New York City Skylines: 9/11 Tribute
September 10 – 13, 2026
Printing Lab: Platinum and Silver
At a Glance
Location
Kansas
Tuition
$4,495
Dates
November 19 – 22, 2026
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 6 Guests
Collections
- Learning Lab
- Short Escape
Printing Lab: Platinum and Silver Photography Workshop
Hand-make Monochrome Platinum-palladium and Silver Gelatin Prints
November 19 – 22, 2026
- Explore what makes photographs successful in black and white printing
- Create your own handmade platinum-palladium and silver gelatin prints
- A 3:1 guest-to-Pro ratio for meaningful, personalized instruction
A strong print does not begin in the darkroom. It begins in the field, in the way you saw the scene, composed the frame, and understood the light in front of you. This workshop explores a simple but essential question: which of your photographs have the depth, structure, and presence to become truly expressive fine prints? By the end of the experience, that question is answered through handmade platinum-palladium and silver gelatin prints you can proudly hang on your wall.
This workshop is designed for photographers who want to better understand how black-and-white images translate from capture to final print, and why certain photographs carry greater depth, presence, and emotional weight when rendered on paper. Through a combination of online preparation, constructive feedback, and hands-on darkroom work, you’ll learn how to transform carefully created images into archival fine-art prints using both platinum-palladium and silver gelatin processes.
Before arriving in Kansas, we’ll hold two online group sessions focused on image selection and print preparation. Together, we’ll go through how to thoughtfully post-process your digital image files with printing in mind, exploring how tone, luminosity, contrast, and composition influence the final result. The emphasis throughout will be on strengthening what was already present in the original photograph, not heavy-handed editing. These sessions are designed so that you arrive at the workshop ready to spend as much time as possible in the darkroom.
Our in-person workshop takes place in a dedicated print lab in Liberal, Kansas, where you’ll work directly with both platinum-palladium and silver gelatin printing processes. You’ll hand-coat cotton rag paper for platinum printing, create enlarged negatives, and develop your own archival prints from start to finish. In the darkroom, you’ll produce traditional fiber-based silver gelatin prints under enlargers and safelights, adjusting exposure and contrast through careful testing and iteration.
Designed for a range of experience levels, this workshop combines technical instruction with thoughtful discussion about what makes an image successful in black and white. Throughout the experience, we’ll study how light defines form without color, how composition translates to print, and how different subjects lend themselves to different printing techniques.
By the end of the workshop, each participant will leave with handmade archival prints created entirely by hand from their own photographs, including a 16×20 platinum-palladium print and three 11×14 silver gelatin prints. More importantly, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how to create photographs with traditional printmaking in mind.
Your Pros
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
November 19, 2026: Introduction to Printmaking Techniques
Arrive at Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport (LBL), Liberal, Kansas before 10:30 AM today. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
Arrive at Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport, where group transfers will bring everyone to our private print studio in Liberal, Kansas. We recommend all guests arrive on the same inbound flight from Denver, scheduled to land around 10:30 AM.
After introductions and an overview of the workshop, we’ll begin reviewing participant files and discussing how images translate from digital capture into physical prints. Initial test prints and workflow demonstrations will help establish the foundation for the days ahead. Later in the afternoon, guests will have time to settle into the hotel, located directly across from the studio, before we regroup for a welcome dinner and discussion of the philosophy of black-and-white printing.
November 20, 2026: Lab Session on Black and White Vision, Platinum Palladium Printing
Our first full day begins in the lab with discussions around seeing in black and white, understanding tonal relationships, and evaluating which photographs are best suited for platinum-palladium printing. After preparing negatives and finalizing files, guests will begin creating their first platinum-palladium prints by hand. Working directly with coated cotton rag paper, we’ll guide you through exposure, development, and refinement while discussing how subtle decisions influence the final print.
Throughout the day, there will be opportunities for individual instruction, print critique, and additional experimentation for guests wishing to explore alternative interpretations of their images.
November 21, 2026: Advancing Skills in Large Format Printing, Silver Gelatin Techniques
Today focuses on producing larger 16×20 platinum-palladium prints and improving the craftsmanship and precision required for exhibition-quality work.
As the day progresses, we’ll transition into the darkroom to begin traditional silver gelatin printing under enlargers and safelights. Here, guests will learn how exposure, dodging, burning, paper choice, and contrast filtration shape the final character of a print.
Extended lab time allows everyone to continue refining their work while receiving one-on-one guidance from both instructors.
November 22, 2026: Final Print Refinements, Onward Departures
Following breakfast, guests will have additional lab time to complete any remaining prints, revisit earlier work, or finalize presentation details for their finished pieces. By late morning, group transfers will return guests to Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport for departing flights home, leaving with finished handmade prints and a far deeper understanding of monochrome printmaking.
Flights out can be made after 11:30 AM on November 22, 2026.
Fitness
Easy: Minimal walking within the studio/print lab.
Flights
Arrive at Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport (LBL), Liberal before 10:30 AM on November 19, 2026. Flights out can be made after 11:30 AM on November 22, 2026. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $315 supplement.
- One 16×20 platinum-palladium print
- Three 11×14 silver gelatin prints
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Many hours of basic and advanced Lightroom instruction.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Liberal, Kansas.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming available for $315 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $2,495 will hold your space in this workshop.
- The balance is due not later than August 1, 2026.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll learn how to transform digital images into fine-art prints using platinum-palladium and silver gelatin processes. This includes hand-coating paper, creating enlarged negatives, and developing prints. You'll also explore how tone, luminosity, contrast, and composition influence the final result.
Yes, this workshop is refundable. If you cancel more than 150 days before the start date, you receive a full refund. Cancellations between 150–91 days result in a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition, and between 90–61 days, a refund of payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are available within 60 days unless we fill your space, in which case you receive a 100% refund. All refunds are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee and are issued by the original payment method.
The workshop is limited to a maximum of 6 participants, ensuring personalized attention and ample opportunity for one-on-one instruction from the two professional photographers leading the workshop.
Bring your digital image files ready for review and printing. While all printing materials are provided, consider bringing a laptop with Lightroom installed for image preparation and any personal photography gear you might want to use during the workshop.
This workshop is rated as easy, with minimal walking required. Most activities take place within the studio and print lab, making it accessible for participants with varying fitness levels.
Yes, all meals, soft drinks, and snacks are included during the workshop. However, alcoholic beverages and any meals before or after the workshop dates are not included.
Yes, you need to arrange your own travel to and from Liberal, Kansas. Group transfers from Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport to the workshop location are provided, so plan to arrive before 10:30 AM on November 19, 2026.
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