REVERSING THE IMAGE w/ HYDROGEN PEROXIDE & COPPER CHLORIDE
Reversal development turns a negative into a positive—directly, without scanning or inversion. This workshop introduces a low-toxicity method using hydrogen peroxide and copper chloride. No dichromates. No permanganate. No bleach that stings the eyes. Copper is sourced from common fertilizers, designed for soil. Hydrogen peroxide replaces harsher agents. Together, they offer a slower but cleaner way to reverse the image on film.
We’ll cover:
How black-and-white reversal works
How to make a non-toxic bleach using copper-based fertilizer
How to use residues from previous plant and iron-based processes
How to control contrast, density, and detail
Loading and processing in a 100’ Lomo tank
By the end, we’ll project our results and reflect on what it means to reuse, re-imagine, and re-see an image—rooted in regenerative practice, not just exposure.
INSTRUCTION: FIVE+ HOUR DEMONSTRATION in 1 Session
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH - FROM 5 PM - 10 PM
LOCATION: MONO HQ 33 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn NY 5 min walk from 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, B, D, N, Q, R, & G trains.
INSTRUCTOR/S: Andrés Pardo of Curioso Lab, Uruguay
Andrés Pardo Piccone is an experimental filmmaker, editor, professor, and researcher based in Montevideo, Uruguay. With over 25 years of experience in film production and post-production, he has worked across documentary, fiction, and experimental cinema. He is the founder of CuriosoLab, a space for exploring sustainable photography and low-impact image-making rooted in everyday environments. His recent work focuses on historical photo processes, alternative chemistry, and the use of local or discarded materials in the film lab. He is the author of Back to Basics and A Guide to Ecological Photo-chemistry, and is currently researching Edward Bach solarization as a way to extract energy for energy-driven developers. His ongoing projects include a critical and philosophical investigation into image-making, sustainability, and the potential of analog practices to rethink our relationship with capitalism, technology, nature, and time.
INCLUDES: FIVE+ HOURS in 1 classroom instruction session. Each participant will film a self portrait of themselves on 16mm when they arrive. MONO will supply the Bolex camera, 16mm film stock and lighting studio. The portraits will be used to demonstrate the black and white reversal process. Each person will leave with a section of themselves developed with the hydrogen peroxide and copper chloride for their notes. + All participants will receive 100’ of FOMAPAN 100R Black and White reversal film to take home for further experimentation. All camera equipment, film stock, chemistry, materials, course packet and safety equipment will be provided.
COURSE CAP: Limited to 12 participants
PRICE: $225 - 305 Sliding scale. In an effort to make the workshops more accessible to the community at large we have introduced a sliding scale option (below) All options are equal to one registration, and your selection will remain private.