday, November 12th, and instruction will begin Thursday morning. 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 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 (or particular foods that you love), please bring any specifics you’ll need. 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 by 5pm on Sunday, the 16th as we check out of the dorm.