Alt Process Sampler
with Bill Schwab
December 3-6, 2025
Photostock Workshop –
Cross Village, Michigan
I’ve long wanted to do a class like this, a sampling of several alternative processes at one time to give a basic understanding and work experience. There are a lot of things going on out there and it can be confusing and time consuming to find your way. The sourcing and mixing of chemistry, obtaining specialized equipment among other things can be time consuming and can deplete one’s creative energy.
We will be focusing in on 4 different processes in 4 days, which, while being a whirlwind proposition, will be a lot of fun and give you a great idea of what you might to work with on your own. It will also set you up with the knowledge to take it home to your own workspace. We’ll be going over equipment, sourcing of papers, chemistry and setting up your own “dimroom” at home.
Day 1 – Salted Paper Printing
Salted Paper is the very first photographic printing process and is a wonderfully simple, inexpensive, yet potentially complex process. We will go through chemistry, coating and printing as well as gold toning.
Day 2 – Cyanotype Printing and Toning
The Cyantotype is one of the more identifiable of the alternative processes with its blue coloring, but it can be toned and presented in many ways. There is also the new process versus the od that we will explore.
Day 3 – Palladium Printing
Perhaps the most permanent and arguably the most beautiful and precious of the aternative photographic processes are palladium prints. Often called “platinum” printing, palladium offers a longer scale image with a warm beauty as opposed to those made with the identicle platinum process.
Day 4 – Wet Plate Collodion
For the final day of ther workshop, you will learn to pour your own wet plate collodion, or “tin type” photographs. Perhaps one of the more intricate process to work with, it is a lot of fun and not too difficult as long as you have all of the gear and chemistry. Due to the season and limitations of the process, we will be working indoors with the process and working with a powerful lighting system to make our still lifes and portraits.
All supplies, materials and chemistry will be included in your workshop fee and you can expect to take home several prints in each process as well as at least 2 collodion plates.
Getting Here and Lodging
When visiting here, your closest airport option is Pellston, Michigan (PLN). Next is Traverse City (TVC) which is about 80 miles to our south. We are located north of Harbor Springs, Michigan near the tiny lakeside, Cross Village.
There are many options in our area for both food and lodging. There are also many VRBO options available. Please use Harbor Springs/Good Hart and Cross Village in your search.
Class Fee: 1200.00
Register Now!
Questions can be addressed via the Contact Page.
When registered, you will receive a letter explaining the how, where, when and why of it all. Lodging/food suggestions as well. We are located in a beautiful part of northern Michigan and will do what we can to make your stay more than just a workshop. ***Class size is limited.
**Keep in mind once the workshop has the required number of participants (3) and is declared an official go, your fee is non-refundable. Before signing on, please read our strict refund policy.